Los Angeles city officials on Thursday unveiled a set of new anti-gang initiatives designed to reduce gang-related crimes by 15 per cent this year, saying the proposals could serve as a blueprint for the entire country.
The proposals include more "gifts for guns" exchanges, an "academy" to train gang intervention workers, and enforcing minor vehicle infractions on cars owned by the estimated 41,000 gang members in the city.
Los Angles police chief William Bratton said the city is expected to see 26 fewer murders this year compared to last year, which saw 381 homicides, 47 percent of which were gang-related crimes.
Earlier this month, the city's police department combined its narcotics and gang divisions, trying to focus on gang members who traffic in narcotics and guns.
Meanwhile, 400 police officers will be trained to better understand gang history, culture and trends.
A Gang Intervention Academy will also be set up to legitimize former gang members and train them into gang intervention workers.
Motor officers will be sent to high-crime neighborhoods across the city to enforce code statutes on cars known to be used by gang members in shootings and other crimes.
City mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Los Angeles is deploying its anti-gang crime resources in a more strategic way.
"We identified the areas that have four times gang violence than other areas and that's where we have our resources," the mayor said.
The City Council last month approved an ordinance that allows for the seizure of vehicles used by gang members while committing a crime.