: News

Filed Under:

School Budget Cuts Worry Anti-Gang Groups

February 4, 2010
Play associated audio
comments

By Jonathan Wilson

Law enforcement groups and their non-profit partners in Northern Virginia say the success they've experienced fighting the spread of gangs could be threatened by the tough economic times.

Bob Bermingham, Director of Fairfax's Juvenile Court, says he's proud that his county hasn't had a gang-related homicide in three years.

He credits cooperation between suppression and prevention efforts -- police and non-profit, service providers working together.

He says the economy hasn't had a direct impact on gang prevention efforts, but he does worry.

"The success we're having is because of what we've committed to prevention efforts and what were doing to combat gangs," says Bermingham. "If we back off that, things will change very, very quickly."

Another worry for those working in gang prevention is school district budget trouble. If schools cut extracurricular activities, managers at local non-profits working with at-risk teens, say more students will have time to get into trouble.

Arts & Culture

NPR

China Builds Museums ... But Will The Visitors Come?

China is on a spree to build world-class museums and has opened about 100 of them annually in recent years. Two of the biggest opened on the same day last fall on opposite banks of Shanghai's Huangpu River. But filling these museums — with both art and visitors — is proving more challenging.

Food

NPR

Nutrition Group Says Chocolate Milk Is OK, No Need For Aspartame

The nation's largest group of nutritionists is urging the FDA to reject the dairy industry's petition to change the definition of milk. The petition aims to allow aspartame or other alternatives to be used to sweeten milk in an effort to boost consumption in schools.

Politics

NPR

IRS Official In Charge Of Nonprofits Declines To Testify

Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS division dealing with nonprofits seeking tax-exempt status, will not testify on Wednesday despite a congressional subpoena, her attorney says. She is accused of closely scrutinizing conservative groups that sought tax-exempt status.

Technology

NPR

Microsoft Reveals New Xbox One Game System

Microsoft unveiled its new Xbox One Tuesday, displaying a device that takes new steps in game consoles' journey into becoming all-purpose entertainment and communication devices. The new console replaces the Xbox 360, which has been on the market for more than seven years.

Leave a Comment

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.