Gang violence is always a problem that deserves attention. It is bred out of poverty, eats up the lives of youths and then threatens the quality of life in many cities, including Buffalo. Sen. Charles Schumer, along with several Senate Republicans, is promoting a Criminal Street Gang Abatement Act in order to decrease gang influence. The act, while having good intentions, will not adequately solve the major issues.
The act has two focuses: increasing penalties and instituting community-based programs. The bulk of the act is based on punitive measures, including sentencing rules and stepped up police presence. Some of those measures are important, but there is a lot of room for error. Moreover, it is inherently out of touch with the actual problem.
Using the death penalty to enforce gang related crimes, as the bill proposes, would do very little, as those who choose the gang lifestyle are aware of the dangers. Gang members are prepared for death, if it comes from law enforcement officials or rival gangs. The death penalty is simply not an effective deterrent.
The proposed act is heavy on penalties, when rehabilitation should be more of a focus. Teenagers who choose the gang lifestyle are guilty of making a bad choice, but there is still enough time to recover and be productive for society. Gangs are an easy way out and an excuse, and when the choice is made, there should be room for second chances, except if a violent crime is committed.
The other faulty area involving gang legislation is what constitutes initiation and recruiting. Several gang legislations, especially in the Los Angeles area, have failed because they could not distinguish between normal occasions of several people walking together. The law is too vague in some cases, and when it tries to deal with crimes for initiation, it is too harsh.
Community-based programs, such as "research, intervention services and crime prevention" are woefully inadequate, even if they receive $200 million over the next five years. That money would be much better served as part of job training or after school programs and sports. The bonds of poverty are very difficult to break, and the government should work to promote production instead of act as negative reinforcement.
Keeping teenagers busy and off the streets is a desirable goal, and when the money is available, it is a shame it is being used mostly to punish. It is excellent to see Schumer willing to spend money to address problems of the impoverished, but the direction of the funding is incorrect and should be reevaluated. Gang violence can be solved, but these measures are logistically shaky and insufficient.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
