PRESS RELEASE
February 26, 2008

Slater-Price Appoints to Gang Task Force
Supervisor Selects Two Community Members to Represent District Three

SAN DIEGO – The County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to support Third District Supervisor Pam Slater-Price’s two appointments for the newly-created North County Gang Commission.

The North County Gang Commission will be in charge of forming a regional plan to fight gang violence in North San Diego County. The commission will be comprised of experts from various fields including education, law enforcement, business, social and health services, and even former gang members.

Slater-Price’s appointments are: Robert Gillies of Encinitas, who previously worked for the San Diego District Attorney’s office and the Oakland Police Department; and Kathleen Crusing of Escondido, a community activist who has worked with children in local chapters of the Young Marines program and church groups.

Slater-Price joined colleague Supervisor Bill Horn, Fifth District, in forming the commission. Horn also received unanimous support for three of his five appointments on Tuesday.

“The experience and background these individuals bring to the table will serve the commission and the community well,” Slater-Price said. “I look forward to hearing about their plans in the coming months.”

With appointments in place, the North County Gang Commission can soon begin seeking solutions to slow gang violence.

According to figures from the North County Regional Gang Task Force, police departments and the Sheriff’s department, North County has more than 1,500 gang members in 21 gangs.

The areas gangs claim as their turf include Oceanside, Escondido, San Marcos, Carlsbad, Vista, Encinitas and Solana Beach.

Contact: Erica Holloway @ (619) 531-5857.