Okla. Stat. tit. 10A, § 10A-2-7-701: Short title - Purpose - Intent

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.