†   Today, Gang Watchers, a non profit Ministry is reaching out to gang members with the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST. We have been doing this for a few months now and you need to know a few things.

    †   First, Gang Watchers is a new organization comprised of Christians who may or may not have been ex-cons or gang-bangers. We are all Christians who have a goal of reaching the lost with the Gospel. It is a “Street Ministry” and you will see us in the streets, at all times during the day and night, talking to the youth and their families.

    †   Second, Gang Watchers Ministry is a pilot program and the results from what we accomplish and discover, during the first year, will be documented and will be used in succeeding years to come. This documentation will be made available to the Churches, other cities and Sacramento once it’s compiled.

    †   Third, Gang Watchers Ministry may or may not make a few mistakes during our first year and if we do, our hope is that we can pick ourselves up and move on and do better. Since some of our members may or may not have had negative contact with the law, our goal will always be - to do better and reach higher … with GOD’s help.

    †   Fourth, Gang Watchers Ministry will in fact stay in contact with our legislators in Sacramento for the next few years. Our interest in this connection is moving forward with new legislation designed to help other neighborhood watch programs in California and families who have family members who are in gangs … and want out.

    †   Gang Watchers is very aware that the citizens of Porterville need more protection because of the influx on gangs and gang activity. Gang Watchers has been supportive of “Measure H” and we hope that the extra revenue generated from this measure will be directed into more gang related programs for the city and the youth.

    †   However, research has also discovered that money and government programs, even together, don’t do that good of a job … until they work hand in glove with the local Churches and Christians.

    †   That’s why we wrote you this open letter. Without GOD, we will all fall short. But with GOD we can all do better ! Please … let’s get together and use what we both know - so the citizens, churches and children all feel safe and protected.

    †   Respectfully submitted …