Purdue News 
Purdue News
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March 27, 1998
Purdue to hold community training on juvenile violenceWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue Cooperative Extension Service is offering a two-day training session for teams of police officers, juvenile probation officers, judges, teachers and others who want to learn more about reducing juvenile violence and gang influence in their communities."Juvenile Violence and Gangs: Symptoms and Solutions from a Community Perspective" will be held May 5-6 at Canyon Inn, McCormick's Creek State Park near Bloomington. Participants will learn to identify signs of juvenile volatility, to recognize gang activity and identifiers, and how to create a community education and anti-violence program. National expert Steve Nawojczyk (Nuh-VOY-Chek) of Little Rock, Ark., will lead the training. He has been researching youth gangs since 1987 and has appeared in PBS's "Jobs -- A Way Out?" and HBO's "Gang War: Bangin' in Little Rock." Monroe County 4-H Extension Educator Jeff Holland has been presenting gang education programs across the state and is a co-chair of the program. His community education program on gang intervention has been credited with keeping kids out of gangs. "The gang phenomenon is not new to Indiana," Holland said. "This training is a way for communities to be proactive before a situation gets out of control." He said community denial can help foster gangs and the potential for juvenile violence.
The cost is $50 per person, and community team attendance is recommended because it
improves the chances for a successful community program when participants return
home. The organizers have applied for Law Enforcement Training Board certification.
Space is limited and preregistration is due April 15. Registration forms are available through
county Cooperative Extension Service offices or from the state 4-H office at (765)
494-8422.
Compiled by Chris Sigurdson, (765) 494-8415; E-mail, sig@ecn.purdue.edu
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