The Committee of 100 has invited North Rosslyn residents to its November 10 dinner meeting, which will feature a discussion on gangs. The Committee of 100 is an important local civic group, and several North Rosslyn members are active in it. The Committee's message is as follows:


For Civic Association Presidents -- On Wednesday, November 10th, the
Committee of 100 will be presenting a program on gang activity in
Arlington -- information you may need to know about what's happening
throughout our county. You don't need to be a Committee of 100 member to
attend our dinner meetings -- just make a reservation by Sunday evening.
Guests are always welcome to attend and all Arlingtonians are welcome to
become members of this 50 year old Arlington forum.

Sincerely -- Jim Pebley, Chairman.

ARLINGTON COMMITTEE OF 100

Regular Monthly Dinner Meeting -- Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Marymount University, 2807 N. Glebe Road

Dining Room, Gerard Phelan Hall

Social Hour 7:00 p.m. Dinner 7:30 p.m. Program 8:15 p.m.

See our web site at www.arlingtoncommitteeof100.org



For Telephone Reservations: (703) 921-1124

Email Reservations: Committeeof100@aol.com



Subject: Gangs in our backyard – what can we do?



According to media reports, gang violence in neighboring localities has been
on the rise in recent years. Gangs are known to be active in Arlington;
along our streets, in our neighborhoods and even in our schools. Gangs like
the MS 13 are expanding with almost corporate-like growth and there are
local, regional, state and federal programs and monies being directed
towards countering the growth of gangs. Thus far, Arlington has been
fortunate to be spared from much of the gang violence we see in the greater
region, but may not be so fortunate in the future. To meet the challenge of
gang activity, we need to understand not only the root causes, but also what
has been successful in Arlington, what challenges surely lay ahead and how
to stay ahead of the gang problem. How effective are these programs, do they
work together or counter to each other? Have they helped, fallen short or
been misdirected? By looking at the problem from the street level, we can
better understand what is working and what isn't.



In 1996, Delegate Jim Almand of Arlington asked for a joint study by the
Virginia Crime Commission and the Commission on Youth to study the
prevalence of gangs in the state. Back then, most localities saw no need for
this study, assuming that gangs did not present a real threat to public
safety in the Commonwealth. To the surprise of many, the study proved
otherwise. In 1997, the Committee of 100 discussed the gang problem. Seven
years later and with increased media coverage, it is time to revisit this
topic.



Speakers:

Juan Pacheco, works with Barrios Unidos, an organization that works with
youth to prevent violence and gang activity. He will share his own life
experiences as a former gang member and how he turned his life around. In
1998, he created the Kids Club Prevention After-school Program as well as
mentoring programs for at-risk Latino adolescents.



Detective Rick Rodriguez, Arlington Police Department, currently with the
Homicide and Robbery Unit, was for years a school resource officer and in
recent years, a highly effective leader in the Arlington Police Gang Task
Force.



Meg Tuccillo, Assistant Superintendent, Arlington Public Schools is
administrative liaison to the Student Advisory Board of the Arlington School
Board. She is the APS lead for matters relating to gangs in schools.



Meeting Information:



**The Committee of 100 Board of Directors is pleased to announce that
reservations can now by made by email or telephone. To make a reservation
for this month's meeting or other Committee of 100 programs, email your
name, the name(s) of your guest(s), and the total number of reservations to
Committeeof100@aol.com or call 703-921-1124 by the Sunday prior to each
meeting.



Time and Price: Social Hour, 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. (cash bar)

Dinner, 7:30 p.m. ($15.00, checks
preferred)

Program, 8:15 to 9:20 p.m.



Reservations & cancellations:



Must be made by 6:00 p.m., Sunday, November 7, 2004.

Email your name, the name(s) of your guest(s), and the total number of
reservations to Committeeof100@aol.com or call 703-921-1124 with the same
information.



Inclement Weather: In case of severe weather conditions, call the Phone
Reservation Number, 703-921-1124, to learn if the Arlington Committee of 100
meeting has been cancelled.



Marymount Shuttle Bus: Committee of 100 members are welcome to ride the
Marymount Shuttle from any place it stops from the Ballston Metro area all
the way along Glebe Road to the Marymount campus. It lets passengers off by
the guard station, which is close to the dining hall. It runs approximately
every 15 minutes until midnight.



Parking Information: Parking is provided at the Wachovia Bank (previously,
First Union) parking lot corner of Lee Hwy. & Glebe Road with shuttle bus
service to Marymount. NO parking at Washington Golf & Country Club. For
information about handicapped parking call 703-921-1124 and leave a message.



On the morning after the cancellation deadline, Committee of 100 guarantees
our dinner reservations to Marymount. If you are unable to honor your
reservation, send your $15.00 check, payable to Committee of 100, to
Treasurer John Seal, 1530 North Key Blvd. #1228, Arlington, VA 22209.