According to a report published in the latest issue of the District Attorney's newsletter, crime is at a twenty-five year low in Nassau County. Professor Kushner of CW Post College-LIU, in his analysis of this statistic attributes the findings to among other things, a certain degree of affluence, an older population and a high proportion of stable families.

Unfortunately, not everyone in some neighborhoods share the comfort of such auspicious pronouncements, as they experience crime rate among youth that is higher than in the rest of the county. A group of individuals from several neighborhoods in Westbury, Hempstead, Roosevelt and Uniondale are bent on doing something about it. In fact, residents from these communities were present at the monthly meeting of HEVN (Helping End Violence Now) which was held on Tuesday, Sept. 18, at the Tabernacle of Joy Church in Uniondale.

The meeting was chaired by Bishop J. Raymond Mackey, Sr., who welcomed and thanked everyone for their participation, and shared the good news that the organization was successful in its effort to acquire 501c3 status. Bishop Mackey also distributed copies of a draft of HEVN's policy, goals and objectives. The draft version of the mission statement is as follows: "To preserve the quality of life for all by preventing the growth and reversing the negative influence of gang and youth violence upon communities."

HEVN is a coalition of faith-based ministries, law enforcement agencies, school districts, government officials/agencies and individuals working hand-in-hand to build a better community.

Street gang violence and crime issues are complex and affect every segment of our society. Gang membership encompasses all races from most socioeconomic levels and is not limited to larger cities. All children are susceptible to this influence at increasingly younger ages.

"Gang violence has the potential to hold any citizen or property at risk. This is a national problem that affects everyone at some level. We can stop this negative influence. However, it will require the involvement of the entire community," a statement from the coalition urges. "You must be involved!"

The keynote speaker was Reverend Dr. Milton Rochford, who is the City Chaplain, Police Chaplain, and also serves in various other capacities in all five boroughs of New York City, and here on Long Island, as a trainer, lecturer and innovator of the ten point Community Chaplain's Program. He gave detailed explanation about each aspect of the program (Exploration, Evaluation, Strategization & Estimation, Organization, Implementation, Reconciliation, Block and Civic Associations, Prevention Education) and pointed out that a big part of the program had to do with shepherding ex-offenders who are fresh out of prison, back into society, and helping them to live productive lives.

Also in attendance were Assistant District Attorney, Rico D. Mention-Lewis, who spoke about the Rising Star program, and the Community Court initiative. She explained the modus operandi of both programs, and pointed out that D.A. Denis Dillon has a no nonsense policy on gang related activity, and takes a no negotiating stance on hard core offenders.

It was encouraging to see teenagers, school teachers (Assistant Principal), sociologists, community activists and religious leaders standing up and ready to take a stand in such a noble cause. You can too.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 9, at The Tabernacle of Joy Church, 1070 Brookside Avenue, Uniondale, beginning at 7:30 P.M. Local residents are urged to attend.

(The writer is vice president of Westbury PTA Council.)