BATTLING THE GANGS

By any measure, the roundup last week of 63 suspects in gang-related
crime activity by state and local law enforcement officials was
impressive police work.

It showed what coordination of efforts can do to confront a problem
that has spun out of control in cities and towns across the state
over the last several years. More important, it will mean that our
streets and neighborhoods will be safer for the many law-abiding
residents who have suffered from the violence and threats that gang
activity produces.

"Today is a great day for the people of New Jersey in their fight
against crime, especially in their fight against gangs," Attorney
General Zulima Farber said at a press conference. "Score one for us,
no, over 60 for us," she said, referring to the number of arrests.

Officers from 31 separate police agencies, led by the State Police,
snagged the suspects, 41 of whom were considered "significant
leaders" in a highly organized and deadly gang called the 93
Gangsters. The charges range from drug dealing to weapons offenses to
murder and drive-by shootings.

It probably comes as no surprise that Trenton, with its spate of
gang-related shootings over the last two years, was one of the
centers of the gang's crime wave. Gang experts say that their
investigations show that there are about 140 members of 93 Gangsters
in the capital city. And still fresh in our memory are the two
innocent children who earlier this year were wounded when they got
caught in the cross-fire of rival gangs.

While the bust last week was big (State Police Superintendent Col.
Rick Fuentes called it one of "the most significant and large-scale
gang takedowns in the history of law enforcement in the state"), it
follows on the heels of some recent impressive work by Trenton police.

Earlier in the week, police broke up what was termed a "major heroin
distribution ring" when they raided five houses, arresting two
suspects and confiscating numerous weapons, cash and large quantities
of heroin. Officers fanned out across the city and raided all five
locations at the same time because the suspects were capable of
moving their weapons and illegal drugs from house to house in an
effort to throw off police. The success of that raid is a tribute to
the skill and hard work of local investigators.

The Times in the past has been critical of the city's response to the
gang scourge in Trenton, particularly when organized street gangs
first began showing their colors. But times have changed. There's
still a problem, but local police clearly have demonstrated that they
have a tighter grip on the situation. That can only mean good news
for Trenton residents.