A groundbreaking series by the LA Times highlights the vast physical and psychological trauma that thousands of students face when navigating safe paths to schools.

Judge Sherri Honer of the Orange County Superior Court refused to order the Fullerton Police Department to remove Ruben Lona from the CalGang database.

Sandra Martinez is a recent graduate of the Urban Peace Academy, and like so many of our graduates, her story is remarkable. An organizer from an early age, Sandra has always been a leader dedicated to her community. As a child, Sandra and her twin ran away from an abusive home and joined a gang shortly after. That gang became their family.

Summer brings long days, warm nights, and unfortunately, seasonal spikes in crime. UPI has been busy these past two months, proactively working to ensure the summer is peaceful for all families.

Recently, 25 brave peacemakers graduated from our Urban Peace Academy with the complex skills needed to reduce violence in Los Angeles’ most violent communities. Each participant completed 140-hours of intense coursework focusing on effective strategies for forming trust with both residents and officers to ensure neighborhood safety.

Earlier this summer, alumni of UPI’s Latino Leadership Institute gathered to celebrate their accomplishments in creating a safe and healthy community. This community event provided an opportunity for over 40 Latino Leadership Institute alumni to reconnect and share their experiences with the whole family.

PBS SoCal featured the Urban Peace Institute’s continuing work to break the cycle of violence throughout Los Angeles. This story highlights our innovative Urban Peace Academy, which trains former gang members and community leaders to promote peace.

The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) withdrew its attempt to impose gang injunctions on two communities in the city of Placentia. After more than two years, the OCDA has been unable to prove that any of the 50 people they alleged were gang members were actually active gang members. As a result, the injunctions never became enforceable. Any reduction in crime in Placentia can only be attributed to other causes.

One year ago, UPI received an urgent call from Liz Blanchard, whose brother, Nelson Valle, was detained at the Otay Mesa Immigration Detention Facility as a result of gang allegations. Liz knew Nelson was living a peaceful life and was no longer a gang member.