Most disturbing but not unexpected is the lead story in Sunday's Courier about the "gangs" in New Jersey
At least Plainfield is not the worst. Three New Jersey towns;Trenton, Patterson, and Newark estimate to have more gang members than Plainfield. Camden and Jersey City did not submit a report so in all likelihood Plainfield is #6. But Plainfield estimates to have over 1000 gang members and is one of the leading cities with about 26 separate gangs.
Most disturbing is the number of different gangs and members in the High School. There has been an increase of over 300% in the membership in certain groups. The nation has underestimated or tried to ignore the problem.
It is past time that we start focusing on real solutions instead of beating our gums. The answer of course lies in money which we ain't got but must find. It lies in active programs for youth with a cooperative effort from the school district , recreational facilities, religious organizations which is this crisis must be nonsectarian in their input, and the people themselves.
The answer of course also involves the young adults by finding for them work opportunities. That would need new resources to settle in the area, assured of safety.
Nothing can be done immediately but will take time for results. However, if there is no initiative and a start without delay nothing will ever improve the situation.
Monday, January 31, 2011
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There is also a gang problem within the US Military . . . scary isn't it?
ReplyDeleteGangs is what we get when parents don't parent, schools fall short, and communities don't give young people the activities they need. Children need structure and when they don't get it from adults or feel unsafe, then they turn to gangs and make the gang their family. Sorry isn't it.
ReplyDeleteGangs is what we get when people won't "snitch". Hard as it is to do, people in the areas most affected need to find a way to be more cooperative with the police, and never, never, never, never give up.
ReplyDeleteIf you continue doing the same things, you get the same results.
A - Shooting, no one knows anything, more shooting.
B - Shooting, people start identifying the deviants, deviants don't hang around. Takes time, but if you do B, nothing changes.