Full Notification

In 2006, Carson Station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was given the task of creating a gang intervention program that effectively dealt with gang members whose impact was causing significant damage to both lives and property. Deputy Fred Noya, who developed the Gang Diversion Team (GDT), quickly saw an opportunity to expand the impact of this program. He included not just active gang members but other youth who were at risk of becoming part of a destructive gang lifestyle.

               During the eleven years of its operation, the GDT has grown in terms of its connection to other agencies and resources that have both benefited from, and benefited by, their contact with the GDT. One of these resources is an increasingly strong bond between the GDT and University of California, Irvine’s School of Social Ecology. UCI’s School of Social Ecology has provided undergraduate interns who mentor and actively follow up with GDT youth as part of their field study. The GDT Staff, UCI Staff, and select on campus fraternities/sororities work together to plan an annual event, bringing at-risk youth to the UC Irvine campus in an effort to introduce the idea of pursuing higher education. This year’s fifth annual event is titled, “A Positive Change”, which will be an opportunity for youth to hear from motivational speakers, interact with current UCI students, and be able to experience the everyday college lifestyle. With our efforts through this educational experience, we are hopeful the students will recognize their potential and grow into successful young adults. The event will take place Saturday, April 22, 2017, from 9 AM to 4 PM. 

               Along with the students involved in our program, we also have college bound students from our local high schools attending the event as well. The goal of mixing both groups of students is to ensure positive peer to peer interaction between our at-risk youth and students on track to attend university. We want the students to positively influence each other and share their life experiences. By being in a completely different area than their home environment, we hope the students will have a fresh look at their potential and push each other to succeed and further their education.

               Incentive trips such as this are contributory to the success rate of the GDT concept which has been acknowledged by national organizations through awards to both the Carson Sheriff’s Station as well as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. This success has also gained the attention of other local law enforcement agencies such as the Los Angeles Police Department and national law enforcement agencies such as the Atlanta Police Department. 

               Presently, the GDT concept, founded at the Carson Sheriff’s station and adopted by the Century Sheriff’s station, is the only program of its kind in the United States that approaches gang members and at risk youth with both a corrective as well as preventative approach to transformation.

Events such as these would not be possible without the generous contributions of our community partners, such as UC Irvine’s Social Ecology, Police, Hospitality & Dining, and Catering departments. We would also like to recognize the Sigma Delta Alpha Fraternity for their collaboration in planning this event.
 
For additional information, please contact Deputy Fred Noya, Carson Station, at 310-847-4018.
 
* Century Sheriff’s Station polices the City of Lynwood and unincorporated communities
of Athens Park, Florence/Firestone, Walnut Park, and Willowbrook:
 
Century Sheriff’s Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Station
11703 Alameda Street
Lynwood, CA 90262
(323) 568-4800
Website: http://www.Century.lasd.org
LASD Text & Email (Register at http://www.Nixle.com :
http://nixle.com/lasd---century-station-los-angeles-county-sheriff/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CenturySheriffsStation
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CENLASD