The Department of Defense will hold a youth action conference in an effort to
meet growing perceptions of increased gang-related activity near and on
military installations throughout the United States. The conference will be
held at the Hyatt Regency in Tampa, Florida, from October 31, 1994, to November
4, 1994.
The conference, jointly hosted by the Department of Defense, the Department of
Justice and the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, will focus on
preventive measures to counteract gang encroachment on military installations
and in surrounding communities where military families live. This is a
proactive step by DoD to meet this potential threat before it becomes a problem
that effects the families and readiness of the military services.
Experts in family advocacy, youth services and law enforcement will work with
more than 750 representatives from military installations and civilian
organizations around the country. The Youth Action Conference is intended to
develop solutions to provide military youth alternatives to the threat posed by
gang elements. The forum will also attempt to identify possible solutions to
youth violence, gang influence, teen crime and their effects on military
families and installations before they become a problem.
Incidents involving military youths and the influence of gang-related activity
on military families and installations divert increasingly scarce resources and
distract service members from primary duties of defense.
The conference will be open to the media and a room will be established to
provide information on the conference and to facilitate media requests. For
more information contact Major Robert Cravens, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine
Command Public Affairs Office, (804) 727-4468.
