GANG TRUCE WORKED, COULD AGAIN.

Byline: William Flores and Patricia O'Donnell Brummett Local View

WE are writing in response to the Daily News article ``Gang violence blamed for more Valley slayings,'' published on April 3.

As the co-principal investigators who evaluated the Communities in Schools of San Fernando Valley/Valley Unity Peace Treaty for the California Legislature, we are troubled by the assertion made by Detective Mike Oppelt that the peace treaty was ``just smoke and mirrors.''

Detective Oppelt was in no way involved with the meetings that occurred in 1993 between rival gangs in the Valley. He is in no position to assert that ``there was no gang truce.''

We can assure Daily News readers that there was indeed a gang truce, indeed a peace treaty, and that it was effective. In fact, the person who initiated the truce, Blinky Rodriguez, has received statewide and international recognition, including an international peace prize for his work on the peace treaty.

Gang-related homicides decreased significantly for several years following the peace treaty. Unfortunately, such homicides are on the rise once again.

As with any peace effort (including that of the Middle East), renewed attention needs to be given to such a volatile situation. The young gang cohort of today was not involved with the meetings or truce enacted in 1993. They are therefore not vested in such a treaty as their older siblings, cousins and friends were.

It is essential at this time that the police and community work together in renewing a peace effort between rival gangs. Throwing blame and making false assertions does nothing to solve the recent increase in homicides in the Valley.

It is our hope that the police, politicians and community agencies work together to renew peace in the Valley.

The effort that was undertaken in 1993 can be replicated once again. Once that happens, gang-related homicides and violence in general are likely to decrease immediately.

In order to have longer-term peace, however, the effort needs to continue with each new cohort of gang members.

Our team was tremendously impressed by the success of Communities in the Schools and work of Blinky Rodriguez and Robert Arias.

We applaud the city of Los Angeles for following their example, developing prevention programs that can successfully steer youths away from gang-related violence and toward a more productive future, one that benefits the entire city.