City Visions examines what happened when two San Francisco police officers, tired of cycling Mission teens in and out of jails, reached out to Supervisor David Campos, inspired business owners, and former gang members to find better opportunities for at-risk Mission District kids. This team started Family and Education Over Everything to encourage middle-school kids to stay in school and out of gangs. They are also finding jobs for older teens willing to make the commitment.
Because of their efforts, Officers John Cathey and David Sands are recipients of this year's San Francisco Peacemakers Award, which is given to people who have had significant impact on their community by public mediation program Community Boards.
What happens when police work becomes more like social work?
What happens to youths who want to leave gangs but don't know how? What's the alternative for these kids?
Is this a model other cities can adopt?
Guests:
Supervisor David Campos: Supervisor Campos oversees District 9, which includes the Mission and Bernal Heights. A graduate of Stanford and Harvard Law School, Supervisor Campos has been the Deputy City Attorney of San Francisco and the General Counsel to the San Francisco Unified School District. He has also been a member of the San Francisco Police Commission.
Officer John Cathey: With Officer David Sands, he started Family and Education Over Everything. He has been a San Francisco Police Officer for over 11 years.
Mike Bowen: Mike is a former juvenile offender in San Francisco. He is now a licensed contractor.
Christopher Kondo: Christopher runs ABS Seafood, a distributor of fresh seafood to the Bay Area. He currently employs a teen sent to him from Officers Cathey and Sands.
Community Boards provides conflict resolution and mediation for San Francisco residents. For more information about the San Francisco Peacemakers Award or about Community Boards, go to http://communityboards.org.
Producer: Wendy Holcombe