A state anti-crime group, in a report to be released today, is calling for expansion of federal and state after-school programs for teenagers to help prevent violent crime that occurs in late afternoon.

After-school hours are prime time for teenagers to commit or be victims of homicide, rape, robbery and assault, according to the report from Fight Crime: Invest in Kids California, an organization representing more than 260 sheriffs, police chiefs, district attorneys and violence victims.

Studies suggest that after-school programs can help reduce teen crime, violence, sex, pregnancy, drug and alcohol use, truancy and discipline problems, the report says. One study found that teenagers who did not participate in a San Francisco after-school program were two to three times more likely to be arrested over six months than those who participated.

But only 3 percent of high schools in California operate federally funded after-school programs, which is a "dangerous shortage," said Brian Lee, policy director for the group and author of the report.

The group is asking for the state to continue to set aside funding for high schools in the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant program and for increases in state and federal funding when the economy improves.

Proposition 49, backed by Arnold Schwarzenegger before he was governor and approved by voters in 2002, guarantees funding for elementary and middle school after-school programs but not high schools.

Maya Hernandez, coordinator of the after-school program at Richmond High School, said about 50 students show up for academic help, performing arts classes and community service activities each day. Sometimes students say they come to the program to avoid a fight after school, she said.

"There is a value and a place for young people connecting to programs like this," she said.

There are no formal after-school programs at Livermore's two high schools, said Livermore Police Chief Steve Krull, a member of the Fight Crime group. Crime peaks in the city in the late afternoon, and young people seem to be involved in a lot of the activity during that time, he said.

"If you put the dollars for prevention, you are going to save more in the long run," he said.

The high school programs will not succeed unless teens take part, Lee said. Youth input, meaningful relationships and opportunities to build skills are key to success, he added.

"Offering what the teens are interested in and asking them what they're interested in is where we've seen proven success."