TRENTON – Senator John A. Girgenti said today that comprehensive legislation, based on the recommendations of various experts on gang crime and prevention, is the key to gaining the upper hand on gangs in New Jersey.
The Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee today listened to presentations from representatives of anti-gang organizations and violence prevention groups on how they currently fight against the gangs in their towns.
“We must join in the collaborative efforts of those on the frontlines who are fighting every day for safer streets and schools,” said Senator Girgenti, D-Bergen and Passaic and Chairman of the panel. “We can no longer wait until gang members have already recruited our children to begin to educate the youth in this State about the dangers of gang life.”
Senator Girgenti’s bill, S-1749, which would require boards of education to offer elementary school students instruction in gang violence prevention, was unanimously approved.
The Committee also approved two bills sponsored by Senator Turner. The first bill, S-2009, would increase the penalties for possessing, receiving, and transferring community guns, and the second bill, S-2012, would require the court to inquiry about the source of bail funds.
All three bill now head to the full Senate for consideration.