Gang guidelines adopted

Saying it will help measure the effectiveness of the city's anti-gang programs, the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday approved guidelines to redefine expectations for the programs. Daily News.

Using a model developed by Councilman Tony Cárdenas and his ad hoc Committee on Gang Violence, anti-gang program officials will have to demonstrate they have successfully kept young people from joining gangs or have persuaded gang members to give up their life of violence.

"For the first time, we have a way to show if these programs are effective," Cárdenas said before the 13-0 vote for the measure. "This is a giant step forward in protecting our taxpayers' money."