Seems like years since I first reported on this case (actually, it has been), but here’s some big news:
Musician Convicted in Nuestra Familia Case
Nuestra Familia Case: Monterey County’s Connection
I was as shocked as anyone to learn that Alex Sanchez, former-gangster-turned-outreach-worker and head of Homies Unidos, was indicted this summer in a federal RICO case for allegedly still calling shots with MS-13 gang members.
I was even more shocked to read Tom Hayden’s unbridled defense of Sanchez in several articles for The Nation, and his [...]
Got to hang out at the Ninth Circuit Judiciary Conference this week and caught Janet Napolitano’s opening talk:
Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano says U.S. faces an eventful fall
Kind of unfortunate headline, though. I don’t think she was actually predicting the total collapse of the United States. Yet.
If so, well, you read it here first, folks.
And, [...]
And here is the just-out brochure describing the National Network for Safe Communities, the (very) innovative gang and drug crime initiative unveiled Monday at the US mayors’ conference in Providence. Looks like 30 cities (and counting) are on board so far, including Stockton and Sacramento from my fair state. And Salinas? Not yet, anyway. Hmmm…
Just [...]
According to The New Yorker’s News Desk, the Obama administration is paying attention to the “Boston Miracle” approach of David Kennedy, who is set to unveil bold plans later today for fighting gang and drug crime in US cities.
Check back for more on today’s meeting of US mayors, to be attended by Joe Biden and [...]
Here’s a new documentary about the other red vs. blue rivalry that is ripping communities and families apart. I haven’t seen it yet, but it looks good:
Crips and Bloods: Made in America
Senators seek overhaul of US prison system
WASHINGTON (AFP) — Calling the US criminal justice system “a national disgrace,” US Senators urged for a top-to-bottom review with an eye on reforms aimed at reducing America’s massive prison population.
Democratic Senator Jim Webb, backed by Republican Senator Arlen Specter, introduced legislation to create a blue-ribbon panel that would [...]
The name keeps changing… from the Youth Promise Act of 2007 to the PRECAUTION Act of 2009 (Prevention Resources for Eliminating Criminal Activity Using Tailored Interventions in Our Neighborhoods Act of 2009)
Phew, what a mouthful!
Anyway, for those who care to follow this legislation, it was recently re-introduced as H.R. 1064. The Senate version is S. [...]