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