{"id":251845,"date":"2026-04-04T16:58:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T16:58:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/251845\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T16:58:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T16:58:19","slug":"to-keep-kids-out-of-the-grip-of-gangs-oc-law-enforcement-connect-early-orange-county-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/251845\/","title":{"rendered":"To keep kids out of the grip of gangs, OC law enforcement connect early \u2013 Orange County Register"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Jose<\/p>\n

Jose Flores, an investigator with the Orange County District Attorney\u2019s office, speks to students during a OC GRIP (Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership) program in Garden Grove, CA on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Students were playing soccer and various games with members of law enforcement. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Students<\/p>\n

Students cheer on the ir teammates during a OC GRIP (Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership) program in Garden Grove, CA on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Students were playing soccer and various games with law enforcement personel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Students<\/p>\n

Students get high-fives from Garden Grove Police Department officer Kyle Haley during a OC GRIP (Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership) program in Garden Grove, CA on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Students were playing soccer and various games with law enforcement. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A student is congratulated by Garden Grove Police Department officer Efrain Jimenez during a OC GRIP (Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership) program in Garden Grove, CA on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Students were playing soccer and various games with law enforcement personel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Kids<\/p>\n

Kids run a few warm-up laps at the start of a OC GRIP (Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership) program in Garden Grove, CA on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Students were playing soccer and various games with law enforcement. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Oscar<\/p>\n

Oscar Romero, from Clinton Elementary School in Garden Grove, tries to stop a shot during a OC GRIP (Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership) program in Garden Grove, CA on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Students were playing soccer and various games with law enforcement personel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Kids<\/p>\n

Kids run each other after a soccer game at a OC GRIP (Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership) program in Garden Grove, CA on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Students were playing soccer and various games with law enforcement. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"OC<\/p>\n

OC Sheriff\u2019s Deputy Victor Vasquez closes in on Dawid Rosales from Clinton Elementary School in Garden Grove, during a OC GRIP (Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership) program in Garden Grove, CA on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Students were playing soccer and various games with law enforcement. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Garden<\/p>\n

Garden Grove Police Department officer Efrain Jimenez congratulates students during a OC GRIP (Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership) program in Garden Grove, CA on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Students were playing soccer and various games with law enforcement. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Students<\/p>\n

Students play soccer during a OC GRIP (Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership) program in Garden Grove, CA on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Students were playing soccer and various games with law enforcement. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Kids<\/p>\n

Kids combine soccer skills and Rock, Paper, Scissors in a game at a OC GRIP (Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership) program in Garden Grove, CA on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Students were playing soccer and various games with law enforcement. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Ethan<\/p>\n

Ethan Perez, from Hazard Elementary School in Santa Ana, is congratulated by Garden Grove Police Department officer Efrain Jimenez during a OC GRIP (Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership) program in Garden Grove, CA on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Students were playing soccer and various games with law enforcement personel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dylan<\/p>\n

Dylan Pineda from Newhope Elementary School in Santa Ana listens as Jose Flores, an investigator with the Orange County District Attorney\u2019s office, speaks during OC Grip Camp in Garden Grove, CA on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The program is the Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Santa<\/p>\n

Santa Ana Police Department Cpl. Jonathon Perez gives instruction to Carlos Manzanarez from Fitz Intermediate School in Santa Ana, during OC GRIP (Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership) program in Garden Grove, CA on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Students were playing soccer and various games with law enforcement personel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 14<\/p>\n

Jose Flores, an investigator with the Orange County District Attorney\u2019s office, speks to students during a OC GRIP (Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership) program in Garden Grove, CA on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Students were playing soccer and various games with members of law enforcement. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Under bright, sunny skies that felt more like summer than spring break, dozens of Garden Grove Unified School District students gathered around SWAT team members from Garden Grove and Santa Ana as officers introduced themselves and described their roles.<\/p>\n

Moments earlier, the students and officers had been on the field together, playing soccer side by side as part of a three-day event with Orange County\u2019s Gang Reduction Intervention Program<\/a>, or GRIP, an initiative run through the Orange County District Attorney\u2019s Office aimed at connecting at-risk youth with mentors in law enforcement.<\/p>\n

