A. Sections 2-7-701 through 2-7-705 of this title shall be known and may be cited as the “Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Prevention Act”.

B. The Legislature recognizes that the economic cost of crime to the state and communities continues to drain existing resources, and the cost to victims, both economic and psychological, is traumatic and tragic. The Legislature further recognizes that many adults in the criminal justice system were once delinquents in the juvenile justice system. The Legislature also recognizes that the most effective juvenile delinquency programs are programs that prevent children from entering the juvenile justice system, meet local community needs, and have substantial community involvement and support. Therefore, it is the belief of the Legislature that one of the best investments of scarce resources available to combat crime is to counteract the negative social and economic factors that contribute to criminal and delinquent behavior by engaging youth who are determined to have the highest risk of involvement with gangs or delinquent behaviors or live in at-risk neighborhoods and communities in positive programs and opportunities at the local, neighborhood and community level.

C. For the purpose of reducing the likelihood of later or continued involvement in criminal or delinquent activities, the intent of the Legislature in enacting the Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Prevention Act is to provide programs for adjudicated delinquents and highest risk children and their families who live in at-risk neighborhoods and communities, as defined in Section 2-7-702 of this title, and to aid all communities in developing delinquency and gang intervention and prevention programs and activities.