Dear Mayor:

Yesterday, Acting Governor Codey made appointments to the Gang Land Security Task Force, created through legislation adopted as Chapter 107, P.L. 2005. The Task Force is charged to gather intelligence on gang activities in New Jersey and the effect on communities in which they operate. The Task Force will issue a report to the Governor and Legislature outlining a course of action to eliminate gangs and the attendant violence they bring to our communities.

League Executive Board Member and Mayor of East Orange, Robert Bowser was appointed to the Governor's five member advisory committee created by Executive Order to work with the Gang Land Security Task Force.

Mayor Bowser will serve this advisory committee well as he chairs the League's Gang and Youth Violence Task Force and is already at work reviewing all gang related legislative proposals. Mayor Bowser will share his insights and offer recommendations to the advisory committee to aid in the comprehensive approach to eradicating this troubling aspect of our society. In addition, Mayor Douglas H. Palmer was also appointed to the Advisory Committee as a Mayor of an urban municipality dealing with gang activities.

It is reported there are approximately 700 hundred gangs in New Jersey with nearly 17,000 members. They are well established in our urban centers and are fast becoming a growing presence in our suburban and rural communities. It is high time to address this problem.

Two local police directors with experience and knowledge of gang activities will be included on the Governor's Advisory Committee.

For further information contact Helen Yeldell at (609) 695-3481 ext. 12.

Thank you.