Gang Problem in Washington?

Guy Nelson
02/13/2008 at 12:00 p.m.

Two weeks ago there was a possible gang related shooting at 23rd and Union in the Central District of Seattle. On Monday, residents of that neighborhood gathered to discuss their fears with police and city council members. The FBI currently has several agents "shadowing" the Seattle Police Department's Gang Unit officers as part of a 90–day pilot program to figure out an "appropriate federal response" to gang violence in Seattle. Last year, a statewide task force met several times to come up with a working definition of what is meant by the term "gang." Their recommendation is part of a bill currently in the legislature which would create a statewide gang information database that would allow law enforcement agencies statewide to track and identify known gang members. It also would increase sentences for adults who recruit juveniles. Does the state have a gang problem? How bad is it? How can we define gang? Why do kids join gangs? What can be done to get them out?

Guests:
Lt. Ron Wilson is head of the Seattle Police Department's gang unit. He was also part of the Statewide taskforce that came up with a definition for gangs last year.
Larry Bennett works with youth to prevent gang violence in Pierce County and King County. He is a former gang member.
Andre Franklin coordinates teen and late-night programs for Seattle Parks and Recreation. He is 26 years old and grew up in Seattle.
Victor M. Rios is an Assistant Professor in Sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Rios is a former gang member who earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from University of California, Berkeley.
Rebecca Jeschke is the Media Coordinator for the Electronic Frontier Foundation. They are suing AT&T for their involvement in the Federal Wiretap program.