HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2014.10.23 - 21565aption of pfriforegOing Resolution.
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`rnissioner Bill Dwyer
District #14
Miscellaneous Resolution # 14255 Jpe a
BY: Commissioner Mattie McKinney Hatchett, District #10; Commissioner Bill Dwyer, District #14 16C-6(-0
RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE BILL 5682 TO COMBAT GANG
RELATED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a National Gang Threat Assessment in 2011 and
concluded that there are approximately 1.4 million active street, prison, and outlaw motorcycle gang members
comprising more than 33,000 gangs in the United States ; and
WHEREAS in recent years, gangs are participating in more non-traditional crimes such as prostitution, alien
smuggling, and human trafficking, identity theft, and mortgage fraud- non-traditional crimes that create higher
profitability and lower visibility; and
WHEREAS gang initiation often includes a violent crime that could include theft, murder, gang-rape, or drive-by
shooting; and
WHEREAS gangs are one of the leading factors for growth of violent crimes both on and off school property; and
WHEREAS members of gangs wear specific articles of clothing to be recognized as part of the group such as
bandanas, hats, scarves of certain colors, or gang-related tattoos or symbols; and
WHEREAS in 2009, following a significant rise in gang-related crime in Oakland County, the FBI, in conjunction
with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, Oakland County Prosecutor's Office, Michigan State Police, Bloomfield
Township Police Department, Auburn Hills Police Department, Waterford Police Department, Homeland
Security, Michigan Department of Corrections, and Drug Enforcement Agency formed the Oakland County
Violent Gang Task Force to identify and target for prosecution violent criminal enterprises that operate in and
around the Oakland County area; and
WHEREAS in 2008, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard authorized the formation of the Jail Gang
Intelligence Unit because law enforcement had recognized that gang members being sent to jail did not stop
their activities; and
WHEREAS the current statute that defines and prescribes gang activity is almost impossible to use and needs
reform to be an effective tool for law enforcement; and
WHEREAS Michigan needs an effective law to target individuals who have demonstrated a pattern of criminal
activity due to gang involvement; and
WHEREAS House Bill 5682 is modeled on laws in that have proven effective in California and Florida in the
prosecution of the most dangerous, violent gangs; and
WHEREAS House Bill 5682 provides a reasonable burden of proof for gang membership and realistic sanctions
for the judiciary to consider, and
WHEREAS this legislation is provides law enforcement and prosecutors with necessary tools to meet a growing
threat in Michigan, the region and Oakland County.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners supports House Bill 5682
to create an effective law to combat gang criminal activity in Michigan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the County of Oakland is directed to submit a copy of this
resolution to the Board's legislative lobbyists, the Office of the Governor, Senate Majority Leader,
Senate Minority Leader, Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader and the Oakland County
delegation to the Michigan Legislature.
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Resolution #14255 October 23, 2014
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no
objections.