The Sacramento city council passed legislation this week that will promise gang members cash stipends in exchange for peace.
With a 9-0 vote, the council signed off on the 'Advance Peace' contract. Advance Peace takes a direction similar to one instituted in Richmond, through which incentives are offered to select members of gangs who graduate from school and stay away from unlawful activity. Advocates of the strategy say that it has lowered crime in Richmond, and are hopeful that the $1.5 million doled out through the program can be effective in maintaining a cease-fire among local gangs.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg has a positive attitude towards the approach, telling reporters, "Let's get going on doing everything we can to save innocent lives." Last week, a man was killed and 4 others were shot during a C-Bo music video shoot in a Sacramento Park.
