The Orem City Council is considering enforcing a new state statute that allows municipalities to prohibit gangs from loitering in specific areas, including parks and schools.

Utah County has about 15 active gangs that sometime operate in Orem, said Mike Larsen, director of public safety.

"In the last 18 months, Utah County has seen an increase in violent crime from gangs," he said. Those activities include drive-by shootings, stabbings and gunfights, among other things.

Larsen presented the Council with its options under the new Utah law. In order for the Council to declare specific locations as "no loitering areas" for gangs, it must demonstrate that identifiable gang members have gathered in those exact locales to carry out criminal activity or intimidate other citizens.

The statute does not define such areas as "gang-free," Larsen said, because the Constitution allows citizens --- even gang members -- to assemble for lawful purposes.

The new no-loitering law, however, can help law enforcement "get a handle" on gang activity, Larsen said. In many instances, crime occurs after gang members meet in groups in areas they claim as their "turf."

The Orem Police Department is proposing that the city identify, by passing a resolution, some parks and some public schools as locations where gangs cannot loiter. He did not give specific locations.

The council has yet to schedule a vote on the proposal.

If a known

gang member -- or gang members -- were to be identified in a no gang-loitering area, law enforcement officers could demand that person leave the location for eight hours, Larsen said. If that gang member returned, he or she could be cited with a misdemeanor.

csmart@sltrib.com -