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OJJDP Administrator J. Robert Flores urged the members of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) to participate in mentoring programs that serve Hispanic youth, citing it as a necessary element in helping youth avoid joining gangs. Flores spoke at HNBA's 33rd Annual Conference, held September 3–6 in Hollywood, CA, a district within the City of Los Angeles.

Administrator Flores restated DOJ's and OJJDP's commitment to reducing gang activity through the comprehensive gang-reduction strategy, which emphasizes prevention, intervention, reentry programs, law enforcement, and crime suppression. Los Angeles has the largest gang population in the country, with more than 400 gangs and 39,000 members. DOJ has invested more than $15.5 million to support the city's comprehensive gang-reduction strategy.

In his address, Administrator Flores reminded the HNBA members of the necessity of participating in their communities to become involved with mentoring at-risk youth.

At-risk children need one-on-one support to avoid the dangers of the streets. The more support we offer them, the stronger they will become in their choices. We are making progress in reaching children who need our help the most, but this effort requires the support and contributions of a broader spectrum of the community. I hope you will help us with this most important endeavor.

OJJDP has provided $5 million to establish and expand the Los Angeles Gang Reduction Program, which has reduced gang-related crime by 44 percent in the initial targeted neighborhood. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa invested $168 million in 2007 to expand the initiative to another part of the city, using the gang-reduction program as the blueprint.

More than 1,000 participants attended the HNBA Conference. Conference sessions included discussions on various legal and social issues such as gangs.