National Association of Police Organizations
Endorses Feinstein/Hatch Gang Bill

August 7, 2001

Washington, DC - The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) has endorsed legislation, sponsored by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT), to give law enforcement additional tools to combat gang violence.

In a letter to Senator Feinstein, Robert T. Scully, NAPO Executive Director, wrote: "I would like to advise you of our wholehearted support for Senate Resolution, 1236, 'The Criminal Gang Abatement Act of 2001.' While crime in the United States has been successfully reduced over the last decade, the prevalence of gangs, gang members and criminal gang activity has increased. This legislation will effectively combat the growth of gangs in the United States and give law enforcement the needed tools to fight the spread of youth gang violence."

Introduced on July 25, 2001, the Criminal Gang Abatement Act gives law enforcement additional tools to prosecute crimes committed by gang members, including measures that:

•Make it a crime to recruit persons into a criminal gang or to use minors to commit violent crimes;

•Update federal criminal statutes to ensure that they cover typical gang crimes;

•Increase the penalties for gang crimes under these statutes; and

•Make it easier for prosecutors to convict gang members of violent and other serious crimes.

"I want to thank the National Association of Police Organizations for their support of this legislation," Senator Feinstein said. "Their endorsement indicates that there remains a need for federal legislation to combat gang violence, and that this package provides a number of common-sense measures that will help law enforcement better tackle the problem."

The National Association of Police Organizations is a coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States that serves to advance the interests of America's law enforcement through legislative and legal advocacy, political action, and education.

Founded in 1978, NAPO now represents more than 4,000 police unions and associations, 220,000 sworn law enforcement officers, 11,000 retired officers and more than 100,000 citizens who share a common dedication to fair and effective crime control and law enforcement.

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