Editor’s note: This is the second story in a three-part series exploring some of the provisions in the Safe Neighborhoods Act. Part three will appear in Tuesday’s Press Dispatch.

SACRAMENTO — After 10 years and $100 million inanti-gang spending in Los Angeles, researchers were unable to show the funding had beeneffective in any way.

And despite the massive funding, researchers found that the gang problem had actually gotten worse, according to State Sen. George Runner.

In another case, a "recovered gang member" who founded the anti-gang group No Guns was given $1.5 million from a gang prevention program set up by the Los Angeles City Council, and was turning around and selling weapons to gang members.

In a new initiative that will likely be on the November ballot, a provision was included to prevent things like this from happening.

The Safe Neighborhoods Act was submitted by Runner, R-Lancaster, and Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, R-Lancaster, and is aimed at improving public safety in California.

The initiative calls for random audits of gang intervention and prevention programs to make sure that they are producing results.

"The committee may audit any kind of programs that have public dollars attached to them said to be going toward any kind of gang intervention program," said Runner.

The audit committee would be made up of three members appointed by the governor, two members of the state Senate and two members of the state Assembly. The committee would also include the attorney general or a designee, and a judge or retired judge, said Charlie Fennessey, spokesman for George Runner.

The initiative will authorize $15 million in annual funding for the purpose of public safety education and disclosure as well as use the committee to audit any gang programs to see if they are working.

"There’s a lot of money being thrown at the problem without anyone being held accountable for results," said Sharon Runner.

Ryan Orr may be reached at 951-6277 or rorr@vvdailypress.com.