Raleigh, N.C. — A Washington think tank says misconceptions about gangs have led to poor legislation and have cost taxpayers millions in failed strategies. The group says the answer isn't as much about police as it is about prevention.
The war on gangs takes many different shapes in the Triangle. Finding the right mix of intervention and enforcement is a constant battle for authorities, but one that the nationwide report suggests they are losing.
The Justice Policy Institute says misconceptions about gangs in big cities lead to failed policies, and other areas risk following the cities' lead.
Gangs are responsible for relatively few crimes, whites make up the largest group of adolescent gang members and more police, prisons and tougher sentences only increase gang cohesion, the institute's report said.
“Prisons don’t work for the majority, because prison is designed to send them back out there like animals,” said Otis Lyons, a former gang member.
Lyons said he has been shot twice, stabbed and hit over the head with an ax. He said it was prison that turned him around – but he concedes that he might be the exception.
“There’s not programs in there that is really going to rehabilitate a convict,” Lyons said. “I wanted to change myself.”
He is now trying to change the minds of other gang members through his group, “Campaign for Change,” and his work with the Triangle Lost Generation Task Force.
“People suggest that prison is gang university, and so we’re giving kids free room and board for graduate degrees in gang activity,” said Landon Adams, with the Lost Generation Task Force.
The task force's mission is to steer young people away from crime and to keep them out of prison by offering alternatives – a strategy shared by a Wake County task force on gang violence.
“I think there’s a role for law enforcement, especially when it comes to community safety,” said Kristen Rosselli, with Wake Gang Prevention. “But, ultimately, I know that the partnership believes we’re putting our effort into prevention and intervention. And that’s really where we’re going to make the difference.”
Gang Study Finds Prevention Is Key
- Reporter: Gerald Owens
- Photographer: Rick Armstrong
- Web Editor: Kelly Hinchcliffe
93 Comments
-
- Hagan, Burr express concern over health care funding
Updated at 8:33 a.m. |
- Raleigh among most dangerous cities for pedestrians
Updated at 12:10 p.m. - Wake County distributing large H1N1 vaccine shipment
Updated 31 minutes ago |
- Charlotte urban loop to be built with help of private funds
Updated 13 minutes ago |
- Cooking oil gets kicked to curb in Raleigh
Updated at 7:39 a.m. |
- Hagan, Burr express concern over health care funding
- Most Viewed Slideshows
- Families honor veterans 2009
Updated at 9:52 a.m. - Hurricane Ida
Updated at 9:02 a.m. - Photos: Cheerleading Championship
Nov. 7, 2009
- Families honor veterans 2009
(8 votes) cyclist dies following weekend collision
(7 votes) germany celebrates fall of berlin wall
-
Photo: Fall of the Berlin WallThe 28-year-old Cold War symbol along East Germany's fortified border crumbled on the evening of Nov. 9, 1989, a pivotal moment in the collapse of…
-
Fort Bragg homecomingThe 82nd Airborne's 3rd Brigade Combat Team, or Panther Brigade, is coming home after a year-long deployment to Iraq. Families greeted 200…
-
N.C. honors veterans with paradesNorth Carolina honored veterans Saturday with annual parades in Raleigh and Fayetteville and a ceremony at the State Capitol building.
-
Photos of the weekThe snow-covered Wilder Kaiser, part of the Alps, is reflected in Lake Schwarzsee in Austria. It's among the best photos taken by Associated Press…
-
The week in entertainmentA look at the top entertainment headlines this week through the lenses of Associated Press photographers.





STORIES
VIDEOS
SLIDESHOWS


Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.
You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.