It’s poetic justice — not to mention social justice — as far as San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas is concerned.
Assets in criminal forfeitures cases, primarily those involving drugs, are helping fund non-profit, community-based programs throughout San Josquin County that have a proven track record as being a deterrent when it comes to being able to steer youth toward the right path in life.
Freitas on Wednesday presented the Manteca Boys & Girls Club with a $25,000 check to help fund programs that have positive impact on the lives of more than 1,000 youth.
It is part of $200,000 Freitas — working with the county’s seven police chiefs and the sheriff — has distributed countywide since January.
“It’s good that money from something bad is going to something good,” Freitas said.
Freitas said his office stresses education, encouragement, and enforcement in its approach to reducing crime.
“The (Boys & Girls) club covers the first two areas of education and encouragement,” Freitas said.
Prevention is a cornerstone of the type of DA’s office Freitas campaigned to provide the county’s 780,000 residents — enforcement of the law, early intervention, and justice for victims.
It’s a three-pronged approach that he stresses doesn’t abandon efforts to try and get at the root of criminal behavior and nip it in the proverbial bud.
Freitas has historically actively supported the re-enforcement of proven methods for producing results rooted in intervening with youth at an early age through education and offering alternatives to gangs.
It also involves addressing “broken window crimes” — that if left unanswered by law enforcement, often set the stage for blight to create a breeding ground for more serious crimes.
During his time working cases involving juvenile criminals, Freitas was acutely aware that those he was dealing with almost never ended up completing high school.
It is what prompted him to serve on the Lodi Unified School District board since 2012.
The Manteca Boys & Girls Club, 545 West Alameda, is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the summer. School year hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
It is open to 6 year-olds in the first grade to 18 year-olds in high school.
Membership cost is $60 per child per year. Scholarships are available.
For more information go to bgmanteca.org or call 209-239-5437.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
