19D - EPIC ANNUAL REPORT - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Strengthening the family unit must be high on the priority list. The Commission heard from community members who emphasized the importance of the family in reducing delinquency and increasing the likelihood of graduation from high school. • Community-based infrastructure must become a priority with government at all levels, including streets, lighting and general maintenance. There is frustration in some neighborhoods with regard to police services, having a clean community, public maintenance, education and job training. • Graffiti continues to be a critical problem in many parts of the City. This is a critical issue that can lead to more serious violations. • The private sector needs to get more involved in early prevention and intervention efforts by working with the Commission and other organizations, both public and private. • The Commission has to become better connected to other groups, government and the community in order to be successful. Efforts must be made during 2008 to provide better coordination of programs and services and avoid duplication of effort. • Youth must be set as a highly important priority by the City and the Council, as well as all other government organizations. • The Commission has diverse and dynamic representation from varied groups and organizations. • Some commissioners have expressed a lack of mission clarity, especially early on, due to the Commission's structure and somewhat contradictory ordinance language. The Commission will review the ordinance in 2008 and will make recommendations for any needed changes. • Awareness and visibility regarding the Commission's efforts need to be increased through media exposure and attendance at meetings of other organizations. • The community wants to build better and more productive relationships with law enforcement agencies and other government agencies that can address at-risk youth. • The commission studied ten gang related areas and determined four specific areas were a representative sample of city-wide gang problems for an assessment. EPIC Progress Report to City Council - 2008 Page 21 19D-22