The Youth Prison Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support and Education (“Youth PROMISE”) Act. Introduced by Virginia Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott in the United States Congress on October 16, 2007.
If we are going to be successful in fighting against gangs and gang violence in America, there must be a two pronged attack to address this situation. There is no question that gangs and gang members must understand that they will be held accountable for the gang crimes and gang violence they commit in our communities.
However, simply locking up gang members and throwing away the keys is not the answer to fighting against the problem of gang violence. Nor is the answer to fighting against gang violence found in the legislation recently introduced by Congressman Adam Schiff of California’s 29’th District. I commend Congressman Schiff and his efforts to fight against gangs and gang violence in his H.R. 3547, “The Gang Prevention, Intervention and Suppression Act.” Unfortunately, Congressman Schiff’s legislation lays the groundwork for more jail retention, not gang prevention.
Again, gangs and gang members must be held accountable for the gang crimes they commit in our communities. Americans demand safe neighborhoods. However, if we are to be truly effective in our fight against gangs and gang violence, there must also be a sustained effort to provide positive anti-gang alternatives to our youth in addition to accountability concerning those who commit acts gang violence. Congressman Scott’s “Youth PROMISE Act” achieves these two objectives.
We have lost a generation of youth to gangs and gang violence. We must save our children. “The Youth PROMISE Act” by Virginia Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott is legislation which will help start our recovery of a lost generation.
For more information on Congressman Scott’s legislation, please call (202)225-8351. To read about “The Youth PROMISE Act,” please click on the following link: