At-Risk Youth Issue

Continues

Youth involvement in

gangs is a serious problem across the country, whether you’re in a big city or

the land of suburbia. Many of us see gang graffiti yet glance over it as we

have become numb to the blight and crime. The National Gang Center reports that

over the past decade, annual estimates of the number of gang members have

averaged around 770,000 nationally.

Shift Gang

Graffiti to Automotive Repair and Car Customization

Police departments are

stretched thin for resources, yet officers all across our country create or

volunteer to help their community. Dragg Racing Against Gangs & Graffiti

(DRAGG) https://bit.ly/DRAGGTeam is an innovative afterschool

program in the City of Oxnard California where police officers and people from

the automotive industry mentor local high school students.

A new spin on an old

idea; keep the youth focused on the future with positive influences and they

will stay out of trouble. This positive learning opportunity teaches youth

responsibility and respect for others in the unique environment of the

automotive industry, while gaining hands on exposure to knowledge of automotive

careers. These programs are also active in Phoenix, AZ, and this month launched

in Los Angeles!

We are excited to talk

with DRAGG Executive Director Sargeant Woodruff, with the Oxnard Police

Department, and DRAGG Phoenix Director Officer Teerink, with the Phoenix Police

Department, to talk about the successes and impact the DRAGG program is having

on young people. Follow them on Instagram or Twitter.