South Carolina Gang Prevention Study Committee Releases Report

January 30, 2007 -- Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster announced today that the Gang Prevention Study Committee, created by the General Assembly in the 2007 Criminal Gang Prevention Act, has completed its Initial Report and Findings. The report was submitted to the General Assembly today.

The entire report can be viewed online: http://www.scattorneygeneral.com/newsroom/pdf/2008/gangstudy.pdf

The committee members discussed their findings, which include five (5) recommendations to aid in the state’s fight against criminal gangs that have “spread throughout our state and now pose a significant threat to the community at large”:

1. The State Grand Jury must be utilized to prosecute gang-related crimes and gather information on the structure and organization of gangs.

2. The state must provide specialized education and training for law enforcement personnel and the public service community to effectively combat gang-related crimes.

3. The state must have a mandatory, inclusive reporting system to track gang activity through the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

4. Schools, parents, concerned citizens and youths must be educated to the dangers of criminal gangs.

5. The state must develop a comprehensive plan to combat gang activity, including integration of new programs and ideas into existing gang diversion programs.

The Gang Prevention Study Committee was established to study and keep abreast of issues and problems concerning criminal gang activity in South Carolina. The committee has met several times to discuss and develop strategies for combating the state’s problems posed by criminal gangs.

The Criminal Gang Prevention Act structures the committee:

1. The Attorney General, who shall serve as chairman;

2. three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

3. three members of the Senate, appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore;

4. one person appointed by the Chief of the State Law Enforcement Division;

Page 2 of 2 5. one person appointed by the South Carolina Sheriff’s Association;

6. one person appointed by the Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice;

7. one person appointed by the Director of the Department of Corrections;

8. one person appointed by the Director of the Department of Social Services;

9. one person appointed by the South Carolina Municipal Association; and 10. two persons appointed by the Governor, one of whom must be a member of the faith-based community.

Source: South Carolina Attorney General

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