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Ross encouraged by
effectiveness of civil anti-gang injunctions
VANCOUVER
--
State Rep. Charles Ross
and members of the legislative work group on gang-related crime came to
a general consensus this week on ideas to prevent gang violence in
Washington. The group is scheduled to make its recommendations to the
Legislature in December.
The task force, co-chaired by Ross, met Monday and Tuesday in Vancouver
where it heard testimony on the effectiveness of civil anti-gang
injunctions.
Civil injunctions are aimed at prohibiting known gang members from
associating with other gang members, and from being in the vicinity of
weapons, alcohol or drugs. Gang members who fail to comply with the
court order would face immediate incarceration.
Ross is encouraged by the successes of law enforcement agencies in
California who have used civil injunctions against gangs.
“An Oxnard detective told us how two gangs were working in a
neighborhood north of Los Angeles. Gang-related activity dropped off
immediately after the court order, and after two years, the crime and
homicide rate is still below what it was before the civil injunction was
granted,” said Ross, R-Naches.
“I think this approach can work and be very effective in Yakima and
surrounding communities,” added Ross. “The gangs in our area maintain
turf wars and their activities could be restricted inside safety zones.
Civil injunctions could provide another tool toward cracking down on
gang-related activity. This is a real solution that I hope lawmakers
will see and agree with me.”
While civil injunctions have a proven track record of success against
gangs, the group agreed there must be safeguards that ensure civil
liberties are protected.
“I think we can do this right -- by protecting families and also
protecting liberties,” Ross said. “At the same time, we need to value
saving our kids first.”
Ross told the group to remember the call for help that parents voiced in
Yakima in July. He also emphasized to members that they stay focused on
the panel’s principal purpose -- protecting families and children from
the criminal activities of gangs.
“We have to think about our long-term goals and outcomes in what we’re
doing,” said Ross. “Although the financial costs may be great, we cannot
put a cost on families feeling safe in their own neighborhoods.”
On Monday evening, the work group heard testimony from Vancouver-area
parents, educators, law enforcement officials and community leaders who
presented their ideas for legislation and funding. Concerned citizens
also encouraged one another to be persistent and resilient in the
prevention and intervention with gang members.
“It was great to see a community rally together to solve a rapidly
growing problem,” noted Ross. “Several community members testified to
their own experiences intervening with gangs, and their commitment to
continuing that work.”
The task force has met in Yakima, Bellingham and Spokane to discuss
local gang problems and solutions. Future community meetings also are
planned for Tacoma and Sea-Tac.
The work group was created with the passage of SB 5987 during the 2007
legislative session. The measure directed the Washington Association of
Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to oversee a group of gang experts --
appointed by the Legislature -- to evaluate gang-related crime.
“This is a problem that is getting further out of control,” Ross said.
“We have to find constructive solutions in this group, rather than
having a philosophical debate every time we meet.”
In addition to Ross, other Yakima Valley members in the 17-member work
group include Yakima County Sheriff Ken Irwin, Sen. Jim Honeyford,
R-Sunnyside, and local attorney Dan Fessler, who runs the county’s
public defender program.
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For more information, contact:
Sarah Lamb, Public Information
Officer - (360) 786-7720
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