2 Lawmakers Push Law to Crack Down on Gangs
Two lawmakers entered gang turf in Artesia Friday to promote legislation that would make gang members subject to more prosecution under federal law.
Legislation introduced Thursday by Rep. Esteban E. Torres (D-La Puente) would allow more juvenile gang members to be tried as adults in federal courts for crimes such as assaults, shootings and car thefts.
The proposed law would also mean that a youth could be tried in federal court for belonging to a gang whose members have committed crimes.
At the same podium, state Sen. Cecil N. Green (D-Norwalk) plugged his proposed bill to increase penalties for possession of methamphetamines and PCP. The lawmakers said the news conference symbolized the importance of a team approach to the gang problem.
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