Font ResizeA state senator is imploring the Legislature to acknowledge Utah's gang problem.
Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City, plans to introduce a resolution during the next legislative session urging state and local governments to work together to reduce gang activity.
Robles told the Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee on Wednesday that although the state's coffers are stretched thin -- leaving little money to dedicate toward anti-gang initiatives -- passing a resolution would send a message that communities need to collaborate with law enforcement, schools and other groups to discourage gang membership.
"The fact that the Legislature recognizes that we have a problem and that we will work together will speak volumes," Robles said, who unsuccessfully introduced a similar resolution during the 2009 session.
"We can no longer act like nothing is happening in our communities."
Robles' comments came after the interim committee received an update on the work of the Governor's Gang Task Force and a Salt Lake City steering committee organized by Mayor Ralph Becker that is charged with implementing a nationally recognized "comprehensive gang model."
The gang model calls for grass-roots volunteer organizations, law enforcement and the courts to work together through a mix of programs and community activities to help gang-involved youth. Becker has said there are plans to hire gang outreach workers to implement
Leticia Medina, who co-chairs the steering committee and also serves as executive director of the anti-gang Colors of Success program administered in Salt Lake City and Ogden schools, said Wednesday that teams involved in establishing the gang model are making progress.
She said the steering committee is working to figure out how to connect gang-involved families with the resources they need -- such as job training, education or other activities. She said efforts include "street-based mediation that facilitates the redirection of gang members" into more positive life choices.
She asked legislators to make gang intervention a well-funded alternative to gang suppression. She said investing in gang prevention and intervention programs could bring a long-term solution to the state's gang issues.
Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, agreed.
"It's vital we help these kids in early intervention ... and not wait until incarceration where it's so much more expensive and difficult on families," he said, following Medina's presentation.
Robles' resolution idea received support from several committee members, including Rep. Eric Hutchings, R-Kearns, who said funding for gang prevention and intervention initiatives needs to be a priority, despite a challenging economy.
Hutchings said he has watched neighbors in Kearns fall victim to gang crime.
"This is murder. This is crime. This is real blood on the streets," said Hutchings of gang violence. "We need to wake up and pay attention. We're behind on the curve and we need to move much faster."
