Juvenile violence task force hears ideas on Fighting Crime

About 100 residents attended a forum Thursday to give their ideas about how to combat juvenile crime and gang activity in the city.

The meeting was hosted by the Juvenile Crime, Graffiti and Gang Violence Task Force created by Mayor Chris Boswell in July.

Elvia Rodriguez was one of many concerned parents who attended. Although her daughter is only 6 years old, Rodriguez said she wants to be informed about what she needs to do as a parent to prevent her child from getting involved in crime and gangs when she gets older.

"My daughter is young but she already sees all the problems around her," Rodriguez said. "I think there's a lack of attention from parents towards their children. Kids need to know that their parents care."

Gene Gough attended the forum because his Harlingen business near Combes was tagged with graffiti about six weeks ago.

Gough said both parents and children should be punished when a juvenile commits a crime. Laws need to be stricter so that first-time juvenile offenders do not "get off easy," but rather receive a punishment to deter them from committing crimes again, he said.

The task force was charged with examining juvenile crime and gang violence in Harlingen during the past five years. It is expected to make recommendations on how to improve law enforcement, education and community efforts to reduce the incidents of violence.

Task force co-chairman George McShan, also the Harlingen school district board of trustees president, said there is nothing more important than the children and youth of Harlingen.

"Young people deserve an equal life chance," McShan said. "There's so much promise. We decided that we are going to look towards the future. We are coming together to make a difference."

Richard Romero, 19, who identified himself as a former gang member, said parental involvement is key to preventing children from becoming involved with gangs.

"Being in gangs is a life of nothing but regrets," Romero said.

Romero said to parents in the audience that they need to be involved with their children by talking to them and getting them involved in activities such as sports.

Another teenager who also spoke to the audience and identified himself as a former gang member said getting involved with a church helped him quit gangs.

"I go to a new church - and that's good - I'm proud of that," the teenager said. "Gangs say that they have your back but they never do. When I was there they turned their backs on me."

Emiliano Dias de Leon, an audience member, said there needs to be more "youth-friendly" activities available in the city.

Moses Mendoza, ROTC instructor at Harlingen High School, said that both parents and teachers need to be educated on what a gang is and how to properly identify gang activity.

Martin Espinoza said God has to be first in this effort and that parents should not be afraid of educating and disciplining their children.

Residents also filled out a questionnaire. The task force is planning to make recommendations to city commissioners in December.