Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe announced today that the Board of Supervisors has authorized two separate one-year agreements between the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and the Cities of Bellflower and Paramount for the continuance of a successful gang abatement program in the two cities.

The Strategies Against Gang Environments (SAGE) Program decreases street gang violence and narcotics-related activities by utilizing civil injunctions and other procedures to enhance a city’s efforts to reduce gang violence and graffiti problems. The program also aims to divert potentially dangerous gang activity into more constructive behavior within the community.

Under the terms of the agreements, one full-time Deputy District Attorney will be maintained within each of the cities. The assigned Deputy District Attorneys will also pursue civil nuisance abatement actions, and will advise and work with city law enforcement officers, community leaders, and other officials to develop a multifaceted strategy for improving public safety.

The SAGE program is an outstanding program that has really benefited cities throughout the County, said Supervisor Knabe. I am proud that, once again, the District Attorney’s Office is partnering together with our cities to combat gang violence. We have lost too many residents to senseless violence, and I am pleased that our cities are using this program to take back our streets.