Villaraigosa Asks Obama to Continue Federal Funds in Anti-Gang Push

LA has received more than $26M in federal, state funds for program since 2007

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Monday asked the Obama administration to continue federal financial support for Gang Reduction and Youth Development, the city's anti-gang program.

Speaking at the second annual National Summit on Preventing Youth Violence in the nation's capital, Villaraigosa talked about how cities such as Los Angeles, New York and Chicago need to work together in securing investments toward the anti-gang push.

Since GRYD was created in 2007, Los Angeles has received more than $26 million in federal and state funds.

"Your investment in Los Angeles has worked," Villaraigosa said. "Today, I am now here to complete the circle."

GRYD is program that deals with prevention and intervention to address the causes of gang-related crime, according to its website.

The annual budget for the program is roughly $26 million, with the city paying an average of $17 million-per-year from its general fund.

Currently, the program has only secured slightly more than $301,000 in federal funding for the 2012-13 fiscal year. That is $7 million short of what the program needs to continue its operations, according to Vicki Curry, the mayor's press secretary.

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Villaraigosa also met with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder about the issue, she added.

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