Harsher penalties could await gang related criminals

January 25, 2011

the gang- related shooting death of a 17- year-old boy this weekend in the minute thumbnail 06:10 pm four corners has some people calling for tougher penalties for gang violence. liz lastra has the story: dan darnell works with san juan safe communities and says gang activity is something the group monitors very closely. "it's actually a way of life...it's going on all the time" over the weekend 17 year old stanley smith was shot and killed in front of this shell gas station. darnell says one reason gangs are a problem is because they move to new mexico. "maybe 1 or 2 individuals will relocate because we have no gang legislation" with no gang legislation it makes it harder to crack down on the growing numbers of gang members. "gang recruitment should be a crime...it is in every other state around us" sergeant brandon lane works with the farmington gang task force. "you don't see it it's not visible on the street level. they're not out blatantly in the public eye" darnell is trying to implement an intervention program in the area. "it's just incredible the number of kids that have so much potential that's minute thumbnail 06:11 pm being absolutely wasted because they don't understand that there's a better way" in farmington... liz lastra