Post by POETICVIBEZ on May 16, 2005 12:07:21 GMT -5
Gangbuster Law Targets Juveniles
By Tracy L. Scott, BET.com Staff Writer
Posted May 10, 2005 – A Republican-sponsored bill aimed at deterring gang violence unfairly targets people of color and would actually have the reverse effect of increasing violence in poor neighborhoods, say opponents of the legislation.
The Gang Deterrence and Community Protection Act of 2005, introduced in the House by Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.), would allow teenage gang members to be tried as adults and increase the mandatory minimum sentence to 10 years for violent gang-related crimes. The legislation passed through the House Judiciary Committee last month and is on its way to the House floor this week.
“The problem is that the bill is loaded down with excessive and unnecessary mandatory minimum sentences. They disproportionately impact people of color,” Mary Price, general counsel of Families Against Mandatory Minimums, told BET.com Tuesday. “That’s one of the gravest concerns about this legislation.”<br>
However, supporters of the so-called “Gangbuster Bill” argue that the law would especially affect poor and minority communities – where gang activity is most concentrated – by locking away violent offenders for longer periods of time.
“These aren’t petty hoodlums. They’re cutting people’s heads off, doing counter-surveillance on police. They’re trained in a type of violence we’ve not seen heretofore,” Forbes told The Associated Press.
“I’m pleased that the Judiciary Committee is moving swiftly to address the rapid growth of violent criminal gangs in our communities. Gang violence is a problem that lawmakers have failed to address openly for far too long,” Forbes said in a statement.
There are more than 25,000 gangs and 750,000 gang members in the United States, Forbes said.
“In the past, these gangs were in just one area. Now they have networks across the country. We want to create enforcement teams that will do six- or seven-month investigations, and then have trials that will bring whole networks down. States can’t do that,” Forbes said, explaining why a federal statute is necessary, as opposed to relying on state laws.
However, Price and others say the law will only produce more violent criminals.
“This bill promises to create more problems. It allows the Attorney General to transfer youths to adult court and serve time in adult prisons," Price said.
“More people will commit crimes after spending time in adult facilities. Funding should be targeted to communities at risk – to address the root causes. Enforcement is necessary, but we need to look at what drives this violence.”<br>
By Tracy L. Scott, BET.com Staff Writer
Posted May 10, 2005 – A Republican-sponsored bill aimed at deterring gang violence unfairly targets people of color and would actually have the reverse effect of increasing violence in poor neighborhoods, say opponents of the legislation.
The Gang Deterrence and Community Protection Act of 2005, introduced in the House by Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.), would allow teenage gang members to be tried as adults and increase the mandatory minimum sentence to 10 years for violent gang-related crimes. The legislation passed through the House Judiciary Committee last month and is on its way to the House floor this week.
“The problem is that the bill is loaded down with excessive and unnecessary mandatory minimum sentences. They disproportionately impact people of color,” Mary Price, general counsel of Families Against Mandatory Minimums, told BET.com Tuesday. “That’s one of the gravest concerns about this legislation.”<br>
However, supporters of the so-called “Gangbuster Bill” argue that the law would especially affect poor and minority communities – where gang activity is most concentrated – by locking away violent offenders for longer periods of time.
“These aren’t petty hoodlums. They’re cutting people’s heads off, doing counter-surveillance on police. They’re trained in a type of violence we’ve not seen heretofore,” Forbes told The Associated Press.
“I’m pleased that the Judiciary Committee is moving swiftly to address the rapid growth of violent criminal gangs in our communities. Gang violence is a problem that lawmakers have failed to address openly for far too long,” Forbes said in a statement.
There are more than 25,000 gangs and 750,000 gang members in the United States, Forbes said.
“In the past, these gangs were in just one area. Now they have networks across the country. We want to create enforcement teams that will do six- or seven-month investigations, and then have trials that will bring whole networks down. States can’t do that,” Forbes said, explaining why a federal statute is necessary, as opposed to relying on state laws.
However, Price and others say the law will only produce more violent criminals.
“This bill promises to create more problems. It allows the Attorney General to transfer youths to adult court and serve time in adult prisons," Price said.
“More people will commit crimes after spending time in adult facilities. Funding should be targeted to communities at risk – to address the root causes. Enforcement is necessary, but we need to look at what drives this violence.”<br>
