Conference offers law enforcement insight into gangs

Conference offers law enforcement insight into gangs
- February 9, 2013
- Al Valdez, social sciences lecturer, is featured in the Garden City Telegram February 9, 2013
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From the Garden City Telegram:
Friday's presentation, made by Al Valdez, a social sciences instructor at the University
of California, Irvine, who teaches about gangs and gang activity, shared his knowledge
and experience with law enforcement. Valdez, formerly an undercover police officer
and an investigator for the Orange County District Attorney's office, shared with
officers that understanding brain development and the five stages of brain maturation
can help increase understanding about youth and gang involvement. Valdez said that
the brain doesn't fully mature until age 24 and that in teen years, finding a group
to belong to is the primary goal. He said that this, along with hormone changes can
go a long way in explaining the tendency for some teenagers becoming gang members.
For the full story, please visit http://www.gctelegram.com/news/2-9-13-Conferemce-on-Gangs.
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