Hands-On Program Quashes N.Va. Gangs

"You've got to walk with them. You've got to share their pain. Be with them," he said. "It's about relationships. About taking someone to get a job, or, if they make a mistake, going to court with them or visiting them in jail. Because we believe in the possibility of change."

The messages of the video and audio announcements, on Spanish- and English-language radio stations and on Cox and Comcast TV channels, will also be posted in brochures at recreation enters and other places. In the video, the screen opens with a close-up of a mother's anguished face. "My sons were convicted of second-degree murder," she says. "They lost their youth."

Another mother says sadly, in Spanish: "My son was in a gang. And now he's in jail." Both mothers go on to urge viewers to watch for signs of gang activity. "Know where your children are. Stay involved in their lives. Tell them that you love them."

The mothers and their stories are real. Their aim -- and that of the task force -- is clear: to dissuade youths from joining gangs and to encourage them and their parents to seek help.

"Don't Get Lost in Gangs," reads the English version of the public service announcement. "Gangs, An Alley Without an Exit," reads the Spanish version.

A key part of Northern Virginia's effort to combat gangs and violence, task force members said, is the mothers.

"When we developed the PSA, we went out to the kids and said, 'What would you see as a good PSA? What would have an impact on you?' We had all these different ideas. But what they all came back with was their mother," said Patricia Romano, director of Court Services in Arlington County, who oversees its gang prevention effort.

"They all have this tremendous respect for their mothers and not wanting to hurt their mother," Romano said. "We're hoping that people will see these PSAs and start questioning and be more aware of issues around them and ask for help."

The announcements include a phone number and a Web site for the gang task force, which covers 16 jurisdictions, including Prince William County, Dumfries, Manassas and Manassas Park. Parents and teens who call or click can find out not only about after-school programs but also about how to connect with a caring adult. Alexandria, in particular, has called on community members to mentor youths, Mackey said. And the number of mentors has grown to 250 in the past 18 months.

Pacheco, who often attends gang-prevention meetings and takes youths with him so they can share their views, said the public service announcements' message is powerful.

"It's the right message," he said. "Young people need to hear about the suffering we put our parents through. I never understood the pain my mom had when I was doing the things I was doing. But the important thing is, they have to be sure it is broadcast on channels and at times when parents and kids are actually watching."

The PSAs can be viewed athttp://www.preventgangsnova.org. For information, call 703-GET HELP (703-438-4357).