The Associated Press
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Gov. Bill Richardson has a $2 million plan for keeping gangs from getting a foothold in New Mexico, especially the state’s rural communities.
Police say street gangs are expanding into rural areas and that urban gangs are becoming more sophisticated. Law enforcement officials say they are having trouble keeping up.
Richardson, during a news conference Monday, called gang violence a crisis in New Mexico that threatens safety, families and the futures of children.
“This is why we must take decisive action now,” he said.
More than 100 drive-by shootings have been reported in Roswell this year, children as young as 11 are being recruited in Espanola and Clovis has had five gang-related killings this year, according to the governor’s office.
“Gangs are not welcome here, and we will put them out of business,” Richardson said. “We are mobilizing all available state and community resources for this effort.”
About 75 percent of the $2 million would go toward prevention, such as having police officers teach anti-gang classes to elementary and middle school students. Some of the programs would involve Kasey, a police dog already being used for anti-drug education.
A version of the anti-gang classes would be taught at juvenile correctional facilities and to youths who are on probation. The classes would include lessons for youths who are already in gangs.
Law enforcement officials who attended Monday’s news conference recognized the need for education.
“The education component of (this plan) is so very important,” said Bernalillo Police Chief Fred Radosevich. “Law enforcement can only do so much.”
The remaining money would expand Drug Court into a drug and gang court and expand programs in the Corrections Department. It would also replace federal funds cut from the New Mexico Gang Task Force’s budget.
The governor said he would ask the Legislature to pass laws increasing penalties for gang-related crime.
Convicted felons would have to do an extra two to eight years of prison time - based on the severity of the crime - if they committed the felony for a gang.
Richardson’s proposed legislation would also make it illegal to recruit for a gang or retaliate against someone who leaves a gang.