State’s Attorney releases Spanish-language gang prevention book during seminar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church

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October 20

OLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow unveiled the new Spanish-language translation of his gang prevention book, “Gangs: Awareness, Prevention, Intervention,” to a crowd of more than 200 members of the Latino community during a gang prevention seminar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Monday.

State’s Attorney Glasgow, Joliet Deputy Police Chief Mike Trafton, Joliet Township High School District Superintendent Dr. Paul Swanstrom, Joliet Graffiti Abatement Officer Jan Nahorski and Officer Moises Avila of the Joliet Police Department each discussed ways for concerned citizens to identify and address gang activity in their neighborhoods and schools. 

“I was gratified by the large number of community leaders and parents who came out on a Monday evening to learn more about protecting our neighborhoods from violent street gangs,” State’s Attorney Glasgow said. “I want to thank everyone at Our Lady of Mount Carmel for opening the doors to their beautiful church and allowing the State’s Attorney’s Office, the Joliet Police Department and Joliet Township High School District to present their parishioners with this important educational tool.”

The state’s attorney continued: “Successful crime prevention starts at the grassroots level. It is abundantly clear to me that the grassroots process already is well underway in the Our Lady of Mount Carmel community. My office, the police department and the school district have pledged their support to these crime prevention initiatives.”

“Gangs: Awareness, Prevention, Intervention,” is a 40-page, full-color educational book that provides information on the major gangs operating in Will County, as well as preventative measures parents and teachers can take to protect children from gang influences. The book was designed for parents and educators who are concerned about gang activities in their homes, neighborhoods and schools.

State’s Attorney Glasgow developed the book in cooperation with Joliet Township High School District’s YESS! Initiative and the Joliet Police Department. Funding for the Spanish-language translation was provided through a federal Safe Schools, Healthy Students grant awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The state’s attorney used money seized from criminals engaged in narcotics or money laundering to fund printing costs.

Copies of the gang prevention book in both Spanish and English are available free-of-charge to educators, community organizers and concerned parents who want to learn more about gang activity in their neighborhoods by calling the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office at (815) 727-8742.