Senator to Track Money to Fight Gangs
Senator Patty Murray visits with kids at Southeast Community Center
Senator Patty Murray says she will be tracking how federal money will be spent on fighting the gang problem in Yakima county.
Murray met with those involved in gang prevention programs at the Southeast Community Center in Yakima.
The county received $500-thousand from Washington D.C. to form a gang commission.
Some of the money will also be spent on school programs for those leaving gangs.
Murray says she'll be checking in to see if the money is spent wisely.
"Working together, breaking down barriers, so they're not talking about jurisdictional issues, but rather focused on the young people that Junior needs to help into a job, then I'll know they've done the right thing," says Murray.
Commission members are working on opening a transitional school in Sunnyside to help problem students.
Murray is working on getting another $750-thousand to Yakima county to fight gang problems.