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85A. DISCUSS CURRENT AND PROPOSED STRATEGY(IES) TO ADDRESS GUN <br />VIOLENCE AND GANG SHOOTINGS, AND DIRECT STAFF ACCORDINGLY — <br />Mayor Pro Tern Martinez <br />The following spoke on the matter: <br />• Rev. Lee De Leon, request consideration Every Child Connected proposal. <br />• Alan Woo, agreed with Reverend De Leon; urged support for proposal. <br />• Johnathan Hernandez, spoke of the economic behind of the current decision <br />making process. <br />• Fatima Avalos, opined that youth investments needed in considering <br />strategies. <br />• Nellie Ann Le Gaspe, commented on need to have a united front. <br />• Moises Vazquez, commented on need to invest in our youth. <br />• Dulce Savedra, spoke of recent shooting incident; expressed support to <br />address issue. <br />• Ana Urzua, opined that there is an unacceptable increase in gang violence; <br />enforcement is not the answer but prevention services. <br />• Alex Vega, recounted personal experience with gang violence. <br />Council discussion ensued. <br />Mayor Pro Tern Martinez, opined that City is safe for a city of similar size; any <br />death is senseless; spoke of holistic approach to solving issues; supports <br />implementation of Project Longevity in New Haven; focus on root of the spike in <br />violence; community fear exists. <br />Police Chief Rojas, spoke of robust enforcement program; department is <br />focused on holistic approach that is needed to reduce gang violence, have used <br />gang injunction and GRIP program, important to include faith based and non- <br />profit organizations. <br />Mayor Pro Tern Martinez, indicated that she will be hosting Project Kinship <br />along with Santa Ana Unified School District Boardmember, Valerie Amezcua <br />on April 21St at 10 a.m.; leverage all resources and continue to have <br />discussions; recounted past EPIC Commission that was dissolved due to <br />budgetary concerns. <br />Councilmember Benavides, opined that Police Department addressing <br />symptom; need to solve root of the problem. <br />Councilmember Villegas, opined that many underlying issues contribute to <br />delinquency; change starts at home; need to work together. <br />Councilmember Solorio, number of pedestrian deaths may be higher than gang <br />related deaths; consider bringing back red light cameras that have improved <br />technology features; City has experienced spike in crime; Police Department <br />needs to be focused on community oriented policies and prevention including <br />solving crimes; CDBG funding approval may have impact in assisting with this <br />CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 22 APRIL 18, 2017 <br />