There is no issue that causes more fear than gang violence in our communities. We're on pace for the deadliest year on record for murders, and if that doesn't jar state and local officials into greater action, nothing can.

Here in Washington, I'm doing my best to support the efforts of the Salinas Police Department and the Monterey County Sheriff's Department. Over the past two years, the federal government has provided nearly $2 million for the creation of the Joint Gang Task Force and more than $1 million for the Silver Star Gang Prevention and Intervention Program.

Money, of course, cannot cure this disease. It will take effort by every member of the community, not just our elected officials. There is no simple solution. It will take a combination of enforcement AND prevention to address the gangs who have taken up residence here. We must patrol our streets, but we must also keep children from joining gangs in the first place.

It's my hope that city and county officials will work to energize all of the public and get all stakeholders involved.

Prevention

Silver Star is the gang prevention and intervention component of the Monterey County Joint Gang Task force. The program's resource center is a collaboration of several community agencies offering a one-stop shop for children and young adults who need help in the areas of gang involvement, substance abuse, truancy, employment, mental health and family conflict.

The program provides counseling, educational and job preparation services and serves more than 3,000 minors each year. Through my work on the House Appropriations Committee, the program has received $1.35 million over the past few years.

Enforcement

The Street Violence and Anti-Gang Project is the countywide task force that is working to quell gang violence. The task force was created in March 2005 and is made up of personnel from the California Highway Patrol, the Salinas Police Department and the Monterey County Sheriff's Department, Probation Department and District Attorney's office. We have succeeded in securing more than $2 million since 2005 for the program.