Yakima City Council to Accept Federal Gang Grant

Yakima City Council members are expected to accept a federal grant for $230,000 to create a gang intervention program at area middle schools at the next council meeting set for November 5. The grant from the Department of Justice will be used to create gang suppression programs at Lewis and Clark, Washington, Franklin and Wilson middle schools. The Youth Leadership program for 6th grade students is all inclusive that includes meeting with students and parents over a 3 year period in an effort to steer students away from joining gangs. The program will be administered by the city of Yakima, the Yakima School District and ESD 105. about 75 students are expected to be part of the gang intervention program each year.