Much has been made recently in the news regarding Arizona’s new state immigration laws.  Unfortunately, not as much attention has been given to Dashon Harvey, Iofemi Hightower and Terrance Aeriel.  Each was a college student murdered execution style in a New Jersey schoolyard by an MS 13 gang member who slipped through the cracks of our failed immigration system.  This week, that gang member, Rodolfo Godinez, was found guilty on all counts. 

Gang activity has been directly linked to the narcotics trade, human trafficking, identification document falsification, violent maiming and assault, and the use of firearms to commit deadly shootings.  The Department of Justice estimates that there are over 25,000 gangs operating in the U.S. today.  In total, those gangs are made up of 850,000 gang members, which would comprise the sixth largest military in the world in terms of size.  According to the FBI, one-third of all gang-related homicides are committed by individuals under the age of 18. 

Tragedies like the one above are why I have introduced the Gang Deterrence and Community Protection Act of 2009 (H.R. 2857), which is a comprehensive approach to increase gang prosecutions and prevent gang-related crimes. 

The bill provides increased federal funding to support federal, state and local law enforcement efforts against violent gangs. It also does the following: 

-          Enhances existing gang and violent crime penalties to deter and punish illegal street gangs.
-          Proposes violent crime reforms needed to prosecute effectively gang members.
-          Proposes to reform the federal juvenile justice system to authorize prosecution of 16 and 17 year old gang members who commit violent crimes. 

Share your thoughts in the comments section below on illegal alien gang members and what other actions we should be taking to prevent future tragedies like the one in New Jersey. 

Nine days after she graduated high school, 18-year-old Kelsey Smith was abducted from a department store close to her home in Kansas in broad daylight. Realizing that Kelsey may still have had her cell phone, police detectives sought to use ping information to search for her. However, it took four days for authorities to cut through red tape to get the wireless provider to release her cell phone location information. Kelsey’s body was found four days later. 

In abduction situations, every second counts. Having access to cell phone information in the moment can provide valuable information to police. In fact, after Kelsey’s body was found, authorities were eventually able to use the ping information to track where Kelsey’s cell phone had been during her abduction.

I have cosponsored a bill, The Kelsey Smith Act (HR 3717), which would require wireless communication companies to swiftly provide call location information in emergency situations that involve the risk of death or serious physical harm. No parent should go through the agony of wading through red tape and paperwork when their child’s life is at stake. This bill gives investigators another tool to track missing persons and help save lives.

You can read more about my work on combating crime here.

Especially in today’s economy, the last thing anyone wants to do is worry about someone taking the money that they have worked hard to earn. Unfortunately, in a weak economy there is an increase in financial fraud from thieves who prey on vulnerable individuals. Some of the individuals who are most vulnerable to financial fraud and identity theft are our nation's senior citizens.

At the end of this month, I am hosting free Seniors Protection Workshops across the Fourth Congressional District. The workshops will include information for seniors on taking steps to prevent identity theft, maintaining proper documentation, and recognizing scams targeting seniors.

The event will feature Ben Garrett, Outreach and Education Coordinator at the Virginia Department on the Aging, and Jennifer Aulgur, Director of Triad and Citizen Outreach at the Virginia Attorney General's office.

You can register to attend on my Upcoming Events page.

Click here to download a flyer on this event to share with friends and family members who may be interested in attending.

Also, read a list of ten ways you can protect yourself from financial scams.