“Today, the New York State Senate passed a three-pronged measure (S.2410) to strike back against gang violence and recruitment in our communities. In addition to increasing penalties for gang-related crimes and preventing the ability of gangs to grow and recruit members, this legislation will fight gang recruitment efforts by increasing educational and intervention programming.

“This legislation has now passed the Senate five times, but has yet to be passed by the Assembly. I support this bill in the Assembly (A.5477) and I am calling on both my majority and minority conference colleagues to do the same. Gang activity is traditionally associated with large metropolitan areas like New York City, but our small upstate communities are also at risk. Gangs grow and spread like a virus and they know no bounds. If we allow them to continue growing, they will claim territory in the most remote regions of our state and threaten peace, law and order. We must put differences aside for the sake of our children who face this very real threat.”