Madison – The City of Madison, with financial assistance from MGE, is providing an informational workshop on gang prevention and intervention strategies for neighborhood leaders at its annual Neighborhood Roundtable this Saturday, November 5th.

“The Neighborhood Roundtable will help Madison families to learn more about gang-related activity in our community,” said Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, who will make introductory remarks at the event. “I hope that anyone in Madison who is concerned about these issues will attend this important event.”

Five panel speakers will provide information and insight on gang related activities that are occurring in our neighborhoods. Detective George Chavez of the Madison Police Department, Stephen Blue and Bobby Moore from the Dane County Neighborhood Intervention Program, and Kathy Sorenson from Project Hugs at LaFollette High School will highlight current issues and trends, and discuss strategies that have been employed in neighborhoods, schools and public places. Cross-Cultural Consultant Gladis Benavides will discuss the importance of involving the entire community in these issues to ensure.

“Neighbors didn’t recognize the type of gang activity that was occurring in our downtown neighborhood until we started to understand what activities contributed to gang initiations,” said Jamie McCarville, neighborhood volunteer of First Settlement Neighborhood located off the Capitol Square “We have made connections with local organizations, such as Girl Neighborhood Power, so we can help in providing positive experiences for our young teens.”

The 2005 Neighborhood Roundtable is scheduled for Saturday, November 5 at Warner Park Community Center, 1625 Northport Drive. Registration is free. Call 608-267-8727 ext 211.