Anti-Gang Legislation

A measure aimed at curbing the state's growing gang problem is awaiting Gov. Mike Easley's signature after winning Senate approval Tuesday. The "Street Gang/Prevention and Intervention" bill cleared the House last week. The legislation tasks local Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils with developing programs to tackle delinquency, substance abuse and gang prevention. Lawmakers are also considering a bill that would create new crimes for gang activity. That bill has passed the Senate but has not cleared the House. Key to both bills is $10 million in gang prevention funding that is contained in the House and Senate budget proposals. The prevention legislation needs the money to start programs, and House leaders say they won't pass the punitive legislation without the money for prevention. (Dan Kane, THE NEWS & OBSERVER, 6/25/08).

*Blog Editor Note* This is a key legislative priority for NASW-NC. We worked to stop the previous incarnations of this bill because there was no funding for Appropriations. We are in support of this as long as the funding makes it through the budgetary process. The companion bill is still making its way through the legislative process. JR