Most members of the Maras gang cover themselves in tattoosPosted on 02/08/2007 8:07:51 AM PST by Gritty
The mayor of the US city of Los Angeles has called for international efforts to deal with gang crime, saying his city was "ground zero" for Latino gangs.
Most members of the Maras gang cover themselves in tattoos
Antonio Villaraigosa told the BBC that many gangs across North and Central America were started from his city.
Regional police chiefs are in LA to discuss fighting the gangs, blamed for a spree of murder, rape and robbery.
The three-day meeting will focus on improving co-operation and intelligence sharing to stop the gangs.
Rising gang crime
Mr Villaraigosa said there was a connection between poverty, low education levels, lack of job opportunities and gang membership.
These root issues needed to be addressed as part of a solution to gang violence in the United States and elsewhere, he said.
"Gang violence is a problem of international scope, and we must face it on a international scale," he said, quoted by AFP news agency.
"We must coordinate with our international counterparts in a smart and effective way."
In an interview for the BBC World Service Newshour programme, Mr Villaraigosa said that gang crime had risen in Los Angeles despite a drop in overall crime rates.
"This is a city that has a real problem," he said.
"And yet, this is the second-safest big city in America - violent crime is down five years running".
On Tuesday, the US Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales, announced the state department would fund a new transnational anti-gang unit for Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Belize.
Until now, the gangs have mostly been tackled on a country-by-country basis.
The heads of the national police forces of several countries where gangs are prevalent, including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico are meeting officials from US drug enforcement agencies and the FBI.
Some Central American officials have expressed concern about US methods of deporting gang members to countries where local authorities are unable to arrest them because they have committed no crime in their country of origin.
Of the 120 people arrested in a recent anti-gang raid in El Salvador, 40 had been deported from the US at least once, the country's police chief Rodrigo Avila-Aviles said.
"I cannot blame the United States for deporting them," he added. "However... we need to look out for new mechanisms so we have more control over these guys."
Mayor Villaraigosa said increased funds and greater political will were needed to ensure gangs were tackled in the region in the long term.
That's why gangs ran amok in the US during the 1930's. Right?
< /sarcasm>
Run for President, I'll vote for you!!!!!
They are not just gangs they are the nucleus for ethnic militias.
Almost a sub-human culture that these south and central American gang members have become...
I have zero pity for them...
They certainly do not value anything but their own criminal intent and activity...And will not hesitate to kill you if you get in their way, whether it was your intent or not...
Similar article here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1780726/posts
I'm not the duplicate post police, just trying to round out the discussion.
:^)
Inner city problems are caused by DEMOCRATIC RULE.
Well, I don't know what's to be expected in a city/state that values self-expression above academic achievement and work ethic. After all, these kids are just "keeping it real."
Amazing that people in general still don't associate behavior with economic status. These kids are running around shooting each other and still, it's "the Man's" fault; it's being done TO them.
If you want to be prosperous, you have to engage in prosperous behavior. Africa is probably richer in natural resources than America, yet they would rather kill each other than cultivate any kind of stable industry.
Walter E. Williams once wrote a great article: How not to be Poor. It's quite simple: graduate from high school, get a job, don't drink to excess or do drugs, and don't have children out of wedlock. While you might not be rich, you certainly won't earn minimum wage.
Why should we feel the need to help these kids until they act like the investment will pay off? If they choose to behave in this manner, they have to realize the consequences. Society doesn't reward you for ill behavior... unless your last name is Clinton.
In other words, gangs are the direct result of tax cuts for the wealthy.
Ping!!!!!!!!!!
Whoa! At first glance, I thought the picture of the tattooed ganster was an orc from the Lord of the Ring movies. :-Þ
"This town needs an enema!"
Prohibition inspired more than a few people to take up a life of crime.
I am sure a guy having that many tats could easily get a job at any corporate level place?
Couldn't happen to a nicer or more deserving city.
"Mayor Villaraigosa said increased funds and greater political will were needed to ensure gangs were tackled in the region in the long term."
This is the same twit who came out screaming for open borders/immigration.
You reap what you sow.
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