"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift of God?" -- Thomas Jefferson

"And yet the same revolutionary belief for which our forbears fought is still at issue around the globe, the belief that the rights of man come not from generosity of the state but from the hand of God." -- John F. Kennedy

"Because of their belief that power had come from God to each individual, the Framers began the Constitution with the words 'we the people'" -- Newt Gingrich

"There's never been a nation like the United States, ever. It begins with the principles of our founding documents, principles that recognize that our rights come from God, not from our government." -- Marco Rubio


Thursday, December 9, 2010

Crucial state house committee to consider gang bill on Friday - Olympia

Rob McKenna
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF WASHINGTON
1125 Washington Street SE · PO Box 40100 · Olympia WA 98504-0100
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 9, 2010

Attorney General’s Office to make the case for protections for vulnerable communities

OLYMPIA – "Lawmakers are in town getting a jump on the 2011 legislative session, and the Attorney General’s Office has been granted an important opportunity to pitch a bill to reduce gang violence.

The House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee holds a work-session Friday where they’ll consider the Attorney General’s proposals to help kids avoid or drop out of gangs, as well as new civil and criminal tools for reducing overall violence.



“Gang violence is on the rise in Washington, impacting young people from Yakima to Seattle and Spokane to Tacoma,” said Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna. “As a 25-year police detective, Rep. Christopher Hurst is a leader in the area of community safety and he understands how important it is to address this problem before more young people are harmed. We’re grateful that he’s provided this opportunity to further address gang violence.”
Hurst, D-Enumclaw, has worked closely with the Attorney General’s Office on gang violence and other issues. In 2008, he sponsored HB 2712, which officially defines street gangs for the purposes of prosecution and called for a statewide database for information on gangs. Rep. Charles Ross, R-Naches, another close ally on gang issues, sits on the committee, as well. Rep. Ross co-sponsored HB 2712 and has sponsored several other bills to reduce gang violence.

On Friday, Attorney General’s Office Policy Director Chris Johnson will speak to Hurst’s committee about the AGO’s new gang bill and receive feedback about the committee’s preferences for what provisions have the best chance of passing during a busy legislative season.

“In some cities, gang members are responsible for the majority of violent crime,” Johnson said. “When a 10-year-old Seattle gang member receives a gunshot wound, when there are shootings in broad daylight in busy downtown areas, it’s clear we have a problem. I look forward to speaking with the committee about what prosecutors, police and community activists have recommended we do about it.”
Attorney General McKenna announced his proposals last month. His suggested legislation offers a mix of prevention, intervention and prosecution measures to reduce gang violence.

Friday’s meeting will take place at 8 a.m. in House Hearing Room E at the John L. O’Brien Building at the State Capitol.

-30-

Contact:  Dan Sytman, AGO Media Relations Manager, (360) 586-7842"


"In response to violence, Rob McKenna proposes tough legislation for Washington State," click here.  "Silobreaker," click here.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)