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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'S ANTI-GANG MEASURE PASSES HOUSE
The Minnesota House today passed tough 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. Representative John Lesch (DFL-St. Paul) called the bill an innovative solution to a serious problem.
"Gang violence is a serious problem that merits a serious solution," said Lesch. "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 House by a vote of 120 to 11, the bill had previously passed the Senate without opposition. Governor Pawlenty is expected to sign the bill within the next few days. Similar laws have been implemented in Texas and California and have withstood court challenges.
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News Items
- Rep. Lesch, Senator John Marty and Revenue Commissioner Frans to talk tax reform with area residents at St. Paul town hall meeting - (Posted: 2012-12-12 00:00:00)
- 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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