For Immediate Release: March 4, 2008
Contact: Karen Clifton
Phone: (559) 445-5532

Sacramento, CA - Assemblymember Juan Arambula (D-Fresno) today announced that the San Joaquin Valley has done well in the most recent round of state funding for gang prevention and intervention.

Arambula, who chairs the Assembly Budget Subcommittee that oversees these public safety programs, announced that Valley agencies had been awarded the full 22% of the $16.5 million available for enforcement, education, and job placement programs to keep potential gang members off the streets.  The region is home to approximately 10% of the state's population.

In recognition of the Valley's unique public safety and unemployment issues, Arambula had prodded the administration through oversight hearings to release the funds as soon as possible.  According to Arambula, he twice brought top officials from the State Office of Emergency Services to Fresno to hear from local law enforcement agencies about their needs and to learn about the region's innovative gang prevention efforts.

The California Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention initiative (CalGRIP) grants were announced as follows:

TOTAL STATEWIDE
$16.5 million

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY TOTAL
$3,640,345
 

Fresno County (total $1,510,880)

• City of Fresno - $400,000
• City of Sanger - $400,000
• CBO – Fresno County Economic Opportunities Project - $160,000 CBO – Huron Enterprise Community - $150,880
• EDD – Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission - $400,000

• City of Bakersfield - $154,052

Madera County

• City of Madera - $400,000

• CBO – Merced Boys and Girls Club - $94,996
• EDD – Merced County -- $400,000
   

• EDD – San Joaquin (Stockton) - $400,000
   

• City of Visalia - $280,417
• EDD – Community Services and Employment Training - $400,000