Senate Bill Targets Gang Activity

Authorities say whether we like to admit it or not, gang violence is on the rise all across Mississippi and it’s time we do something to combat the growing problem.
A bill in the Mississippi Senate supported by Governor Bryant will better define what a gang is, create a separate crime for gang activity, and enhance the penalties for those convicted of gang related crimes.
Jackson County District Attorney Tony Lawrence tells News 25 gangs are particularly a problem here on the gulf coast and this bill will help prosecutors keep gang members behind bars.”Unfortunately we’re seeing more and more violent crimes committed by gangs. Everything from stolen property to murder is what we have on our dockets now because of gang activity. Gangs are evolving. They understand how the criminal justice system works and we’re trying to learn their tactics and then create laws to prevent them from doing what they’re doing.”
Two other gang related bills in the legislature would help combat a growing issue of witness intimidation and would make killing a state witness capital murder.