join a gang

http://www.tulareadvanceregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070714/NEWS01/707140342/1002

pulled this from vientiane times. apparently visalia is still seeing some gang problems. when i was there in 93, the o.t. were pretty active, but i'd assumed they'd cooled down. this article seems to indicate otherwise. (and apparently they've got a few lahu recruits...?) but in response to some criticism (tui) for previous comments i made on my blog regarding the causes of gangs, etc., i am posting the link to this article:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/324206_gangs19.html

my experience mirrors the main points of the report. prison time, law enforcement, etc., have their place, but the gang issue is primarily an economic one. additionally, youth without meaningful connections to their culture or ethnicity appear to look to the gang as a way to do that.

the article states, "research shows that social service programs are far more effective at reducing violence than tough gang enforcement." however, here in seattle, the money is not there. seattle used to have a great summer employment program for youth. but last year i tried to sign up 5 kids and none of them got a position. this year i didn't even try. the article stated that a large chunk of money was set aside for summer programs though - i didn't hear about this. but it does appear that at least 2-3 people are getting shot every week this summer. last night someone was shot outside the cd post office. so it goes.