The Slick Boys: A Ten Point Plan to Rescue Your Community by Three Chicago Cops Who Are Making I

In 1990, Davis, Martin and Holcomb, plainclothes cops in Chicago's crime-ridden housing projects, formed a rap music group, the Slick Boys (slang for ""undercover cops""). Rapping and telling their personal stories of survival--all three grew up black and poor in the projects--the trio have spread their anti-gang, anti-drug message in performances at schools, prisons, drug rehabilitation clinics and juvenile detention centers across the country. Written with People journalist Fisher, this report interweaves the Slick Boys' scorching autobiographical narratives--Davis is a former gang member; Martin's mother held up banks and served time; Holcomb was arrested by brutal racist cops who falsely accused him of armed robbery. It features a 10-point program for working with gang members and other troubled youth, organized around such precepts as ""Have big expectations,"" ""Speak the language,"" ""Don't play to the stereotypes."" In an epilogue that recounts their continuing attempts to keep a peace--however fragile--among the gangs at Cabrini-Green, the Slick Boys make clear the need for continued community effort; throughout, they profile community action and youth services programs while a 63-page appendix lists many such organizations. Their grassroots insights into violence, abuse, delinquency and addiction and their straight-shooting writing style effectively target this handbook to its intended audience. Author tour. (Sept.)