Sacramento – Assembly Member Anna M. Caballero, Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Youth Violence Prevention, today issued this statement regarding Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Appointment of former U.S. attorney Paul Seave as state director of gang and youth violence policy, and the appointment of a ten-person advisory team.

“I’m pleased that the governor has moved to appoint a single individual who can help coordinate a statewide response to the challenge of preventing youth violence.  Local communities have to date been largely left on their own to work out solutions.  Youth violence is at a crisis stage statewide, and this is an opportunity to form a partnership with our local cities and counties.

“While specific solutions to youth violence will always be local, communities need help which only the state can provide.  That help comes in the form of better coordination among state agencies, and state resources that are better aligned with the prevention and intervention activities that works.  We also need accountability which can only come when we track results.