An open letter and invitation to the community from GOOD

On behalf of the members of the Gangs Out Of Downey (GOOD) committee, Happy 2010!I would like to take this opportunity to remind you about or perhaps even introduce you to a group that for over two decades has strived to make Downey a safer place to work and live. Gangs Out Of Downey is an organization committed to preventing gang activity in our community. In order to do this, GOOD promotes awareness by educating parents and youth on the negative outcomes associated with gang activity. We do this by providing education, prevention, and intervention programs for at-risk youth and their families. In an effort to achieve its goal, GOOD is made up of community representatives from local city government, law enforcement, schools, businesses, civic organizations, and residents who are dedicated to helping Downey become a gang free city. GOOD is all about collaboration. Every month GOOD meets to share valuable information that closes gaps related to public safety, the influence of gangs, and crime in our city. Approximately 25 to 30 members regularly attend and we occasionally have drop-in visitors. As part of our New Year's resolution we want to bring more members of the community to the table so that this important information can have an even greater impact. Therefore, we are hosting an OPEN HOUSE for our next meeting. We want concerned individuals to stop by and observe what we are doing. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 7:30 in the morning. So that we may accommodate a larger group, the meeting will be held at the Barbara J Riley Community & Senior Center in the Diane Boggs Auditorium, located at 7810 Quill Drive, Downey, CA 90242. Our plan is to hold a regular meeting and then near the end ask new visitors to introduce themselves and figure out how they can either collaborate with GOOD or utilize the information shared at the meeting within their own spheres of influence to help make Downey a safer place. We hope several block captains or other representatives from some of the 56 Neighborhood Watch Groups around town will attend as well. Downey is a great place and despite current economic hardships in California and across our nation, having key people meet on a monthly basis to share this type of pertinent information can have a significant and positive impact on our local streets and neighborhoods. The collaboration that goes on in our city is what makes Downey a special place. So please mark your calendars and plan to attend our next meeting. If you are unable to attend you can still support the work of GOOD by mailing a tax-deductible donation to Gangs Out Of Downey at PO Box 13, Downey, CA 90241. Thank you for your support and we hope to see you on Feb. 2! Only by working together can we make a difference. Sincerely, Dr. Robert Jagielski President Gangs Out of Downey

********** Published: January 22, 2010 - Volume 8 - Issue 40