Along with building ties, having something to do during their spring break helps keep the students from looking in the wrong places for connections and to pass the time. More than 600 students participate in the soccer games throughout the year, one of several activities youths can take part in during summer and spring break, including baseball, dance and martial arts classes.<\/p>\n

As the students rested at lunch tables, one officer described working patrol, responding to calls from minor incidents to emergencies. Another explained the additional training required for high-risk situations.<\/p>\n

A bulletproof vest was held, and the excitement grew.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe SWAT team has a bunch of different tools. We use them in situations too dangerous for regular officers,\u201d the officer explained before\u00a0he started passing around the vest.\u00a0\u201cEveryone wants to try it, right? We\u2019ll do it in small groups.\u201d<\/p>\n

Students buzzed with eagerness as helmets and communication equipment were also passed around.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is so heavy\u2026 oh wow,\u201d one student reacted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is awesome! I want to try the helmet next!\u201d another said.<\/p>\n

Then came the moment many had been waiting for.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo who\u2019s ready to see the BearCat?\u201d an officer asked.<\/p>\n

The crowd erupted in excitement. \u201cStop \u2014 you\u2019re lying!\u201d one child jokingly shouted in disbelief.<\/p>\n

Around since 2007<\/a>, GRIP partners with schools considered at risk for gang violence, working with districts to provide prevention, education and support services.<\/p>\n

It now collaborates with 62 schools from 10 school districts across Orange County, including districts in Anaheim, Tustin, Santa Ana, Garden Grove and Orange. The program includes monthly meetings, intervention sessions, gang prevention<\/a> curriculum and training for school staff.<\/p>\n

Some 95% of youth participants reported improved coping skills, according to GRIP officials, while 88% said they were better able to manage daily life. About 87% reported improved family relationships and engagement in school or other activities.<\/p>\n

Senior Deputy District Attorney Shannon Back said the program started to focus on prevention and early intervention to \u201chopefully prevent future crimes from being committed.\u201d<\/p>\n

The program also coordinates intervention meetings involving law enforcement, probation officers, attorneys and social workers.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne contact with a student can change their whole direction,\u201d said Jose Flores, an investigator with the DA\u2019s Office. \u201cJust having somebody that genuinely cares and is willing to support them can change a student\u2019s path.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, some critics have questioned the role of law enforcement on school campuses, particularly in secondary schools, raising concerns that such programs can feel more like surveillance than support.<\/p>\n

Flores said those concerns rarely come from families directly involved. Participation requires parental consent, and in many cases, families actively seek out the program.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are never there to target,\u201d Flores said. \u201cParents authorize our participation, and often they\u2019re the ones reaching out because they want that mentorship for their students.\u201d<\/p>\n

For one student, his involvement in the program has created a shift.<\/p>\n

At the start of the year, family responsibilities and stress at home shaped how he approached school, said the sixth grader. He often struggled with attendance, sometimes skipping school to help care for his baby brother while his mother worked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want (my mom) to be frustrated,\u201d he said. \u201cFor a long time\u2026 I just dealt with it by myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since joining GRIP, school staff say they\u2019ve seen noticeable changes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe attends school more consistently, participates in class, and has taken on a role assisting teachers,\u201d Flores said.<\/p>\n

The student said his outlook has changed, emphasizing the importance of support and motivation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I have more community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Garden Grove Police Chief Amir Al-Farrah said he has seen the program\u2019s impact firsthand, particularly among students facing attendance issues, academic struggles or challenges at home.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel really privileged to say I was one of the first officers involved,\u201d Al-Farrah said.<\/p>\n

The goal, he said, is simple: Reach students early and guide them in a positive direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything starts with our youth,\u201d he added. \u201cIf we keep them on the right path, good things will come.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Jose Flores, an investigator with the Orange County District Attorney\u2019s office, speks to students during a OC GRIP…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":251846,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[163,165,164,7,179,734,23,611,1997],"class_list":{"0":"post-251845","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-anaheim","8":"tag-anaheim","9":"tag-anaheim-headlines","10":"tag-anaheim-news","11":"tag-california","12":"tag-community","13":"tag-law-enforcement","14":"tag-local-news","15":"tag-orange-county","16":"tag-schools"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251845","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=251845"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251845\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/251846"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=251845"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=251845"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=251845"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}