Mayors and police lobby lawmakers to fight gangs

RALEIGH — Dozens of mayors and police officers are visiting Raleigh to push state lawmakers to approve anti-gang legislation they say is urgently needed.

Salisbury Mayor Susan Kluttz is among those lobbying Wednesday at the Legislative Building. She said gangs have operated in her city of 30,000 people for three years. She said law enforcement
officers need more power to crack down on gangs, but that programs to dissuade children from joining are also needed.

The Senate is expected to move forward Wednesday on two gang-related measures. One would toughen penalties for people who commit crimes as part of their affiliation with a gang. The other bill would mandate local juvenile crime prevention councils be more involved in finding ways to prevent gang activity.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)