We Will Never Solve Our Gang Problem By Bishop Cornelius As of September 30, the San Diego Police Department official report on gang crimes is as follows: we’ve had 3 gang homicides, there have been 10 attempted murders, 139 assaults with a deadly weapon, 9 shootings at a house, 100 robberies, 51 auto thefts, and 492 other crimes committed by gang members from January 2013-September 2013. Altogether, between this time there have been 804 crimes committed by gang members in the City of San Diego. Anyone who understands how gangs work knows that this is only the tip of the iceberg. What is not included in this data are the homicides and other crimes that gang members from the city of San Diego commit in other city jurisdictions like La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, El Cajon, National City, Chula Vista and so forth. I think you get the picture. Also, this data doesn’t include all the intra gang homicides (when a gang member kills his homeboy). Recently, the majority of gang members that have lost their lives have been at the hand of one of their homeboys, and the SDPD doesn’t include these homicides because of a California law called, California Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act. Which one part of this law basically implies that a gang member killing his homeboy is not considered a gang crime because they say, “it doesn’t benefit the gang.” Nevertheless, all the above mentioned is not the real reason why we will never get close to curtailing gang violence. The real reason we will never stop gang violence and crimes, and I mean not even come close to a solution, is because those with the power, money, and resources don’t care. Yes, of course they pretend to care, but when it comes to action, well, there is none. 1 John 3:17-18, 7 If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to Gods love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. When We Practice Real Love 18 my dear children, lets not just talk about love; lets practice real love. (from THE MESSAGE) What I have observed about the powers that be, none of them want to deal with the gang problem with a 10 feet pole (metaphorically speaking). It is hard to help someone that you despise. The gang member is one of the most despised people in the community. Our community treats the gang member like he is part of the problem, when actually gangs are only a symptom to a greater problem we have in our community. Those in decision making positions to help solve out gang problem are too worried about failing, so they play it safe. They play is safe by going after the at risk youth. These are young people who are not in a gang but may be at risk of joining a gang (whatever that mean). I believe going after “at risk youth” maybe a noble thing to do; however, it is the wrong approach. Let me tell you why: 1) Only 10 percent of the 100 percent of “at risk” youth will join a gang. 2) Only 3-4 percent of our youth who are in gangs commit violent acts and other gang crimes. 3) The other 90 percent of our youth that are not in gangs are receiving resources in our community, but the 10 percent in gangs, which are the most vulnerable and undeserved, doesn’t receive any resources until they get incarcerated or is place on probation. Even then, the resources they receive at best are run of the mill services. So then, you have all these programs blowing the trumpet of success for their programs by playing the numbers game. They say things like, “we serve 100 hundred ‘at risk’ youth and out of the 100 youth only 10 youth joined a gang.” However, that would have been the outcome if there were no services provided at all to that population. These providers are able to beat the drum of success but homicides and other gang crimes continue to rise. I don’t really blame the programs and providers for this because that is the only way they will get funding for their programs. We must take a closer look at those who have the power, money and resources. So then, who has the power, money and resources? You will have to talk to the DA’s office, City Attorney office, the County, Probation, SDPD, the City of San Diego, and private foundations. We must also hold accountable programs that are receiving money from the mentioned above, and watch out for the poverty pimps. You know those guys that try to capitalize on the gang problem in our community to line their pockets—I’m just sayin. In my conclusion, until we start developing programs that will throw a life line to the 3-4 percent of our youth that are actually committing the homicides and other gang crimes we will never solve our gang problem…and the beat goes on. Also, you have to get more involve. Come to our DOVE vigils to speak out against violence. Take a more active roll in the community. As we come together we be able to shake the powers that be. They are not listening to me, but they will have to listen to hundreds of us. There is strength in numbers.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 20:16:04 +0000