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FORWARD <br />The Commission would like to thank the residents of Santa Ana for their support <br />and contributions to the Commission's activities and deliberations during the past year. <br />The community's contributions in terms of input and ideas were invaluable in focusing <br />the Commission's review on the critical aspects of the gang problem. During the <br />neighborhood meetings and walking tours, commissioners, city staff and community <br />members were able to see firsthand the conditions that contribute to the gang problem, <br />and were able to establish lines of communication that will undoubtedly lead to more <br />effective and sustainable solutions in the future. In addition, the Commission wishes to <br />thank the Santa Ana City Council and the City Manager for their support in establishing <br />the Early Prevention and Intervention Commission. Without their foresight and belief in <br />systemic change, no effort to encourage long-term solutions could be undertaken. <br />This report will provide the City Council with an outline of the Commission's <br />progress to date, as well as a set of interim recommendations that begin the process of <br />encouraging truly systemic changes in how public and private entities view and deal <br />with the gang problem. The Commission hopes that these efforts will lead to effective, <br />measurable and sustainable strategies to reduce gang activity and help young people <br />avoid joining gangs. <br />Finally, the Commission wishes to acknowledge how difficult and complex the <br />task of addressing gang activity and violence can be. The quote from federal officials in <br />the Wyrick and Howell 2004 work illustrates the point, "Although thousands of programs <br />have been implemented..., the ongoing difficulties with youth gangs make one lesson <br />very clear.' there are no quick fixes or easy solutions for the problems that youth gangs <br />create or the problems that create youth gangs." Only by working together with <br />steadfast focus and determination will we begin to create thriving, empowered and safe <br />communities. <br />EPIC Progress Report to City Council - 2008 <br />Page 2 <br />19D-3 <br />