The war on gangs
A huge percentage of the crime news we write about in the Trenton area is connected to gangs or involves gang members.
Several stories over the past few days offer a perspective on the local and national effort to put a dent in this problem. None of it leaves us encouraged.
- A Trenton Blood was sentenced last week after unsuccessfully arguing that he suffered from something called "Battered Gangster Syndrome," and that's why he shouldn't be held responsible for taking part in the firebombing of a house that left a man and his two young daughters murdered. For those who've argued recently that putting gang crimes on the front page of The Trentonian glorifies these thugs and helps them recruit, hopefully Saturday's headline, "See You in 2037," is a clear enough message to young gangster wannabes. Do the crime and you'll be doing lots of time.
- A story out of Newark details how difficult it is for law enforcement to make a case against gangs, as gang members and people in the community fear being branded as a "snitch."
- And finally, in other parts of the country, small cities facing gang problems similar to Trenton's are trying a new approach. They're suing.
Several stories over the past few days offer a perspective on the local and national effort to put a dent in this problem. None of it leaves us encouraged.
- A Trenton Blood was sentenced last week after unsuccessfully arguing that he suffered from something called "Battered Gangster Syndrome," and that's why he shouldn't be held responsible for taking part in the firebombing of a house that left a man and his two young daughters murdered. For those who've argued recently that putting gang crimes on the front page of The Trentonian glorifies these thugs and helps them recruit, hopefully Saturday's headline, "See You in 2037," is a clear enough message to young gangster wannabes. Do the crime and you'll be doing lots of time.
- A story out of Newark details how difficult it is for law enforcement to make a case against gangs, as gang members and people in the community fear being branded as a "snitch."
- And finally, in other parts of the country, small cities facing gang problems similar to Trenton's are trying a new approach. They're suing.
posted by Trentonian Editor at
11:11 PM
1 Comments:
What a joke, suing who for what?
Since it's rare anyone knows who the drive by shooter really was, when do you expect to collect anything from him? This concept is one of the worst attempts to solve the problem yet. Has anyone ever heard of charging each and everyone of them with conspiracy. After their arrested for anything gang related, they should wear an ankle bracelet. This will alleviate the need to search them down as well as keeping them away from one another. No gang member wants someone wearing a bracelet near them. This would alleviate their connecting and planning to committ more crimes. In addition, they all need to get serious time. Stop this revolving door process and get real serious with the sentencing. Stop sending them all to the same prisons, it's old home week when they get there, and what does that deter. Split them up. When someone has to do real hard time away from their cohorts, in a strange place i.e. pelican bay, folsom, marion, etc., let's read some of those letters back home. But wait, I'm sure law enforcement has already figured out a better plan.
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