ORANGE : City Will Sponsor Anti-Gang TV Show

Stay tuned for “Graffiti,” a community television special designed to teach Orange residents how to deal with gang activity in the city.

The show, to be taped before a live audience Friday, will feature a panel of community leaders who will answer questions from the public and offer suggestions on dealing with gang activity and prevention.

The panel will include Rep. William E. Dannemeyer (R-Fullerton), Juvenile Court Judge Francisco P. Briseno, Police Chief Merrill V. Duncan and Deputy Dist. Atty. Robin Park.

Parents, students, teachers and others interested in the issue are invited to “star” in the production as members of the audience.

Several hundred residents are expected to attend the taping, said Sgt. Jim Hudson, Police Department spokesman.

The show is part of the city’s effort to educate the public about the problem of gangs, how to deal with gang members, and to encourage community participation in gang prevention. About 10 white, Asian and Latino gangs are now active in Orange.

“This will give families a chance to fight back or at least inform them on some of their options,” Hudson said.

The program will be aired several times on Cablevision of Orange and may later be used as part of the curriculum within the Orange Unified School District, Hudson said.

“Graffiti” will be taped at 10 p.m. Friday at the Sonlight Christian Center, 172 N. Glassell St.