For Immediate Release: February 1, 2008
Contact: Karen Clifton
Phone: (559) 445-5532
Assemblymember Juan Arambula
Answers the Call to End Gang Violence
Fresno, CA – Phone lines lit up today as Assemblymember Juan Arambula (D-Fresno) and officers from the Valley Police Departments and the California Highway Patrol answered questions during the first-ever Telephone Town Hall Meeting on gang violence prevention.
According to Arambula more than 2000 calls were logged at the first-ever Telephone Town Hall meeting. The town hall offered participants an easy and accessible way to take part in the Town Hall without leaving the comfort of their homes. Arambula also stated that local residents throughout the 31st Assembly District were invited to call the toll-free number and listen or ask questions of Assemblymember Arambula and local law enforcement leaders.
“Criminal street gang activity has grown to almost epidemic proportions in some areas of the state,” said Assemblymember Arambula. “In Fresno County alone, 25% of homicides are gang related and in other communities that number is as high as 75%. We cannot let this problem plaque our communities any longer.”
Earlier in the day, Assemblymember Arambula hosted a Budget Subcommittee hearing that provided an overview of Cal-Grip funding available to law enforcement agencies for anti-gang programs. While the hearing was open to the public, Arambula stated that many community members could not attend because it was held during the work week. A telephone town hall provided another outlet for the public to voice their concerns.
“Our local law enforcement agencies are doing a good job of cracking down on gang violence in our communities. But more needs to be done,” said Assemblymember Arambula. “A telephone town hall is a great tool for law enforcement to learn from community members and provides a safe and convenient way for participants to express their ideas and concerns.”
Assemblymember Arambula and law enforcement leaders answered questions from community members for more than an hour. Arambula hopes to hold more telephone town halls in the near future.