|
April 18, 2003
Dear Senator McPherson:
Thank you for participating in our civic project
last June when you responded to a constituent who voiced his concerns
on our Health Dialogues show on Proposition 36.
During another Health Dialogues program on April
9, a constituent from San Luis Obispo called us with her concerns
on the topic of "Violence as a Public Health Issue." Again,
we turn to you for your comments or suggestions.
Karen from San Luis Obispo mentors at-risk youth
for a probation department aiming to offer her clients possibilities
for a life better than incarceration. She works one-on-one with
kids arrested for minor offenses -- before they might commit a
serious violent crime.
According to her, the program is being cut. Considering
the size of the state budget deficit, the trend will likely continue
on a statewide basis.
This raises several questions important to your
constituents. In the absence of these youth crime prevention programs,
what alternatives do you see to prevent violence in communities
like San Luis Obispo? How can the state help these communities
anticipate and prepare for a possible increase in violence as
a result of such program cutbacks?
As you may recall, KQED Public Radio's statewide
news service, The California Report, hosts monthly statewide live
discussions of health issues of importance to Californians. A number
of public radio stations in your district, including KAZU in Pacific
Grove and KCBX in San Luis Obispo, airs this show, which is funded
by The California Endowment. The most recent show's guests
were Liz McLoughlin, director of programs for the Trauma Foundation;
Dr. Herb Schreier chief of the department of psychiatry at Children's
Hospital Oakland; and Henry Morales, economic development director
for HOMEY, Homies Organizing the Mission to Empower Youth.
Again, thank you for helping us toward the show's
goal of advancing public discussion between community members and
policy makers.
Sincerely,
Raul Ramirez, Director
News and Public Affairs
KQED Public Radio
|
