Anti-Gang Summit
By:
Updated: April 17, 2007
Virginia Representative Randy Forbes, and local, state and federal law enforcement joined Boozman at Harber High School to talk about how gang problems have evolved.
There are close to 800,000 gang members in the U.S., and Boozman says even though gang problems in Northwest Arkansas cities are not as serious as some larger areas, we need to be proactive.
"I think everyone has the agreement that there is potential for a problem in the future and the way to fight that is to start with the schools and make our police very informed about what`s going on."
Arkansas State Police Captain Les Braunns` brother in law was shot and killed. Investigators say they believe the man who pulled the trigger is a gang member.
"As we continue to grow these problems are only going to grow with us. I like what a lot of the panelists have said, it`s not a police problem, it`s a cultural social problem," Braunns said.
Panelists say the best way to curb a gang problem is to bring down the networks they operate in and keep police communication lines open.
"This has kind of been an education listening to the other law enforcement managers here that are talking about the problem and it`s something that we need to take note of," Braunns said.
