From now until September 2010, Durham leaders, law enforcement and even the federal government will be working hard to remove an unwanted four letter word from association with Durham -- gang.

Durham's new gang coordinator, Tim Henderson, stood before Durham City Council Thursday to give his first of many status reports over the next three years.

In September 2007, Durham, along with Wake County, was granted a $2.5 million grant to fight gangs. The $1.25 million Durham received will go towards prevention, intervention and re-entry of gang members and potential gang members.

"We make good connections with community and take the assessment part very seriously," Henderson said. "Each community comes with its own issues and its own circumstance."

But pinpointing what each area of Durham faces is only half the battle. Henderson said the community will play a vital role in the anti-gang iniative's success.

The check for the granted was received on June 16. A steering committee was formed to prioritize the 45 recommendations the city had to combat the gang problem. Its first meeting was on July 9.

"We don't want to pinpoint a certain date these monies will start to be used, but we hope in the next week we can start spending," Henderson said.

City Council members had a list of questions for Henderson and his game plan to rid the city of its gang problems.

"What contacts have you made in the community?" Mayor Pro-Tem Cora Cole-McFadden said. "I think it's really important to have you meshing well with the community," Cole-McFadden said.

The grant will be divided up into three groups: prevention, intervention and re-entry. About $500,000 will be allocated to the law enforcement. The remainder of the grant will go toward community partnerships as well as youth mentoring groups and activities to keep kids from joining gangs.

"What we want to focus on is opportunity for youth and positive youth development to support their aspirations." Henderson said. "Basically, that nurturing feeling of someone is helping me get to where I want to be."