By:Jerry Burke
"We wanted to let the people speak and channel our energies in a way where we can build a consensus and invest in our community," said Alfano at the Tuesday-morning conference at Elmont Road School. "We have a tremendous foundation of community-based organizations and volunteers, and we need to release their talents in doing more for our neighborhoods."
The bill, currently in its infancy, seeks to not only increase penalties for gang crimes, but also to implement a comprehensive strategy to prevent the further recruitment of gang members. "It's easy to say, 'We've got to get tougher on crime,'" said Alfano. "But to make this legislation work, we need to back it up with a holistic approach, creating alternatives to gang lifestyles."
"Kids need to know that when it comes to gangs, they'll end up either in jail or, worse, dead," said Barra. "The instant gratification young people receive in these gangs isn't worth either of those options."
The board room of the Elmont School District administrative offices was packed with community leaders from all walks of life, from police officers to students who themselves deal with the threat of gangs every day. "If our parents and our school take responsibility and take a lead," said Elmont Memorial High School student Michael Texidor, "we will follow their example."
Fellow student Chris Clerge credited Elmont Principal Al Harper's work in creating a gang-free environment by knowing the students personally and keeping those who don't belong in the school out.
Hoping to understand the attraction gangs may have for today's youth, the roundtable heard testimony from a panel of law enforcement agents. "Gangs rely solely on intimidation to recruit their numbers," said New York State Trooper Hector Alessio, whose work as an investigator with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, based in Hempstead, gives him front-line experience with the issue. "It is a terrorist subculture that can only be defeated with equally aggressive legislation."
Speaking specifically about the Latin Kings and their rival gang, MS-13, Alessio explained that many gang members come to Long Island from South America, and have little fear of the police. "This is how it is in many of their countries, especially El Salvador," said Alessio. "That's how they are taught growing up. Their native police force have little power to stop them."
While Alessio admitted that he can't definitively say law enforcement is winning the battle against gangs, he was positive that it can never let up. "The more resources we have, the better prepared we will be," he said.
As members of various local civic groups came to testify, the focus shifted to the micromanagement communities needed to embrace in the search for a solution. "Civics need to do their part to make sure our towns are places where children thrive," said Elmont Community Awareness Program Chairwoman Cheryl Lee, pointing out how the overwhelming passage of a bond for Elmont's new library took a big step in the right direction.
"You'll never be able to legislate morality or good behavior," commented Seth Bykofsky of the Tri-Community Alliance, "but a bill like this can provide the tools needed to prevent these activities in our towns."
Highlighting the conference were the stirring comments made by Emanuel Baptist Church's pastor, the Rev. H. David Parker, whose 41 years of ministry in Elmont has stood as a beacon to many neighboring communities. "You can pass a billion laws, but unless you reach their hearts, it's meaningless," said Parker. "We have to bear in mind that [gang members] are still human beings."
Parker believes that if anything, the bill should provide for an increase in the number of supervised community centers in every neighborhood so parents know where their children are. "You have parents working two, three, even four jobs, seven days a week, just to live here," he said. "It's not fair to just place responsibility on the schools or the politicians. Parents need to get more involved, and that means helping them out so they can stay close to their children."
Echoing Parker's sentiments was Gateway Youth Outreach director Patrick Boyle, who works directly with more than 1,800 kids each year on Long Island. "I'll always be asking for more money for my organization," he said, "but the fact is that after-school programs just work." Boyle cited the success his group has had with the 600 children who use three of Elmont's schools for after-school homework programs.
Boyle also called for businesses to increase the number of teenagers they hire as summer help. "They need alternatives to selling drugs or just hanging out and doing nothing useful," he said.
While the bill will be modified over the upcoming weeks, Alfano and Barra hope to gather numerous co-sponsors from both sides of the political spectrum. "We're going to make little changes here and there," said Barra. "But this is a good start to put us in the right direction."
After the roundtable discussion, Battaglia's widow, Caryn, spoke to reporters about gangs. "It's a tremendous problem, and unfortunately it took until my husband was killed before people started looking at it," she said.
Battaglia, however, stood firm in her belief that there is hope for the future. "They took my husband, but they're not going to take anything more from me," she said. "Young people need to realize they have choices, and that they can make the right ones."
