Wesselhoft Addresses Gang Membership

Rep. Paul Wesselhoft has filed a bill that seeks to crack down on gang members.

“Organized gangs are involved in knifings, shootings, robberies, home invasions, car thefts, drug deals gone bad and bloody street killings and these gangs threaten our very peace,” said Wesselhöft, R-Moore. “It is past time to outlaw gangs; I am going to do it.”

House Bill 2080, by Wesselhöft, will make being a member of an organized gang that has demonstrated a pattern of delinquent or criminal activity a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for up to 90 days, or by a fine of up to $1,000 or both.

The legislation defines “gang member” and “organized gangs” and identifies the names of existing gangs that have demonstrated a pattern of criminal activity.

Currently, there are more than 5,000 gang members in Oklahoma. On May 31, 2008 six Oklahoma teens were shot in random drive-by shootings by gang members.
In 1999, there were some 50 drive-by shootings. In 2005, drive-by shootings rose to 260.

“Hardly a week passes without the media reporting a drive-by shooting,” Wesselhöft said.

The Moore lawmaker said officials need to start cracking down on gangs before Oklahoma’s youth are recruited and before the problem escalates beyond control.

HB 2080 would penalize a participant or member of a street gang who is 18 years of age or older and is aware that juveniles are members of his or her gang or are participants in the gang. Those convicted would face up to 180 days in the county jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.

“We are also dealing with an increase in ‘baby gangsters’ in Oklahoma who are eight years of age and spreading graffiti to mark gang territory. At age 13, these kids can become full gang members,” said Wesselhöft. “Many of the gangs are also involved in racial rivalries that could escalate into race wars. Oklahoma must outlaw organized gangs and prevent them from intimidating citizens, killing each other and killing innocent bystanders.”

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