The media has focused on a few, isolated cases of gang violence. In particular, the activities of the gang “Mara Salvatrucha,” or MS-13, have made the front page of many local newspapers. Some of the crimes committed by this and other gangs are despicable and reprehensible, and must be punished to the fullest extent of the law. However, the most recent crime survey from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime reporting program showed that in 2003 the number of people under 18 arrested declined by 30%. Moreover, between 1993 and 2003, youth homicide arrests declined by 75%. Gang crime is serious, but the response needs to be proportionate to the problem. Thus, punitive measures designed only to punish and not to reform youth violent behavior exacerbate the problem.

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) believes that any efforts to address, control, and prevent gang crime and violence must include a comprehensive strategy that has the input of the communities most directly affected by these acts. Gang crime can be reasonably addressed utilizing culturally- and linguistically-competent community-based programs for prevention, treatment, and alternatives to incarceration. All of the components combined create a sensible and effective approach to a complex problem with solutions that have longer lasting benefits to the youth and community than incarceration alone.