Feds target gangs in crackdown..375 arrests in 23 states

[Ginny]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/03/10/gang.arrests/index.html

What makes Operation Community Shield different from other crackdowns is that federal authorities for the first time are using immigration and customs authorities in an attempt to dismantle what they call "transnational, violent street gangs," according to DHS.

Though the operation no longer discriminates among gangs, the Los Angeles, California-based MS-13 remains a priority. Just last year, FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker testified to a congressional committee that MS-13 had a significant presence in Virginia, New York, California, Texas, Oregon and Nebraska.

The group has about 10,000 "hardcore members," Swecker said, adding that MS-13 was quickly becoming more sophisticated, widespread and violent. Deporting these gang members, Swecker said, "is partially responsible for the growth of those gangs in El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico."

In a news conference Friday, DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff compared fighting gang violence to fighting terrorism. He added that the participation of all levels of law enforcement was necessary to fight the "scourge" of gang violence in communities across the United States.

 

[UberLutheran]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/03/10/gang.arrests/index.html

What makes Operation Community Shield different from other crackdowns is that federal authorities for the first time are using immigration and customs authorities in an attempt to dismantle what they call "transnational, violent street gangs," according to DHS.

Though the operation no longer discriminates among gangs, the Los Angeles, California-based MS-13 remains a priority. Just last year, FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker testified to a congressional committee that MS-13 had a significant presence in Virginia, New York, California, Texas, Oregon and Nebraska.

The group has about 10,000 "hardcore members," Swecker said, adding that MS-13 was quickly becoming more sophisticated, widespread and violent. Deporting these gang members, Swecker said, "is partially responsible for the growth of those gangs in El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico."

In a news conference Friday, DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff compared fighting gang violence to fighting terrorism. He added that the participation of all levels of law enforcement was necessary to fight the "scourge" of gang violence in communities across the United States.

No, I mean it -- are you really sitting down?



Like, in a chair?



OK? Are we ready to go on.



OK.



I agree with this article, and I agree with the crackdown.

On a very personal level, I am tired of being menaced by gangs, of gang markings on fences and stores and even our cars (if gang members have to "musk" something, why can't they "musk" each other and mark their territory that way?).

I vividly remember driving home on South Lamar Boulevard when I ran into a gang fight in the street, and one of the members literally opened the door of my car, got in, and pressed the gas pedal (of my car!) to get out of there!

Fortunately, I was fastened in my seat belt; and once I got back control of the car I shoved the little twirp out the side door (and I'm sorry if the landing was rough because we were going 30 mph).

Gangs in Austin were one reason why this fiery, highly opinionated liberal decided to get a concealed weapon permit. If some guy gets into my car or my house without being specifically asked, he may find himself missing a pair of cajones!

All I have to say about this is "about time!" and I wish this had been done sooner!

 

[JPPT1974]

At least the gangs are off the streets
Where they don't need to be around young children
Especially teenagers!

 

[419gam]

While I agree with the crackdown, arresting gangbangers isn't enough, you have to keep them in prison for a signifigant length of time. I worry that many may just be deported and then recross the border. Also 375 arrests in 23 states is barley a drop in the bucket.

 

[InnerPhyre]

Good deal. My friend CJ was killed by a stray bullet from a gang fight when he was 13 years old. Lock them all up and never let them out.

 

[Norseman]

While I agree with the crackdown, arresting gangbangers isn't enough, you have to keep them in prison for a signifigant length of time. I worry that many may just be deported and then recross the border. Also 375 arrests in 23 states is barley a drop in the bucket.

Coming back after being deported is a crime, and they get locked up for that before being deported again. The deporting is essentially a way of convicting them of something, even if you can't prove they comitted murder or anything else. I'm agreed with you that 375 arrests is hardly a drop in the bucket, though.

Personally, I wouldn't be opposed to the police getting some help from the military here. If any of these guys try to drive off, we could have Apache Longbows in the area to gun them down if they get a clear shot. We could have reservists equipped with police-grade weaponry supplementing the regular police and SWAT forces in raids on any of their hideouts. Basically, the more terrifyingly overwhelming, the better.

In the same way that we have undercover agents posing as prostitutes, I think we should get undercover agents into these gangs and capture or kill every gang member they identify. Doing that will force them to be much, much more cautious about their recruitment. If the gangs don't collapse immediately, attrition will wear them down to nothing. Just like in Afghanistan and Iraq, we should put bounties on the heads of the leaders or more prominent members and tempt anyone who knows them to turn them in. If it's good enough for the citizens of Iraq, it's good enough for us.

 

[Gramaic]

It's good to see people taking the war on crime very seriously.

 

[Ave Maria]

Excellent! It is about time that the feds start cracking down on gangs!

 

[Ginny]

Gangs in Austin were one reason why this fiery, highly opinionated liberal decided to get a concealed weapon permit.

**GASP** A liberal that owns a gun AND a permit?

This world in general is one reason why this fiery, reeking of conservatism Christian will be getting her permit one week from today.

 

[pgp_protector]

It's a start, though I think they need to moove that decemal point 1 or 2 places.

 

[Heiroglyph]

Its not illegal to belong to a gang. So assuming they are cracking down on some other particular crime these people committed the question that begs to be asked is what the heck were they waiting for?

 

[419gam]

Axctually do to injunctions and other measures it can be illegal to belong to a gang.