Resolution - 2021-31RESOLUTION NO. 2021-31
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA,
CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING MAY AS GANG
AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH
WHEREAS, this Resolution designates the month of May, in perpetuity, as Gang
Awareness and Prevention Month for all cities and organizations that would choose to adopt its
intrinsic content; which solidifies the commitment of the cities that have come together as one in
a consolidated and congruent coalition fighting gang violence and that are recognized and formed
as the San Gabriel Valley Coalition of Mayors Against Gang Violence ('Coalition'); and
WHEREAS, the observation of May as Gang Awareness and Prevention Month shall seine
an annual reminder that renews the commitment to working in a regional and collaborative effort;
and
WHEREAS, the Coalition is an Executive Committee farmed to coalesce and combine
and share a common practice, direction and value in eradicating hate, violence, and gang affiliated
crimes; 8 is also respected and realized that individual choice has long been a driving force in gang
related involvement and recruitment into its grasp of criminal enterprise; and
WHEREAS, it is in keeping with that personal individual freedom that the Coalition must
involve itself in directing, making available and positioning itself as a driving force and
empowering its partners to create positive change for every individual in eliminating generational
gang affiliation, stunting recruitment into gangs and action to reduce crimes that are driven by
animosity, hatred and retaliation by gangs against each other, violence impacting the public,
violations of basic decency and crimes against humanity; and
WHEREAS, the Coalition encourages cities and constituents across the San Gabriel
Valley, adjoining valleys and counties and the State, to observe the month of May with appropriate
programs, ceremonies, and activities including significant outreach to prevent future gang activity
and honor those who have lost their lives due to gang related crimes and activity; and
WHEREAS, the Coalition was formed to address all past suffering and pain delivered by
acts of horrific violence in all forms, and specifically gang violence knowing and understanding
that one person, one city, one idea, one pathway, and one single resolution fall short of addressing
this criminal pandemic which has generationally struck down hope, progress and a finite for those
involved and those impacted; and
WHEREAS, Gabriela Elizabeth De Haro-Perez was the impetus, catalyst and propelling
reason that the Coalition was formed, to not only address the senseless and callous attack resulting
in her death, but to pay respect and honor and gratitude for who she was, the firhre she was building
and the family that she left. Other tragic victims of heinous gang related crimes do not pale in
comparison regardless of time, space or distance. All are remembered and cherished and serve to
create the urgency that this coalition understands as it rises to the highest level of tribute and
respect which will be transmitted by operative action nurtured to impactful results by the coahtio ns
effective leadership in demanding both short and long-term results; and
WHEREAS, gang violence was responsible for an average of 2,000 gang -related
homicides each year, according to 2007 to 2012 data from the National Youth Gang Center, and
as we enter 2021 with gang affiliated crime still impacting our peaceful, hard-working and caring
communities, Californians everywhere are concerned, want change and are willing to engage in
making a positive impact on the lives of those who have made the unfortunate decision to be
involved in being the problem; and
WHEREAS, the solution to gang violence is found in the acknowledgment that gangs
exist, pose a real and present danger to public safety, ruin lives, destroy families, target youth who
are vulnerable, and can take the lives of innocent victims unaffiliated with gang activity; and
WHEREAS, all Californians must work together to ensure first responders do not have to
respond to crime scenes and dying victims in dangerous surroundings where they can become the
next target; and
WHEREAS, local communities need to learn and understand that gang affiliation and
activity is preventable given responsible approaches and early intervention and the residents of the
San Gabriel Valley and beyond must have the will, courage, and inner strength to stand up and
engage their moral obligation as citizens of their community to help by deterring youth and their
families from violence by educating them how to form stronger family bonds; and
WHEREAS, to prevent youth from joining gangs, multiple strategies and set -vices must
be employed, and programs designed for early intervention including local programs such as the
Youth Athletic League, City youth leadership programs, school job programs; and
WHEREAS, participation in these programs can lead to change that can only occur with
direction and advice, guidance, instruction, hard -work, involvement, and a willingness to reach
out to those in need; and
WHEREAS, it is essential to continue to work together by actively organizing events to
prevent gang violence and to encourage entities to be involved in gang prevention education that
can influence the youth through outreach presentations, teaching the principles of nonviolence,
establish programs that will have continuity as times change, and organize events in order to help
diminish the number of gang -related crimes and deaths; and
WHEREAS, the Coalition along with residents throughout California stands together to
honor those who have lost their lives due to gang activity, use their legacy to bond together, use
their story to voice awareness, and ultimately seek to create a paradigm shift in the minds of at -
risk youth and them families;
WHEREAS, each Californian has a right to live in a safe gang -free neighborhood without
fearing for his or her life or his or her family members' lives and concerned parents, youth,
community groups, businesses, churches, and educators should accept this challenge to stop gangs
by building a better future for our children and for the nation and protect the right to live safe and
free; and
WHEREAS, by designating May as Gang Awareness and Prevention Month communities
take the initial step of ridding themselves of gangs, change lives, and teach students how to
organize peacefully like the leader Dr. Marlin Luther King, Jr. and other prolific ministers and
emissaries of peace.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA,
CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The above recitals are hue and correct and are incorporated herein by
reference.
SECTION 2. The City of West Covina, working in collaboration and partnership with the
cities of Baldwin Park, Covina, El Monte, Industry, South El Monte, Walnut, and West Covina,
hereby designates the month of May, in perpetuity, as Gang Awareness and Prevention Month
SECTION 3. The City of West Covina encourages cities and constituents across the state
to observe the month of May with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities to prevent
future gang activity and honor those who lost their lives due to gang activity.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk of the City of West Covina will transmit copies of this
Resolution in an appropriate manner that will announce and signify this resolution to the residents
of this caring and compassionate community.
SECTION 5. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution and shall enter
it into the book of original resolutions.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of April, 2021.
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Thoma P. D rie
City Attorney
ATTEST /
C./
Lisa S rrick
Assis t City Clerk
I, LISA SBERRICK, Assistant City Clerk of the City of West Covina, California, do
hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2021-31 was duly adopted by the City Council of
the City of West Covina, California, at a regular meeting thereof held on the 20th day of April,
2021, by the following vote of the City Council:
AYES: Castellanos, Diaz, Lopez-Viado, Tabatabai, Wu
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
�n
Lisa errick
Ass nt City Clerk