Los Angeles, CA—On Monday, August 10, 2009, Rep. Diane E. Watson  announced the introduction of new legislation aimed at gang violence reduction. H.R. 3526 introduces guidelines for effective and holistic gang intervention strategies for the city of Los Angeles and for the nation. Los Angeles County City Councilman Tony Cardenas and local gang intervention specialists attended the press conference held at Communities in Schools in North Hills, California.

The Tony Cardenas Community-Based Gang Intervention Bill (H.R. 3526) was presented at the press conference which was attended by leading professionals in the field of gang prevention and intervention including Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Michel Moore and Save Our Future, Maximum Forces and Communities in Schools. Many of the groups in attendance collaborated with Rep. Watson and Councilman Cardenas in crafting the legislation.  

“Los Angeles gave the world the Crips and the Bloods,” said Rep. Watson. "H.R. 3526 was created to bring forth hope, baseline strategies and the collective will for America to see the transformation of ‘gang activity’ into ‘gain activity’ for our society, our youth, and for our future.”  

"H.R. 3526 is quite unique in contrast to other gang legislation introduced in Congress. It calls for specific preventative and rehabilitative services to be provided in addition to evidence-based gang-reduction practices. It also provides for job career training, development and placement and, most notably, provides comprehensive mental health services to youth and families affected by gang violence or involvement.”   

After the press conference, Rep. Watson visited Save Our Future, a school for youth and families at risk for gang activities which provides an alternative educational outlet towards completing a high school diploma. She also participated in a roundtable discussion at Maximum Forces, an entity which educates and trains groups in gang violence intervention. Later that day, Rep. Watson was honored at a reception at the Los Angeles County City Hall where she was presented with a council resolution for her work in gang violence prevention.  

"I rode in a limo with you and you rode in a bus with me and that is the epitome of a true politician,” said T-Rodgers, a gang intervention specialist who attended the Save Our Future luncheon. “When no one else looked at us--the gang community, Diane Watson looked at us."