Lawsuits Against Gangs

[legion]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/gang_lawsuits

Fed up with deadly drive-by shootings, incessant drug dealing and graffiti, cities nationwide are trying a different tactic to combat gangs: They're suing them.
...
The injunctions are aimed at disrupting gang activity before it can escalate. They also give police legal reasons to stop and question gang members, who often are found with drugs or weapons, authorities said. In some cases, they don't allow gang members to even talk to people passing in cars or to carry spray paint.

Seems like a total and complete waist of legal resources to me. Gang members already don't follow gun and drug laws, among others. An injunction isn't going to mean much more.

And worse, it may be an excuse for lazy--or unconstitutional--policing. I'd hate to be walking down the sidewalk in front of some congregating gang members the very moment the police decide to enforce an injunction against loitering or association.

[RoninLB]

"Cop Killers In High Places"

read about the majestic liberal progressive NY Times.


http://www.city-journal.org/html/eon2007-07-19hm.html

[RallyJon]

Maybe they should pursue sales tax on drug sales?

[legion]

Originally Posted by RallyJon

Maybe they should pursue sales tax on drug sales?

That coupled with legalization would kill gangs quicker than anything else.

Co-opt their revenue stream, and they will cease to exist.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Never happen 'cause in the minds of some bureaucrats it'd be "admitting defeat" in the "War on Drugs" just like an exit strategy somehow means admitting defeat in the "War on Terror".

Nothing like mindless and hell-bent passionate defense of empty platitudes. In both examples.

[Moneyguy1]

The answer to every social ill:

Declare War on it.

Has this approach ever actually worked?

[legion]

No, but it gets votes.

And treatment is more profitable than a cure.

[Moneyguy1]

legion:

I wholeheartedly agree. Ever notice that most medical approaches treat the symptoms rather than providing te cure? It would appear that constant medication is far more profitable than a one time procedure that would eliminate the problem.

[Rick Lee]

This makes about as much sense as city councils voting to impeach Bush. They clearly have too much time on their hands.

[Moneyguy1]

But ya gotta say these Cities are doing the same as all the other political bodies should be doing...at least reflecting the desires of their constituents and perhaps garnering votes!!

[MRM]

Lots of gangs have been put out of business by using RICO suits. The KKK in some state, I can't remember which one, got bankrupted in the 80s following a lynching that got tracked back to them. Same theory has been applied to Bloods and Crips type gangs and has broken them up by taking their property and getting injunctions against them. It's not as stupid as it seems. Even a gang can't operate without some money and property.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Moneyguy1

legion:

I wholeheartedly agree. Ever notice that most medical approaches treat the symptoms rather than providing te cure? It would appear that constant medication is far more profitable than a one time procedure that would eliminate the problem.

That is never my approach. Look to the cause, always. Surgery is rarely a first choice. In my experience, choice of patient has quite a bit to do with level of success and effectiveness of treatment.(Compliant patients do better)

[RoninLB]

Some towns are controlled by gangs. The cops are afraid, the judges are afraid, and for sure political leaders are scared s..tless.

They never get arrested and everyone in town knows who did the kill.