County Gang Commission says more money needed to combat gangs
YAKIMA, Wash. -- Yakima County's Gang Commission is asking the state for more money to fight gang activity.
The commission met with state officials this afternoon to discuss increasing funding.
Leaders from around Yakima County spoke about the need to keep suppressing gangs.
They think their efforts so far will bring more grants.
"In Seattle, for example, you have gangs but it's a daily annoyance," said Harold Dalia, Yakima County Court Administrator. "Here, its part of our everyday life, so people are looking at us and saying, 'How are you doing?' And were showing them gang court, we're showing them this edition of today and they're saying, 'How can we do that? How can we get involved?"
The commission also split a $120,000 grant between Yakima, Sunnyside and Toppenish.
Toppenish will use it in elementary schools. Yakima and Sunnyside will have yet to decide how to use their share.
The commission met with state officials this afternoon to discuss increasing funding.
Leaders from around Yakima County spoke about the need to keep suppressing gangs.
They think their efforts so far will bring more grants.
"In Seattle, for example, you have gangs but it's a daily annoyance," said Harold Dalia, Yakima County Court Administrator. "Here, its part of our everyday life, so people are looking at us and saying, 'How are you doing?' And were showing them gang court, we're showing them this edition of today and they're saying, 'How can we do that? How can we get involved?"
The commission also split a $120,000 grant between Yakima, Sunnyside and Toppenish.
Toppenish will use it in elementary schools. Yakima and Sunnyside will have yet to decide how to use their share.
I like the deportation option, though it is not a practical option since people born in the US are automatically recognized citizens, which is why the 14th Amendment needs to be refined... Besides most non citizens that are deported return within a few weeks anyway..which is why we need to tighten border security... How about making mom and dad totally financially responsible for juniors "gangbanger" activities...If junior had been given a good home to begin with, alot of this mess with gangs could have been avoided, instead of being paid for with tax payers dollars.
Intervention could work if the parents are involved. But if they are involved in the first place, their kids would not be in gangs. Its a sad state of affairs when kindergartners are not allowed to wear certain colors to school because of gang issues.
@Sal King , unfortunately, the families mom and dad are in the gangs too. If they aren't, well then its some cousin or someone else related in their family that has gang ties. Or its their friend next door, he's mexican too. Don't mean to sound so prejudice, I am married to a mexican! I just see everything for what it is!
You need to spend the money on bullets, and use them.
Really,I am sure the good people of Yakima county would love to start making donations to help get rid of this problem. Problem is are you guy's really making an effort or just throwing your hands up in the air saying "we can not do anything,we have no money" how hard is it to round up gang members and deport them, Oh yea this state has a no deportion law,or if citizens, start using them as an example.Five people shot in one week ? Really? This state has gone to hell in a hand basket..The police sure have nice new chargers,sell a few of those and there's a little bit of the money you need....
 @jennifer stephens Most gangsters are US citizens. Do you propose deporting all non-white people to Mexico? What about white or black gangsters? You, now almost extinct politically, conservatives are beginning to sound like a broken record with your so called deport anyone you don't like?
@The Old Christian @jennifer stephens What I am saying is all of "Yakima's" gang problems is mexican, its not black gang bangers in Yakima selling all the drugs their cousins, aunts & uncles are bringing here from Mexico. It's Mexicans, straight up! The story is about Yakima, not the whole nation. But what really needs to be done is to tighten security at the border, quit letting all those illegals across the border in the first place! If we deport them, they shouldn't be able to get back here in 2 or 3 days like they do! That is just plain stupid, but they do!
@jennifer stephens I totally agree with you! Yakima is TOTALLY out of control & if its money they say they need to combat the gangs, then give it to them! Deport every single one they can and lock up the rest if they want to be gang affiliated! Uneducated fools, take that crap back to Mexico where it came from!