PAT HARRINGTON, "What's Happening With Gangs in the County" – Pat gave an informative and sobering presentation about gang activity in our local area. The public often has the perception that “we have no gang activity here” or maybe “we have gangs, but it’s someone else’s problem” before coming to the realization that “we do have gang activity here.” Pat gave convincing evidence that we have gangs here involved in all manner of criminal activity. There is a proliferation of guns and heroin use as well as human sex trafficking. In the past 5 weeks there have been 3 shootings related to gang activity. In recent years, Chicago has worked to tear down housing projects that had high crime rates. This has led to gang members leaving that area and, in some cases, coming to ours. The initiative, Project Safe Neighborhoods, which includes the WETIP hotline has been helpful in addressing some of the concerns related to gang activity. More needs to be done. There is a bill in the senate which would set school policies relating to gang activities and encourage school personnel to work more closely together and with law enforcement on this issue. Our main focus as a community should be preventive measures such as youth activities, after-school programs and family support. Pat would like to see a panel of community leaders formed to bring our local resources together to address our growing gang problem.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
LIFE IS A LOT LIKE TENNIS. THE ONE WHO CAN SERVE THE BEST, SELDOM LOSES. SUGGESTED BY JACK KELLEY.