96-069 - Grant Award Agreement for the Santa Ana Community Action Network Program

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Prior to the grant project, these resources had not been utilized by the target population to any great extent. The majority of Recreation and Community Services programs had not been directly promoted in the target area. The project enabled staff to conduct direct outreach to the residents in the target area and to increase participation in youth sports, youth excursions, Project PRIDE and Safe Haven activities, and city-wide special events. CITY OF SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT/OPERATION ROUND-UP Prior to the start of the grant project, the Santa Aha Police Department initiated a four-phase program conducted by a multi-agency law enforcement task force designed to address the terrorism and acts of violence perpetrated by gang members and to restore order to the Flower Street Park neighborhood. The activities conducted by the Santa Aha Police Department in the target area included a high degree of response to calls related to crimes committed in the area. The efforts of the SAPD were successful in reducing the level of gang and drug activity in the area, however, it placed police officers in a negative role on a regular basis because they are constantly addressing problem behaviors. Before the grant project started, residents in the area did not have the opportunity to see police officers in a positive manner. Because of the extremely high need for police response to crime in the area, there was a gap in positive police interaction with the community. Police officers did not have the resources to devote the extra time needed to participate in community awareness and education activities. During the first year of the grant project, police officers became involved in a wide range of positive neighborhood activities and educational projects. Officers have been stationed at Carver and Flower Street Park in order to establish a positive presence and to alleviate the fears of residents due to increased drive-by shootings and the release of gang members who have served their time. Also, officers organized several community clean-up days and a community safety day as part of the grant project in which residents took an active part and were educated on safety strategies. Officers also identified individual homes in need of cleaning up, and volunteered side by side with residents on these projects. Additionally, an increased foot patrol was · established around the community to win the confidence of residents and to allow officers to meet them personally and to take reports. Officers provided over 300 overtime hours although they were only budgeted for 70 because of the importance placed on this effort in view of the recent circumstances. CITY OF SANTA ANA PUBLIC LIBRARY YOUTH PROGRAMS The purpose of the City of Santa Ana Public is to provide timely materials and quality programs to meet the educational, recreational, and cultural needs of youths, infancy through high school. It provides reader advisory services and information for children, young adults, parents, and teachers; evaluates the purchase of materials for youths; plans, executes and coordinates programs, including storytimes, exhibits, promotional and community awareness activities; and conducts school visits and library tours.