OCDA investigator honored for helping to keep kids out of gangs

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: August 14, 2017

OCDA INVESTIGATOR KEVIN RUIZ RECEIVES “GOLDEN RULE AWARD” FOR BEING A NON-PROFIT LEADER AND KEEPING YOUTH OUT OF GANGS

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Investigator Kevin Ruiz of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) was honored with the “Golden Rule Award” for his extensive work as a non-profit leader with Orange County Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership (OC GRIP). The award was presented at Kiwanis’ 19th Annual Strike Gold for Kids Gala on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Tustin.

Each year, The Kiwanis Club of Santa Ana, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth through service projects, holds a gala to raise proceeds towards helping children in the community. OCDA Investigator Ruiz was recognized for leading the way in enhancing the education and safety of children, young adults, and families through his work with OC GRIP.

Throughout Investigator Ruiz’s 40 years in law enforcement, he has gained the respect of both his fellow officers and the families and students he has helped. He has trained probation officers and worked as a corporal in the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) Gang Unit before joining the OCDA. Chief Sentman of Orange County Probation Department commented, “Investigator Ruiz has remained committed to working with at-risk youth and their families. Upon retiring from SAPD, he chose to continue his work with this population in a different capacity – this time through the District Attorney’s Office … where he continues to positively impact at-risk youth in Orange County. Kevin, we offer our most sincere thanks for the many years of collaboration with the Orange County Probation Department.”

Together, OC Grip and the Kiwanis Club of Santa Ana strives to empower youth in Orange County, increasing school attendance and decreasing gang involvement by opening new opportunities through local educational and recreational service.

About OC GRIP

OC GRIP was founded under District Attorney Tony Rackauckas’ direction in 2007 and has since then been the largest gang prevention program in the United States. The OC GRIP program involves over 200 law enforcement partners, 12 School Districts, faith-based groups, private businesses, non-profit organizations, 300 community partners and over 4,000 volunteers to prevent kids from participating in gang activity. OC GRIP has set out to provide education and recreational opportunities for students who struggled with truancy, keeping up with their grades, and behaving appropriately in school. OC GRIP also supports students by holding hundreds of parent intervention meetings, faculty presentations, and gang prevention education courses prepared and delivered by law enforcement officials. OC GRIP sponsored clubs and camps provide a safe, confidence-building environment for at-risk juveniles across the county

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TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney

Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Michelle Van Der Linden,Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486