BATTLE PLAN War against gangs

Judge Theresa Dellick of Mahoning County Juvenile Court believes a program developed by the federal justice department can help combat Youngstown's gang problem. That program has four steps:
Scanning calls for a community to identify its gang problems. The community should find out where a gang operates and how it can be classified.
Analysis calls for a community to determine what it needs to do to address its gang problems. The community can conduct a survey to learn what services are available in the area. It also can use statistics and talk with government officials to define the problem.
Response calls for a community to create a plan to combat the gang problem. The plan can include strategies to discourage gang membership as well as avenues young people can use to leave gangs. It also helps government agencies, elected officials and local residents work together to combat the problem.
Assessment calls for a community to determine how the plan affected the gang problem. It also allows it to change the plan and create a timeline for its implementation.
Source: Federal Bureau of Justice Assistance