A meeting called by Mark Molina, a member of the city's police planning task force, with 30 attendees met Tuesday to begin discussion. Attendees included police officers; school officials and youth outreach program representatives to discuss youth gangs in Springfield.
"Whether or not anyone knows about it, (gang activity) is real," Molina told the group, which gathered in a meeting room at the Springfield School District's administration building.
Police agree, stating that they identified more than three dozen people in Springfield affiliated with the Sur 13 gang [definition]-- out of California.
Some of the attendees talked about why youth become involved in gangs in the first place, others feel that offering teens constructive activities is the answer.
and why not... the DA advertises in the paper what crimes it will not prosecute and the government refuses to prosecute people who violate federal laws... who wouldn't think that gangs would form and run rapid?
8 comments:
I'm sorry but didn't we establish earlier that we can't speak ill of any law breakers of the Hispanic extraction in Springfield?
when you think about it, what is there for kids to do today? Especially if you're not in to sports.
when I was growing up, we had the gut on Willamette Street, we had the Speedway... and I know of one company that tried to set up a dance hall for kids (alcohol and drug-free, with security) and the neighbors complained loudly about the idea.
Robin
You are right. Another example of social engineering.
Bobkatt, I think you should give credit to the person leading the way to extract the gang is of Hispanic origin.
It works the same with almost any 'crime'. If people had jobs, they probably wouldn't steal or rob and if the kids had something else to do, they wouldn't join a gang. I am really bothered by all the homeless teens in Eugene/Springfield. They will gravitate towards whoever helps them.
I would be willing to give credit to mister Molina if he was also interested in the problem of illegal aliens. However, he is one of the most vocal opponents to shout down councilman Ralstons request to have a discussion about that problem. Also I doubt the veracity of a Hispanic organizer that claims to never have heard of La Raza. This quote from the Register Guard by Mr. Molina-"When he mentions La Raza and other groups, I have no idea what he’s talking about," Molina said.
First of all, its "run rampant" not "run rapid".
Secondly, talking about curbing Sur 13 and other gang activity should not be contradictory with providing a welcoming atmosphere for those who wish to move to Springfield. Soon to be ex-Councilor Ralston focused on the exact wrong aspect when he went off on his little email tantrum this summer. If we paint all latinos with the criminal brush than how do we expect anyone to cooperate with law enforcement to clean up a problem that affects all of Springfield?
The reason why an overwhelming majority of police chiefs oppose undoing Oregon's 181 laws is because those most in need of services (ie domestic violence, robbery, meth neighbors) or with information about criminals will not come forward for fear of prosecution.
And regarding the not so subtle attacks on Mark Molina; as far as I know not every latino is handed a guidebook entitled "A guide to all latino organizations". I bet half of the commenters on this blog couldn't identify Volksfront or Stormfront if asked the question. Some of you, however, are apparantly members.
Leave Molina alone, he is doing a good thing.
anonymous 12:47-you are the only one painting all latinos with the criminal brush. It's about illegals, people that have and continue to break our laws. If you don't have a problem with that then you are part of the problem. To continue to race bait and insinuate that members of this blog are Neo-Nazis just shows that you have no legitimate argument which was immediately obvious by your opening statement fixating on grammar.
I always get a kick when people point out my mis-spellings. :-)
-Robin
Post a Comment