House Bill 169 broadens the definition of a gang, makes it illegal to recruit children into a gang and enhances penalties for crimes connected to gang activity.
Updated: 9:37 PM EDT Mar 27, 2018
FRANKFORT, Ky. — An anti-gang violence bill cleared a hurdle on Frankfort Tuesday.
House Bill 169 broadens the definition of a gang, makes it illegal to recruit children into a gang and enhances penalties for crimes connected to gang activity.
Supporters say it will help them put away gang leaders.
“We’ve got to fix root causes, and so if you think you can pass this and that’s the end of it, it’s not going to be, we’re going to create more problems and more people who aren’t going to be able to get engaged,” said Sadiqa Reynolds of the Louisville Urban League.
Critics worry the bill will sweep up the wrong people, and say it doesn’t address the poverty that leads to gang violence.
“They have to be convicted of a crime in court, then they have to go through essentially another process to be determined a gang member in court to get the enhanced penalties,” said Assistant Chief Robert Schroeder with the Louisville Metro Police Department.
The bill requires a vote in the full Senate before final passage.
Source: Anti-gang violence bill clears hurtle in Frankfort on Tuesday
