[media-credit name=’JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]A four-part plan to combat gang activity in Madison was discussed Thursday by Madison City Council members and police department officials.

MPD detective George Chavez said at the meeting that the first step to solving the dilemma of gangs in the area is to realize the city has a problem.

"We have to get over that hurdle of denial of ‘Do we have a gang issue or don’t we?’" Chavez said. "We’re at a point in time where we can respond, but it’s going to take prevention and intervention."

The presentation focused on problems such as graffiti, gangs recruiting young children and reintegration of ex-members into the community.

"A big part of our components is prevention," Chavez said.

To raise awareness, the MPD has been giving presentations throughout the community specifically targeting high school student populations who may be involved with gangs, Chavez said.

Following prevention, the three other components include intervention, re-entry and submission.

The issue of gangs becoming more tolerable and even "cool" among young adults also arose at the meeting.

"Gang culture is almost acceptable in mainstream culture," Chavez said. "It used to be that gangs were a subculture. Take a look out there, and you’ll see that gangs are acceptable [now]."

Chavez also addressed the concern that gangs are now starting to recruit younger, vulnerable children.

"Gangs are equal opportunity. They go out and recruit anybody and everybody," Chavez said. "The gangs are looking for kids who feel disconnected."

Chavez said some Madison citizens might think gangs here are not as "bad" or violent as gangs in other major cities like L.A. or Chicago. However, the room generally agreed Madison does have a problem, although it may not be as widespread as some major cities.

"People may say you only have wannabes [in Madison]. Well, these wannabes are gonnabes."

Frank Rodriguez, Youth Outreach Coordinator for the Drug Abatement Response Team said. He spoke about the success of gang intervention programs in schools.

"My ability to speak to these kids at a different level, to be able to relate to them, has given me the opportunity to let them realize that most of these kids can do better and can succeed," Rodriguez said. "When I talk to the kids, and I relate to these kids, it’s something that is beyond the level of professionalism."

There is not a simple solution to gang violence, said Luis Yudice, MMSD safety coordinator and co-chair of the Enhanced Dane County Youth Gang Prevention Task Force.

"The solution … lies not in a single strategy, it has to be a comprehensive strategy and community based," Yudice said.

Officials at the meeting said gang violence may not be a very popular issue among citizens, but it is prevalent, widespread and increasing every day.

Ald. Thuy Pham-Remmele, District 20, expressed her concern with the growing issue. "These are our children, our family and our community. This behavior has to stop, and we have to send a clear message that we don’t tolerate these behaviors."