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State Representative John Lesch
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4224
For more information contact: Zachary Stephenson 651-268-1644
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REP. JOHN LESCH PROPOSES TOUGH ANTI-GANG MEASURE
At a meeting of the Public Safety and Civil Justice Committee, Representative John Lesch (DFL-Saint Paul) today proposed legislation designed to help the fight against gangs. The bill, which has the strong support of law enforcement and local prosecutors, would enable cities or neighborhoods to obtain court orders of protection forbidding known gang members from engaging in certain activities or even entering areas of the city where they have caused past problems.
"Gang violence is a serious problem that merits a serious solution," Lesch said. "People have a right to live without fear of gang violence. This bill is a common sense measure that will prevent gang members from terrorizing our community."
By stopping gang members from entering the parts of the city where they usually operate, police can prevent gangs from gaining influence. Lesch, a prosecutor for the city of Saint Paul, said that this tactic is key to wiping out gangs.
"Putting individual gang members in jail just isn't good enough," he said. "We need to put the whole organization out of business. For a gang member, their turf is their business. Take away their turf, and you take away their business."
Lesch's bill was approved by the Public Safety Committee and was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus crime bill. Similar laws have been implemented in Texas and California and have withstood court challenges. Senator Mee Moua (DFL –St. Paul) is sponsoring the bill in the Senate.
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News Items
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- Rep. Lesch Named Chair of the House Civil Law Committee - (Posted: 2012-11-16 00:00:00)
- EARTH DAY A CHANCE FOR REFLECTION, ACTION - (Posted: 2012-04-17 00:00:00)
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