Bob Filner: “If I may conclude, Mr. Chairman, according to the past president of the National District Attorneys Association, Mr.…”

“If I may conclude, Mr. Chairman, according to the past president of the National District Attorneys Association, Mr. Robert P. McCullough, he said that ``prosecutors across the country believe that the issue of witness intimidation is the single biggest hurdle facing any successful gang prosecution.'' So I appreciate the chairman's acceptance of this amendment. I look forward to these grants helping our young people avoid gangs or at least avoid intimidation. I believe when you talk about witness assistance programs for children, which this bill does, you have to talk about gangs because as many know youth witness intimidation generally comes at the hand of criminal gangs. My amendment adds language to the witness protection grants provided in this bill to allow their use by youths who are trying to leave a criminal gang or to prevent initial gang recruitment. Unfortunately, my district like many others across the country has a problem with gangs, which is why I introduced this amendment. In San Diego, police department records count no fewer than 3,750 gang members on the street. Most are young--pre-teens to mid-20s. During the first six months of this year, gang violence resulted in eight homicides in San Diego, nearly a third of the total of 23. However, don't let these statistics mislead you, gang violence is not limited to California and or big urban areas--that might have been true a while ago but it is no longer the case today.…”