Yakima County Gang Court Running Short on Funds

Yakima County Gang Court, while making an impact on the community is running short of funding. And that is hampering the programs’ ability to turn more lives around says County Court Consultant Harold Dehlia. He says currently 6 people are being helped by the year long program that is been in operation for the last 2 and a half years.

So far 13 people have graduated from the program. But Dehlia says “if we had more resources we could help up to 30 kids every year.” The program involves parents and teachers and requires a weekly visit with the court to make sure rules are being followed. Dehlia says the county is trying to gain State and Federal grants to expand the Gang Court program which is the first such court in the country.

Those in the program are referred by the prosecutors’ office after being convicted of a gang related crime.