"THIS IS NOT A CITY PROBLEM, GANG VIOLENCE REACHES INTO SMALL TOWNS AND RURAL AREAS"

Washington, May 11, 2005 - "Today, there are more than 25,000 gangs with more than 750,0000 active gang members," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala).  "One hundred percent of America's cities have gangs, but this is not just a city problem, gang activities and gang violence reach into our nations' small towns and rural areas.  A survey of local law enforcement officers throughout the nation found that 42 percent report that the gang problem is getting worse."

The House today approved H.R. 1279, the Gang Deterrence and Community Protection Act. "This legislation is designed to increased gang-related prosecutions, authorizes increases in federal funding to support law enforcement at all levels, and enhances existing gang and violent crime penalties," explained Stearns.

H.R. 1279 applies to gang-related crimes and provides for life in prison or death for any crime resulting in death, and a mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison for kidnapping, aggravated assault, sexual abuse, or maiming.  It also extends the statute of limitation for violent crimes involving gangs from 5 years to 15 years.  In addition, it authorizes the Attorney General to charge as an adult in federal court a juvenile gang member who is 16 years or older and commits a violent crime.  These tougher penalties are backed by $20 million each year from 2005 through 2009 for hiring more state and local prosecutors, and for purchasing technology to identify and prosecute violent offenders.