* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Mitchell
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
In Support of State Legislation - Senate Bill 632 - Maryland Gang Prosecution Act of 2007
FOR the purpose of supporting this legislation that would prohibit a person from participating in a specified criminal gang knowing that the members of the gang engage in or have engaged in a specified pattern of criminal gang activity; prohibiting a person from willfully promoting, furthering, or assisting in a criminal offense committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal gang; urging the Honorable Chair and Members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, and the Honorable Chair and Members of the Baltimore City Delegations to the Maryland General Assembly to support passage of the legislation and petitioning the Governor to sign the measure into law.
Body
Recitals
This legislation prohibits a person from participating in gang activities, knowing that the members of the gang engage or have engaged in criminal gang activity. Recently in Baltimore City, gang related crimes have been on the rise. By passing this Act, and stiffening the penalties relating to gang activity, we can hopefully save our youth from joining gangs and allow current gang members an opportunity to see the light and cease their criminal activities.
This legislation gives the Attorney General all the powers and duties of a State's Attorney, including the use of the Grand Jury in the county in order to better prosecute violations of the law. This provides local jurisdictions the ability to prosecute violators with a much higher level of authority than is currently provided in the law and creates a situation where gang members will be more easily prosecuted for crimes that are committed locally.
Now more than ever, it is important that we stiffen the penalties related to gang activity. The sooner gang members cease their criminal activities, the sooner we can clean up the streets and once again make them safe for our youth. With tougher penalties and prosecution, we can help take the streets back and provide for the safety and security of all the citizens of Baltimore City and the State of Maryland.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body supports this legislation that would prohibit a person from participating in a specified criminal gang knowing that the members of the gang engage in or have engaged in a specified pattern of criminal gang activity, prohibit a person from willfully promoting, furthering, or assisting in a criminal offense committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal gang; urges the Honorable Chair and Members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and the Honorable Chair and Members of the Baltimore City Delegations to the Maryland General Assembly to support passage of the legislation and petition the Governor to sign the measure into law.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Honorable Chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee is respectfully requested to include this Resolution as part of the Committee record for support for the Maryland Gang Prosecution Act of 2007.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Governor, the Mayor, the Honorable Chair and Members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, the Honorable Chair and Members of the Baltimore City Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly, the Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of State Relations and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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