Exclusive: Fighting Gang Violence Should Be a Community Affair

by BRUCE C. MARTIN, MPP June 6, 2008

We are left every day with the continuing dilemma of a lack of solution to the underlying problem of gangs and gang violence. Citizens across the United States constantly ask law enforcement officers like me, "Why is it hard to defeat gang violence?"

In fighting gang violence and responding to gang violence situations, law enforcement is organized to confront gang members with its principal force response/method: arrest them ("Book ‘em Danno!") As one who has put handcuffs on criminals throughout a 26-year police career, I can tell you that using this method alone will provide only a momentary disruption. What is required as a society is the development of a method to disrupt gang members' efforts at spreading their ideology to youngsters, who are certainly more impressionable.

The best approach I have found in recent years was discussed in a news article approximately four years ago. The article profiled the research results published by Dr. Felton Earls, professor of human behavior and development at the Harvard School of Public Health. In it, Dr. Earls and his colleagues argue "that the most important influence on a neighborhood's crime rate is neighbors' willingness to act, when needed, for one another's benefit, and particularly for the benefit of one another's children."

It takes a neighborhood that is willing to tell the young thugs to "get out of this neighborhood!" That includes turning in family/friends/neighbors if necessary. Until a sufficient number of residents in each neighborhood (are you listening men?) face the thugs off, they will continue to intimidate and rule no matter how many police officers there are.

Also, local governments have the responsibility to enact clear and unambiguous "zero tolerance" laws/ordinances:

• NO DRINKING IN THE PARKING LOT
• NO STANDING ON THE SIDEWALK OUTSIDE OF THE LIQUOR STORE
• NO LIQUOR IN THE PARKS
• NO CONGREGATING IN GROUPS OF 3 OR MORE ON THE CORNER
• NO SMOKING
• NO INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR IN FRONT OF THE CHILDREN!

The article highlighting Dr. Earl's analysis further stated:

"As for policy implications, Dr. Earls said that rather than focusing on arresting squeegee men and graffiti scrawlers, local governments should support the development of cooperative efforts in low-income neighborhoods by encouraging neighbors to meet and work together. Indeed, cities that sow community gardens, he said, may reap a harvest of not only kale and tomatoes, but safer neighborhoods and healthier children."

Therefore, city/community parks within these jurisdictions should be designed for small children. Only one adult parent/escort would be allowed per child, who should be able to go to a park without facing any danger.

Finally, law-abiding and like-minded citizens should demand from the law enforcement Chief Executive Officer in their jurisdiction that career officers be assigned to provide age-appropriate instruction related to the destructive aspects of gang culture as well as drug awareness. By having such lessons taught to young students, it can be hoped that gang activity and recruitment as well as drug abuse will be reversed, and acceptance of appropriate youth activities (sports, music, scouting, etc.) will be enhanced.

The achievement of a reversal in gang violence will be difficult. Many communities will see an oscillating violence pattern. The success of any program will require a commitment from parents, schools, businesses and communities to accept the challenge to as many ideas, beyond the use of force/arrest by police, as possible to eradicate the gang problem.

If we are not prepared to do so, across all lines, then we will have to admit that ours is a failed society.

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Bruce C. Martin, MPP, is the commander for the Marina (California) Police Department Support Services Division and a professional firefighter. Feedback: editorialdirector@familysecuritymatters.org