Pubdate: Fri, 05 Mar 2004 Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA) Copyright: 2004 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Contact: http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28 Author: Jennifer Brett GWINNETT GRAND JURY: DRUGS, GANGS WINNING As Gwinnett police investigate the latest gang-related drive-by shooting, a recent grand jury report warns the county's gang and drug problems have become dire. "It is our sense that the vast majority of the citizenry of Gwinnett is unaware of the pervasiveness of these two problems," reads the report, issued Feb. 27. The 23-member panel worked from September through February. While giving high marks to the district attorney's office staff and the law enforcement officers who made presentations to the grand jury, members ended their service with a grim pronouncement. "Despite the excellent work of our law enforcement officials, Gwinnett County is losing the war on drugs and gangs," the report says. "The average adult citizen, busy working and raising a family, is likely to be unaware of the extent to which drugs and gangs have infiltrated Gwinnett County." Police have identified 175 gangs with as many as 1,800 members operating in Gwinnett. Last year, of the 3,441 felony cases that reached Gwinnett Superior Court, 918 were drug cases, the report said. In many other cases, "the desire for drugs was the motivation behind the commission of theft and other offenses." Senior Assistant District Attorney Keith Miles said the grand jury report "reflects what I see going on day to day." The report came days before Brenda Arreola, 39, was shot Wednesday night and taken to Gwinnett Medical Center in serious condition. The shooting occurred just before 10:30 p.m. when the victim walked outside her home on Casanova Court in Lawrenceville after a birthday party. Her injuries are not life-threatening. "It's believed to be gang-related," said Gwinnett police spokesman Dan Huggins. He said Arreola's teenage son possibly was the target. Meanwhile, the grand jury report calls for a widespread campaign to educate people about drug- and gang-related crime. "A citizenry that relies simply on drug criminalization, police enforcement and education in our public schools to address drug and gang problems is a citizenry prone to the spread of these two vices," the report says. The grand jurors recommend that churches, Scout groups, homeowners associations and othergroups work to get out information such as spotting signs of gang activity among youngsters. "Because of Gwinnett County's affluence, drug dealers will continue to see our county as a bountiful hunting ground for their harmful trade," the report said. The Gwinnett County school system offers students a variety of programs addressing drugs, violence and risky behavior. Grand jury members also said they were concerned about budget constraints at the GBI Crime Lab. Hamstrung by lack of resources, the lab cannot test every piece of evidence needed to put cases together, the report said. "Much good police work goes unrewarded, and criminal behavior is not punished to the fullest extent," it said. Bob Riffe, an investigator with the district attorney's office, was among the law enforcement personnel who made presentations to the grand jury. He agreed with the report. "Drugs and gangs are a bigger problem than most people are aware of," he said. "It's frustrating at times. We just keep doing what we can do, keep plugging on." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake