Senator Boxer Introduces Legislation to Combat Gangs   

Friday, April 20, 2007  

I regularly talk with law enforcement officials across California.  When we discuss gang violence, they express concern that federal resources are narrow in focus or encourage short-term planning.  When I was asked to introduce legislation to combat gang violence, I took these concerns into account when I wrote Mynisha’s Law, S.144.

Mynisha’s Law is named for a young girl who was killed in the city of San Bernardino by senseless gang violence.  When I met with local officials shortly after her death, I agreed to help fight the problems created by gang violence.

Mynisha’s Law would allow a city, county or group of counties to apply to the U.S. Attorney General for designation as a high-intensity gang area.  If designated, an interagency task force comprised of the Departments of Justice, Labor, Education, Health & Human Services, and Housing & Urban Development would coordinate a comprehensive set of federal resources -- from law enforcement to education to social services -- to help the local jurisdiction implement its plan.  The interagency task force would also provide information to Congress to analyze and address future resource needs.

I believe that communities suffering from gang violence will benefit from Mynisha’s Law because communities will be encouraged to develop and implement comprehensive plans that yield long-term results.  Also, by coordinating diverse and comprehensive resources through one interagency task force, Mynisha’s Law provides more effective collaboration among federal, state and local communities.

I believe that Mynisha’s Law has the potential not only to honor a young girl who died too soon from senseless gang violence, but also to give local law enforcement much more powerful tools to fight gangs within our communities.  You can count on me to work for its passage.

Sincerely,