'Violent Crime Costs Everyone,' Richmond Lawmaker Says

Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA): Saying street violence is everyone's problem, the incoming board of supervisors chairman, John Gioia, is calling for a many-pronged attack on the poverty, abuse and despair that spawns it. Gioia says part of his mission is to convince residents of its leafy suburbs as well as urban flatlands that crime prevention is their responsibility. According to an advance copy of today's speech, Gioia plans to "aggressively leverage" state, federal, foundation and private grants to curb violent crime, partnering with cities, school districts and other agencies. Other elements of his proposal include: (1) Expanding Welcome Home Baby, a child-abuse prevention program, from 700 new mothers a year to more than 1,200, (2) Increasing early intervention mental health services in the Community Services Department Head Start preschool program and (3) Using Proposition 63 "early intervention and prevention" mental health funds to expand school-based mental health services to at-risk youths. Gioia says studies have shown such programs reduce drug use, violence, truancy, school dropout and teen pregnancy while improving school performance and emotional health among youth.