High Hopes for the Future of Gilroy Gang Task Force

The Gilroy Gang Task Force met Thursday to discuss ways to make a bigger impact on the community.  

The Gilroy Gang Task Force, a committee composed of police, government and community members, is focused on targeted outreach programs for kids at risk of joining gangs.

Thursday's meeting was to discuss how to make that happen in the coming year, including modeling the task force after a similar, highly successful organization in San Jose.

“I think it’s going to be something powerful for our youth and the community,” said Executive Director Greg Garcia about the future plans for the task force. 

“We have created a subcommittee to look at ways to have a stronger proactive task force,” said Councilman Dion Bracco, who represents the council on the task force.

Members read through an action plan developed at the City Council retreat this weekend. They broke into smaller groups to discuss what items on the list were the highest priorities. When the task force reconvened, members discussed intervention and prevention strategies.  

The committee desires to expand itself with new members from different organizations. It plans to send a letter to the school district to request that a board member join the committee.   

Another idea presented was to have block parties in high crime areas of the city to let the community know what the task force has to offer.  

The task force also elected new officers—Alex Dorado will serve as president, Tony Boykins as vice president, Sandra Sammut as secretary, Gregg Giusiana as treasurer and Brandy Pereira as parlimentarian.  

The task force will have its next meeting March 2.