Anti-Gang Strategy Meeting Brings Lakewood Leaders Together

Latin_Meeting_lichtenstienSeveral Lakewood leaders met at the Lakewood Township Municipal Building recently to discuss their thoughts about anti-gang programs that might attract vulnerable children between the ages of seven and 14. Mayor Menashe Miller and Lakewood Township officials have applied for a three-year federal grant of $750,000.00 in the hopes of developing programs that focus on primary prevention in young children.

According to Joanne Bergin, the grant writer, studies conducted by the federal government have shown that children between the ages of 7 and 14 are most vulnerable to gang recruitment; therefore, this program focuses on a combination of approaches including gang-specific school curriculum, after-school activities and family education and support.

The anti-gang strategy meeting is one of many being held in Lakewood with different community groups and local leaders to enhance collaborative efforts to develop gang prevention programs.

Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein, who has met with officials from other towns about their programs and projects to combat the appeal of gangs, said, “We are looking into the Phoenix Curriculum, a program to help teachers. In addition to the schools, we are reaching out to our community leaders through churches, synagogues, and social service organizations.”  

Committeeman Lichtenstein asked members of the anti-gang strategy committee to host meetings during which township officials could outline possible gang-prevention programs and hear ideas and feedback from parents in order to realistically develop and implement youth programs, such as sports, field trips, and events not only in school but after school and during the summer time; programs for families to help them help their kids; and programs in the community that would help everyone form a bond that would help and protect children.

Committee Lichtenstein urges residents to call the Quality of Life hotline at 732-942-5003 to report unusual activity in any abandoned houses or apartments; or if they notice any drug activity, illegal activity, or gang activity in general; or if they see any areas tagged by gang graffiti. [Submitted to TLS]

Photo Caption: (l to rt) Frances Kirschner, Frantasy Enterprises, PR Firm; Pastor Raquel Salguero, Missionary Pentecostal Church; Ken Seda, President Puerto Rican Civic Association; Joanne Bergin, Grant Writer; Ervin Oross, director of the Department of Community Development ; and Meir Lichtenstein, Lakewood Township Committeeman.

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1 COMMENT

  1. “… Mayor Menashe Miller and Lakewood Township officials have applied for a three-year federal grant of $750,000.00…”

    If they get the grant I want TLS to provide a special section showing where every cent of the money is going. Three-quarters of a million dollars is a lot of TAXPAYER funded money. And don’t say it’s federal money – the feds get the money from the tax payers, like every other town, city, state, does. And I am a Tax Payer.

    “…Quality of Life hotline …” – Now there is a waste of money. I called a few times. Didn’t do any good. Each time I called them I got the run-around. Then I called LPD and got action.

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