WASHINGTON, DC - U. S. Senator Herb Kohl today included $150,000 for the City of Racine for gang prevention efforts as part of the FY2011 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Bill.  Kohl is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which approved the bill today, and has made this project a priority for funding.  

"Some of the most successful investments of federal crime prevention funds are public-private partnerships that join unique strengths toward a common goal.  We hope to see good results from Racine's efforts to combat gang violence and to diminish the lure of gang culture among young people before trouble starts," Kohl said.  

With this funding, the City of Racine will establish and oversee a collaborative gang prevention initiative made up of members of the Racine Police Department, public schools, the State Attorney's Office and the Department of Health and Human Services.  The project will coordinate the activities of public agencies and private organizations that are involved in anti-gang efforts, resulting in a more efficient implementation of anti-gang strategies.   

The C-J-S Appropriations bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration.  The 2011 fiscal year begins on October 1, 2010.