To help combat what authorities call a growing problem of gang violence, U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein presented $1.5 million in federal funds Wednesday to local jurisdictions across Maryland.
Also announced was a new statewide law enforcement database, known as Gang-Net, which will be implemented next year in Maryland and allow local, state and federal law enforcement officials to share data on gang activities, authorities said.
The database will be run by the Washington-Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
“Every child should be able to go to school … without fear of gangs,” Rosenstein said.
The announcement comes a week after the Baltimore City Criminal Justice Coordinating Council released a report that tracked 2,600 known gang members in Baltimore, including more than 50 gangs with about 500 members in city high schools and an additional 500 gang members in middle and elementary schools.
Gang experts estimate there are 10,000 gang members throughout the state. Thomas Carr, director of the Washington-Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, said gangs are multiplying across the country and in Maryland.
“Gang activity is on the rise,” he said. “They are recruiting children in our schools.”
Rosenstein said tough federal prosecution can help solve the problem, but prevention at the youth level is also needed.
“Long prison terms keep violent gang members off the streets,” he said. “But law enforcement alone cannot prevent gang violence. This gang problem is really a problem we need to deal with among juveniles. We need to reach them in school before they get involved with dangerous gang activity.”
Grants designed to prevent or combat gangs
» The Family League of Baltimore: $191,000
» Carroll County Sheriff?s Office: $135,000
» Cumberland Police Department: $122,000
» Harford County Government: $161,000
» Somerset Court Local Management Board: $32,000
» Washington County Sheriff?s Office and Hagerstown Police: $111,000
» Wicomico Partnership for Families and Children: $191,000
» Washington-Baltimore HIBTA: $85,000
» Anne Arundel County Boys? and Girls? Club: $50,000
» Baltimore Police Department: $100,000
» Baltimore County Police Department: $50,000
» Charles County Sheriff?s Office: $50,000
» Frederick Police Department: $25,000
» Harford County Boys? and Girl?s Club: $99,000
» Howard County Police: $50,000
Source: U.S. Attorney?s Office
