‘DART is like a second family,’ says member of award-winning youth program

Guest article by Aida Torres, crime prevention specialist for the city of Duarte, and Larry Breceda, director of public safety services for the city of Duarte. 

When it comes to making an impact, it’s often not what you spend but how you spend it. A recent study found that the Duarte Area Resource Team (DART) reduced juvenile arrests by over 60% over a three-year period. They did this by spending just $25,000 per year in city funds, supplemented by state funding.

This success is even more evident when comparing Duarte to another city in the study, which experienced a 41% increase in juvenile arrests.

“DART is really 'one of a kind,'” said Cesar Garcia, the mayor pro-tem of Duarte and a former DART participant. “And it wouldn’t be what it is without the staff that has dedicated years to making it what it is and who have made genuine connections with the students.”

DART has its roots in a 1999 youth engagement program, which was limited in scope and did not fully address issues of youth violence and gang recruitment. In 2010, the Duarte Public Safety Department secured state funding to expand the program to address youth gang recruitment and focus on lowering juvenile arrests. Now known as DART, the program is a beacon of hope for youth ages 13 to 19.

Thanks to the funding, the program has expanded its team by hiring support staff and prioritizing training future generations of community role models. “I have been fortunate enough to continue working as a mentor to watch new generations of students grow in confidence, leadership, and love,” states Alex Tapia, a DART graduate and current intern. Tapia will graduate college this year to pursue a teaching career.

A holistic approach to youth development

Like many nearby cities, Duarte is a bedroom community hemmed in by the San Gabriel Mountains to the north. In the last fifty years, street gangs have become a problem. Duarte is also a minority-majority city, with many families living at or below the poverty line. Some of the city’s youth feel marginalized and seek a sense of social identity, which gangs capitalize on in recruitment.

DART operates within the Public Safety Department/Sheriff’s Substation and includes a crime prevention specialist, a school resource sheriff’s deputy, and college interns. The key to DART's continued success is its robust relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the school district, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, The Boys and Girls Club, and other youth organizations.

A significant number of DART participants are first-generation Americans and face challenges accessing resources due to discrimination and economic inequality.

“I would not be where I am now had it not been for the DART program,” said Laura Cortez. “As a first-generation student, I didn’t have guidance about career options or college. In fact, growing up, I used to think attending a university would never be feasible due to the lack of affordability and qualifications.”

DART focuses on reducing delinquency and fostering pro-social behaviors by mentoring students and getting them involved in their community. Beyond traditional prevention, intervention, and reintegration programs, DART mentors and city staff go the extra mile by attending parent-teacher conferences, helping with work and college applications, and advocating for the youth. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that students receive the support they need.

During her time in DART, Cortez volunteered for the city of Hope and attended several college tours, including one at the University of California, Los Angeles. She graduated from UCLA in 2017 and is now a registered nurse at City of Hope. “I am forever grateful for the roots that made this all possible,” Cortez said.

Expanding impact and success

A 2022 independent study revealed that DART participants felt a heightened sense of security, belonging, and significance as they became integral parts of their own community. Youth adopted more pro-social behaviors — acts of kindness, collaboration, empathy, and selflessness — leading to decreased recidivism rates. These behaviors are nurtured through community services, further increasing community well-being.

This significantly reduces the likelihood of negative and criminal activities, such as property defacement and theft. Self-reported surveys also found positive shifts in attitudes toward delinquency, commitment to school, collective efficacy, and parental supervision.

However, DART's success lies in its ability to evolve and address current issues facing youth. Although it was initially designed for gang and juvenile crime prevention, the program has adapted to address emerging challenges, such as increased vaping, cyberbullying, and the mental and physical health effects of COVID-19.

“Since I joined DART, my screen time has decreased by a third,” said Viridiana Garcia, a current member. “I also do things I only saw on social media, like volunteering and other fun group hangouts.”

A local program gains global recognition

Initially serving around 20 youths annually with a $10,000 budget, DART now reaches approximately 50 youths annually.

The exceptional work of the program has not gone unnoticed. Recently, the International City/County Management Association honored DART with a Local Government Excellence Award for its innovative and successful approach to community safety, health, and wellness. DART has not only reduced juvenile arrests but has positively transformed the lives of countless young individuals — and, by extension, their communities.

“DART has changed me in many ways — like being outgoing and making others laugh,” said Athziri Villa, another current member. “… If you ask me what DART means to me, I will say that DART is like a second family, and the support that I have gotten from being in DART I would not change for the world. DART has given me a lot of fun memories and a lot of cool friends.”