For Immediate Release
October 20, 2005
Please Contact: Michael Bloom, 617-722-1650
Senate's
Message to Gangs: You're Not Welcome in MA
Boston,
MA – The Massachusetts Senate today unanimously approved a
sweeping anti-gang initiative that includes a statewide witness
protection program and $11 million grant program to support
collaborative regional anti-gang efforts that focus both on
increased law enforcement activities as well as youth violence
prevention programs.
The bill, written by Senator Jarrett T. Barrios (D-Cambridge)
and Representative Stephen Canessa (D-New Bedford), also
includes increased penalties for using grand jury transcripts to
intimidate a witness and cracks down on the practice of
“community guns” – a phrase used to describe when gang members
pass around a loaded gun to commit crimes.
"No resident should ever have to live in fear of walking down
their street or playing in their neighborhood park," said
Senator Barrios. "We can achieve safer communities by focusing
as much on strengthening criminal penalties for violent gang
activity as we do on supporting community youth programs that
give kids an alternative to gangs."
Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, Senator Cynthia Stone Creem
(D-Newton) and District Attorney Dan Conley, who have been
calling for the establishment of a witness protection program
for over a year, said witness intimidation remains a serious
roadblock to the prosecution of known gang members. The bill
includes $750,000 to run a witness protection program that would
be managed by a seven member board and will provide services
including armed protection or escort, surveillance, and physical
relocation.
“When fear is allowed to scare away the truth, violent criminals
have their way, neighborhoods are paralyzed, and victims are
denied justice,” said D.A. Conley. “In passing this critically
important legislation, the Senate today stands by the side of
victims everywhere in Massachusetts, and stands against those
who deal in guns and gangs and threats. I am extremely grateful
to Senator Barrios for his leadership on this issue, and to
Senate President Travaglini and Ways and Means Chairwoman Murray
for supporting this measure. I urge the House to move on this
bill immediately.”
The community anti-gang grant program, which will be named after
former policeman and Senator Charlie Shannon, was developed in
partnership with the
Metropolitan Mayors Coalition.
The statewide competitive grant program would fund regional,
comprehensive, and multi-disciplinary approaches to combating
gangs and youth violence. The grant program includes a provision
requiring communities to submit a “comprehensive plan”
describing how anti-gang efforts will encourage coordination
between law enforcement, community-based groups, and elected
officials. To promote information sharing among communities, the
program would also encourage grant recipients to report “best
practices” implemented as a result of the program.
“This anti-gang initiative addresses both elements of the gang
violence equation,” said Joe Curtatone, Mayor of Somerville and
co-chair of the Metro Mayors’ Community Safety Initiative. “It
gives prosecutors the tools to put violent criminals behind bars
and gives cities the resources they need to keep kids out of
trouble and to help them lead safe, productive lives.”
The bill was developed after over two years of meetings between
the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland
Security – chaired in the Senate by Barrios – and Lieutenant
Governor Kerry Healey, District Attorney Dan Conley, New Bedford
Mayor Frederick Kalisz, law enforcement agencies, the Metro
Mayors Coalition, and community-based organizations. After
today’s unanimous vote in the Senate, the anti-gang bill now
heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“This bill is the result of a collaborative, statewide effort to
combat the serious issue of gang violence,” stated
Representative Canessa. “I am pleased that the Senate has shown
overwhelming support for this initiative and I look forward to
working with my colleagues in the House of Representatives on
passing this very important bill.”
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last updated
25-Jul-2006 04:13 PM
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