NCJ Number
116546
Date Published
1989
Length
129 pages
Annotation
This final report of the California Council on Criminal Justice State Task Force on Gangs and Drugs analyzes the problems of gangs and drugs in the State and recommends statewide policy and legislative proposals to address this dual threat to the State.
Abstract
The task force held hearings throughout the State to hear testimony from representatives of small and large cities and counties, schools, social services agencies, government, businesses and industries, community organizations, and a broad range of criminal justice agencies. The task force also conducted written surveys of district attorneys, chiefs of police, sheriffs, and probation officers. Extensive written testimony was also received. The task force found that gang drug trafficking is no longer restricted to particular communities but is a statewide problem due to gang mobility and the expanding gang network. Attending the gang-narcotics link is an increase in violence that impacts innocent citizens. The task force concluded that the problem of gangs and drugs is a total community problem and responsibility, rather than solely the responsibility of the criminal justice system. Testimony from various community representatives repeatedly demonstrates the need for interagency cooperation and coordination for the purposes of suppression, intervention, and prevention. Task force recommendations are directed to law enforcement, prosecution, corrections, probation/parole, the judiciary, the executive branch, the legislative branch, Federal agencies, local governments, schools, community-based organizations, business and industry, and the media.