By Greg Moran

CITY HEIGHTS — The indictment in 2010 of four Somali immigrant men, including the leader of a local mosque, on charges of supporting the terrorist group al-Shabaab sent tremors through San Diego’s Somali community.

A month after the indictments were issued, U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy and other law enforcement officials held a community meeting in City Heights, where about 50 people attended to ask questions and voice concerns about the investigation.

From that modest beginning has grown an outreach program that brought together members of the Somali community and law enforcement officials for bimonthly meetings.

The Somali Community Law Enforcement Roundtable meets bimonthly to discuss issues in the community, build trust and improve communications.

The members also plan events and projects in the community, including one set for Saturday at Colina del Sol Park and Recreation Center in City Heights.

The Youth Athletic and Resource Fair will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will feature a basketball tournament for boys and soccer clinic for girls.

Duffy said the regular meetings address issues such as youth unemployment and give law enforcement information about Somali customs and culture.

Developing a closer relationship with the Somalis also could make them more comfortable and willing to report concerns about gang involvement or Islamic radicalization among youths and young adults, Duffy said.

She said the roundtable model has worked well and could be repeated with other groups, such as Latinos.

The case that led to this community outreach effort ended this year with the four men convicted of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and to a foreign terrorist organization, and money laundering conspiracy.

Source: UTSandiego