Studies show that a balance of prevention, intervention, and suppression strategies are critical for reducing gang activity in communities. Prevention programs can target youth at risk of gang involvement and help reduce the number who join gangs. Intervention programs and strategies can provide services for younger youth who are actively involved in gangs to steer them away. Measure X revenue is helping to expand these strategies in Oceanside.
In fiscal year 2023/24, the City is committing $800,000 to a wide variety of prevention, intervention, and suppression programs serving more than 800 youth in Oceanside. The addition of another $200,000 in Measure X funding to implement further programming will be evaluated by the City Council in September.
City staff are working with community organizations throughout Oceanside to partner on programs that feature a mentorship component with the goal to divert Oceanside youth from engaging in gang and drug activity, which enhances community safety and provides a pathway for brighter futures.
All of the following programs will collect data and will be evaluated throughout the year to ensure we are funding programs that have a maximum impact on Oceanside youth.