It also explains the levels of gang involvement in a six-minute video, and it offers resources for parents and teachers who want to keep kids out of gangs.
Developed by Santa Cruz police and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education in a roughly year-long project, police this week launched a new website for Basta, the broad-based apprehension, suppression, treatment and alternatives program. The website is at www.basta.santacruz.k12.ca.us.
"It's really a resource for the community to keep an eye out for the warning signs and keep up with the trends," said Santa Cruz Deputy Police Chief Rick Martinez.
"This is all local, county gang information. We really want to put parents on high alert and have them see the warning signs clearly."
Basta, which means "enough" in Spanish, is a countywide group that tries to prevent youth gang violence, school truancy, suspensions, expulsions and alcohol and drug abuse. Its new website is mainly for parents and teachers to recognize gang behavior in all its forms.
Gang members often pressure youths in middle school, authorities said, and parents are often in denial that their children are involved. The site helps everyone get on the same page, and it offers intervention strategies.
Some tips are as simple as not letting children practice making gang signs with their hands, others take more work, such as getting them more involved in school and after-school activities.
The Criminal Justice Council of Santa Cruz County, County Probation, County Gang Task Force, County Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Watsonville police participated in the project. Santa Cruz police officer Joe Hernandez and County Office of Education Project Coordinator Denise Pitman-Rosas also worked hard on the site, Martinez said.
Videos interviews on the site tackle the reasons teens get involved in gangs and what parents can do. They include discussions with Santa Cruz County youths, parents, educators, counselors, police and probation officers.
For teachers, the site offers class discussion questions, graffiti removal information, anonymous tip lines and other resources.
Bryan Wall, deputy superintendent of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, said he hopes people will check out the site.
Wall said, "This website is really meant to be a tool for our community."
Basta website
What: A new website provides detailed information on gangs in Santa Cruz County. The site was developed by police in Santa Cruz and Watsonville and groups including the County Office of Education and Basta, the broad-based apprehension, suppression, treatment and alternatives program.Where: www.basta.santacruz.k12.ca.us
Why: The site aims to educate parents, teachers and teens about gang colors, symbols and dangers so people can recognize the warning signs of gang activity.
©2014 the Santa Cruz Sentinel (Scotts Valley, Calif.)
