PHOTOS: Gang Prevention Program Grows

The program to discourage gang membership that started in San Juan Capistrano and Mission Viejo schools has expanded into a second neighborhood.

Parents in the San Juan Capistrano neighborhood known as Village San Juan are now volunteering as greeters and keepers of the peace at the three bus stops in their neighborhood. The kids are bussed to and , both in Mission Viejo.

The , or GRIP, has had a "greeter program" for a few years, signing up parents and other volunteers simply to offer a friendly face as students come to campus in the morning.

Then last month, in San Juan Capistrano, at the four bus stops there. Parents don the orange vest, give a smile and get the students’ day started off right.

The program was so successful, law enforcement officials wanted to bring it to the Village, said , the San Juan Capistrano school resources officer with the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

“It takes a village is the concept,” said Celene Corley, the crime prevention specialist in San Juan, for a moment not realizing the pun.

Parents have always walked their kids to the bus stops in the Village, but they typically only minded their own children, Abe said.

“Now they are looking after the community,” he said.

After serving up some coffee and donuts, Abe addressed the parents Monday morning, the start of the new program’s second week.

“This is your community. You guys live here,” he said. “So whatever happens in the community is only as good as you’re going to make it. It starts with you guys.”