LEAGUE   OF   MUNICIPALITIES
GANG AND PREVENTION AND YOUTH VIOLENCE TASK FORCE

Gangs and youth violence are a growing concern across all areas of New Jersey. Media reports tell sad but real stories of gang murders, robberies, intimidations and other forms of domestic terrorism that seem to be spreading and taxing to all systems of government.

In view of this continuing problem, the Executive Board of the NJ League of Municipalities declared that each of us has a responsibility and moral obligation to do all that we can to rid our society of the scourge of gangs and the attendant violence they wreak on communities around the State. Thus, in September 2005, the League of Municipalities hosted its first annual Mayors' Summit on Gang Prevention at the National Guard Armory in Lawrenceville, with the expressed purpose of discussing a comprehensive agenda to address the continuing and pervasive problem of gangs and violence. Attendance numbered in the hundreds as mayors, educators, federal, state and local law enforcement, legislators and members from various communities spoke of the problem and the need for a collaborative and cooperative approach. The Summit was a huge success and resulted in an enlightened, highly interactive session.

The League's Executive Board also established a Gang Prevention and Youth Violence Task Force which is comprised of several mayors and local officials from different areas of the State. The Task Force is chaired by League 3rd Vice-President and Mayor of East Orange, Robert "Bob" Bowser. The Task Force is charged to (1) share relevant information on strategies and programs adopted in their respective municipalities; (2) review and formulate the League's position on all gang related legislative proposals; (3) present the League's position in public testimony before the Legislature and (4) serve as a resource, through Mayor Bowser, to the State created Advisory Committee to the Gang Land Security Task Force.

The focus of the League's Task Force is prevention through community and law enforcement involvement with emphasis on the social component. These partnerships, coupled with pro-active intervention, can be an effective deterrence to gang recruitment. Community involvement would engage Schools, PTA/PTO, Family, Faith-Based Institutions and other community organizations in a collaborative and cooperative effort. Law Enforcement involvement would entail collaboration and cooperation with local law enforcement and State law enforcement through the Office of the Attorney General.