Jeff Carr was chosen by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa last year to bring a fresh eye to gang problems in a city seen nationally as a launching pad for bands of violent youth. (L.A. Times photo)
L.A. Times interviews Nazarene minister leading city's anti-gang efforts
Friday, February 22, 2008
Los Angeles, California
Jeff Carr, an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene and Northwest Nazarene University graduate, was chosen last summer by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to lead anti-gang efforts in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Times recently spoke with Carr about the challenges he faces.

TIMES: Do you think gang members look at you differently because you're a minister?

Carr: I don't know. Maybe some of them do. I mean it's interesting. In my past, the thing that was most abrupt to people is that I'm a white guy.

Someone said to me the other day, it's interesting being Caucasian, it sort of galvanizes people's focus and attention on you. But then when they see that I'm very comfortable and at ease in those situations [with gang members in a diverse community], it sort of takes people off guard so it probably gives me a little bit of an advantage, that people, you know, see me different.

And then after they find out I'm a minister to boot, then that really throws them off guard.

For the full interview, see: Los Angeles Times: Minister Takes on L.A. Gangs.