Sponsored by:
Assemblyman GORDON M. JOHNSON
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Memorializes Congress to establish and maintain national gang member relocation program.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution respectfully memorializing the United States Congress to establish and maintain a youth gang member relocation program.
Whereas, Criminal Street Gang violence is an emergent problem in both the cities and suburbs of the United States; and
Whereas, While national figures have shown a decline in violent crime generally, the proportion of violent crimes committed by gang members has increased, and in 2003, juvenile gang members committed over 800 murders across the nation; and
Whereas, Gangs generally use their influence to recruit minors, and thus, many gang members are only in their teens when they are exposed to drug use and are responsible for the commission of serious violent crimes; and
Whereas, In many cases, minors or young adults are likely to join gangs out of necessity given that the danger of being unaffiliated, and thus unprotected, outweighs the risks associated with being a gang member; and
Whereas, In areas where gangs are most prevalent, it is common practice for gang members to threaten minors with bodily injury or death if the minor either refuses to join a gang or attempts to withdraw from gang affiliation; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper for the United States Congress to establish and maintain a national program dedicated to relocating young gang members who wish to withdraw from gang affiliation, but fear gang-threatened bodily harm or death; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The General Assembly of the State of New Jersey respectfully memorializes the Congress of the United States to establish and maintain a national relocation program for young gang members who are threatened with severe bodily harm or death when attempting to withdraw from gang affiliation.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to each member of New Jersey's congressional delegation and to the Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, and the President and Secretary of the United States Senate.
STATEMENT
This Assembly Resolution respectfully memorializes the United States Congress to establish and maintain a national relocation program for young gang members who are threatened with severe bodily harm or death when attempting to withdraw from gang affiliation. In areas where gangs are most prevalent, it is common practice for gang members to threaten minors with bodily injury or death if the minor either refuses to join a gang or attempts to withdraw from gang affiliation. A program dedicated to relocating young gang members who wish to escape gang affiliation is an essential step in decreasing gang violence and saving the lives of young adults who are willing to reform.