Thread: Schumer proposes $1 billion war on street gangs

http://www.knowgangs.com/news/feb07/0201.php

Schumer proposes $1 billion war on street gangs



STEVE LIEBERMAN
THE JOURNAL NEWS


Crime stats
Reported violent crimes 2000 2005
Westchester 2,624 2,632
Rockland 635 540
Putnam 53 93
Hudson Valley* 5,920 6,055
Statewide 23,310 25,113

Reported drug arrests
2000 2005
Westchester 2,203 3,532
Rockland 439 592
Putnam 119 158
Hudson Valley* 5,379 7,763
Statewide 19,113 22,449
* Additionally includes Orange, Dutchess, Sullivan, Greene, Columbia and Ulster counties.
Source: U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer's Office.




U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer wants the federal government to declare a nationwide war on street gangs.

The New York Democrat yesterday proposed spending more than $1 billion over five years and passing tougher laws to fight a nationwide surge in gang violence and drug dealing.

Schumer unveiled a staff report that shows a rise in violent crime and drug arrests across New York from 2000 to 2005 as an example for the entire country.

The report indicated a 10 percent rise in violent crimes and a 20 percent jump in drug arrests - increases the senator said law enforcement officials attributed to a rise in street gang activity.

In the Lower Hudson Valley, Rockland bucked the trend - its violent crime numbers dropped. Drug arrests in the county increased.

Westchester's violent crime numbers remained static, with an increase in drug arrests. Putnam saw more violent crime and drug arrests.

"These statistics show that gangs are spreading like a virus," Schumer said yesterday during a conference call with reporters.

"The best vaccine to combat the rise of gangs and gang violence is a comprehensive assault to break those gangs up and provide more support for law enforcement," he said.

The proposed Gang Abatement and Prevention Act of 2007 would allocate $1 billion over five years for law enforcement to fight gangs on the streets and $50 million for police and educational programs in schools.

The bill would fund investigations, prosecutions, short-term witness protection programs and gang prevention services. An estimated $100 million alone would go toward hiring prosecutors, staff and technology.

The package is co-sponsored by Schumer and Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Diane Feinstein, D-Calif.,

Schumer's effort won support from Rockland District Attorney Michael Bongiorno, president of the New York State District Attorneys Association.

Street gangs are criminal enterprises, and selling drugs finances their operations, Bongiorno said. The gangs referred to were local groups, as well as nationwide organizations, such as the Bloods, Crips, Latin Kings and MS-13. Those gangs are represented, among others, in the Lower Hudson Valley.

"I think Senator Schumer is correct when he connects gang violence and crimes to drug dealing," Bongiorno said. "Gangs make their money and sustain themselves on drug sales. Drug dealing spurs violent crimes like robbery and assaults."

Bongiorno said Rockland and the region have been relatively unscarred by gangs because police and his prosecutors attack the drug trade.

He said the increase in violent crimes, especially upstate, is attributable to what he called the weakening of Rockefeller drug laws, allowing the early release of people convicted of drug crimes.

"There are more drug dealers out on the street today than two years ago," Bongiorno said.

As part of the $1 billion spending package, Schumer proposed $90 million in grants to fund witness protection programs nationwide.

Bongiorno said more money for witness protection is one of the association's budget priorities before the Legislature in Albany.

Schumer also proposed making it a federal crime to recruit young people into gangs.

Bongiorno said the association also is working with state lawmakers to craft anti-gang legislation.

Schumer's "School Safety Enhancements Act," co-sponsored with Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., finance police officers and programs to prevent violence and gang influences in the elementary and secondary schools.

The grants also would pay for equipment, such as metal detectors and surveillance cameras, he said.

Schumer also spoke about the Senate Democrats funding the COPS in Schools Program, which President Bush eliminated in fiscal 2006.

The New York Democrat yesterday proposed spending more than $1 billion over five years and passing tougher laws to fight a nationwide surge in gang violence and drug dealing.

This would be a big waste of money without closing the borders. Half or more of our street gang problem comes from none other than Mexico. Here's another big waste:
http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?nam...=287613#287613

Chuck Schumer who never saw an ILLEGAL he didn't like to give AMNESTY to..........

right chucky, let's dump more money into the gang problem while you let more infiltrate NY......then what? Another Billion from the taxpayers?

FRAUD

Shumer said:
[quote][The New York Democrat yesterday proposed spending more than $1 billion over five years and passing tougher laws to fight a nationwide surge in gang violence and drug dealing.
/quote]

1 Billion would be more than enough to extract every single illegal alien, and gang member in the U.S. FIND THEM, BIND THEM, AND DEPORT EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM!

"These statistics show that gangs are spreading like a virus," Schumer said yesterday during a conference call with reporters.

Brilliant Schumer, but do ya see a connection....... illegal aliens "spreading like a virus"........increased violent crime ........gangs?

It's time to address the root of the problem, not just the symptom!! Stop playing footsy with the illegals and their criminal gangs and send them packing.

This ILLEGAL INVASION is a veritable CASH COW for the government with both parties benefiting at the monsterous expense of the American People.

The proposed Gang Abatement and Prevention Act of 2007 would allocate $1 billion over five years for law enforcement to fight gangs on the streets and $50 million for police and educational programs in schools.


Why? the ACLU is just going to come along and defend them!!! waste of damn money

Use that money to build the walls....if these vote grabbing politicians had enforced our laws from the get-go, we wouldn't have these problems!

This was originally posted by Moosetracks. I deleted the separate topic and added the post here.

Schumer wants 1 Billion to fight gangs...put the money on the walls first...let him know what you think.


www.schumer.senate.gov