Rep. Carolyn McCarthy To Present County Executive Suozzi With Check

Mineola, N.Y- The Nassau County Youth Board will receive $221,995 in funding through the Federal Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention that will be used to support education, career development and job placement services, Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi announced Monday with Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Fourth District). The services are aimed at current and former gang involved youth at imminent risk of youth violence and/or involved in gang activity.

County Executive Suozzi and Congresswoman McCarthy were joined by Nassau County Police Commissioner James Lawrence, Inspector Robert Turk of the Taskforce Against Gangs (TAG), Youth Board Director George Siberon, and Nassau County Legislators Roger Corbin (D-Westbury) and David Mejias (D-North Massapequa).

This earmark allocation, advocated for by Congresswoman McCarthy, will be used to support education, career development and job placement services for current and former gang involved youth at imminent risk of youth violence and/or involved in gang activity. Representatives from the awarded agencies will also attend.

In addition to the allocations provided for the Nassau County Youth Board and the Nassau County Police Department, agencies funded include the Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County, and STRONG Youth Inc.

"We must use every resource at our disposal to deter youth from joining gangs and the importance of agencies and programs that provide services such as career development and job placements cannot be overstated," said County Executive Suozzi. "We want to target youth violence in our communities and better educate our young people of the dangers of gang involvement including crime, injury, death, and destruction of their family life and their future."

"Gang violence presents a serious challenge to our community, but this funding will help kids make the right decision when confronted with the false promises of gang membership. I am confident this program will become a model for other communities throughout the United States," said Congresswoman McCarthy. "Nassau County will lead the way in combating violence at the source through partnerships with schools, law enforcement, community organizations and most importantly, kids and parents."

"This funding affords us the opportunity to provide paid employment as well as career and employability skills training," said Inspector Turk. "It provides at-risk youth with an alternative to the allure of gang membership."

"The Nassau County Youth Board is thankful to Congresswoman McCarthy and County Executive Suozzi for their support in attaining these funds," Director Siberon said. "Youth violence and gangs defy an easy solution or single strategy. This initiative will work with the Nassau County Police Department, Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County and STRONG Youth, Inc. to educate the broader community and provide viable options for youth at imminent risk of, or involved in, gang activity."

The TAG Coordinator's Office has coordinated law enforcement efforts with the 17 villages and two city police departments within Nassau County as well as New York City, Suffolk County, New York State Police and federal agencies, including the FBI Street Gangs Taskforce, ICE, ATF, and DEA. In addition, the 11 Nassau County TAG coalition partners meet on a regular basis to discuss anti-violence strategies and initiatives, and Gang Awareness Presentations are conducted throughout the County and are made available upon request.

As a result of these efforts, Nassau County saw more than a 37% decrease in gang-related incidents last year. This year, gang related arrests are up more than 15%, gang member gun arrests are up almost 4% and other weapons arrests are up 57%.