Other LanguagesThe Bellingham Herald reported that Whatcom County has recently faced a harsh gang reality. Since 2007, the county’s gang violence has risen nearly 34 percent
Toppenish restaurant owner Jose Gatica recently told KIMA TV last year his Las Palomas restaurant was tagged at least three times a month. This year, he says, the amount of graffiti has dropped.
KIMA TV in Yakima today reports that gang activity across the city of Toppenish has been reduced by half-- thanks to a committed community working together. The Washington State Attorney General's Office has been working with community leaders, law enforcement and legislators to pass legislation to assist in the fight against gangs-- and will continue this effort into the future.
The Seattle P.I.'s David Horsey has a provacative cartoon today about the gang problem.
An interesting editorial has been published by the Yakima Herald. It talks about a frightening gang-related weapons seizure:
Here's just a glimpse of what was taken during the drug-related arrest: a MAC-11 machine-gun pistol, several AK-47s, homemade silencers, shortened AR-15 rifles and shotguns. The total: 33 guns. Don't forget the three pipe bombs and a bag full of rolled-up $100 bills totaling thousands of dollars.
We were proud to help sponsor the Tribal Youth Music Academy last week. The six-day event allowed more than 70 teens to learn how to write their own hip-hop music and become "music mentors."
The purpose of this blog is to keep you informed about what we’re doing at the AGO. Here you’ll learn more about the latest issues we’re addressing – from gangs, to prescription drug abuse and beyond.