House Bill 1015 will give prosecutors additional tools in their continuing fight against the spread of criminal street gangs in Georgia.
Golick said the legislation, which is now in the Senate, having already been approved by the House, is a significant legislative priority of the Georgia District Attorneys Association.
Specifically, it will expand prosecutors' opportunities to prosecute criminal street gang members and their associates who engage in gang recruitment activities and gang initiation related crimes. It also expands opportunities to prosecute those who retaliate against people who testify against gang members and who assist law enforcement, among other provisions.
A prosecution under Georgia's anti-gang statute is an additional prosecution on top of whatever underlying criminal act or acts are perpetrated by the gang members, Golick said.
Criminal street gangs are at the center of the illegal drug trade, he said.
"It is undisputed that these gangs sustain their ongoing criminal enterprises through dealing drugs, and their connection to the Mexican drug cartels are a matter of established fact. Gangs are not limited to urban areas: Gangs are a growing problem statewide, from Dalton to St. Mary's and everywhere in between, including Smyrna and Marietta," Golick said. "...Make no mistake, criminal street gangs are attempting to recruit new members every day in our schools, and not just high schools. They're infiltrating middle schools and even elementary schools. We need to give law enforcement every tool and advantage possible to stay one step ahead of this ever increasing threat to our schools and to our community in general."
Former Cobb Chairman Sam Olens, who is running for Georgia attorney general, hailed the bill as an excellent idea.
"The (district attorneys) need more tools at their disposal. State-wide grand juries are needed too," Olens said.
The bill is cosponsored by state Rep. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth). It is being carried in the Senate by state Sen. John Wiles (R-Kennesaw).
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The businesses employing illegals are committing a felony,... but they continue to get a wink & a nod. Landscape companies & brick masons are 95% illegal labor! But you don't dare speak about THAT if you're a politician! It might offend someone!
The schools in the Smyrna area are failed American public schools ( that recieve funding for FAILURE), because they are teaching Mexico's children instead of American children.
A report came out last week that the drug gangs that now live in El Paso, Tx., have threatned the police dept. w/ a bloodbath if they don't quit locking up their gang members.
Anyone that can't speak the words 'illegal immigration', has no right being in office, having sworn to protect this country & our constitution.
This war WILL become bloodier & we will hear politicians exclaim "WE DIDN'T SEE IT COMIN'!"