AUTHORITIES CALL FOR CITYWIDE ANTI-GANG EFFORT

MEMPHIS, Tenn.- More safe havens for children and better teamwork between
city and county drug squads are parts of a new plan to reduce the gunfire
that has cut down four Memphis youngsters in recent weeks.

Three of those children died and the other was critically hurt. All were
hit by random gunfire set off by young men believed linked to gangs or drugs.

"Every decent person in this community is outraged," Mayor Willie Herenton
said at a news conference Monday.

With him was Police Director Walter Crews, who outlined a citywide program,
which he called a work in progress, to help reduce the number of gang
members and drug dealers in the city.

The program will depend on assistance from civic groups, churches, law
enforcement agencies and ordinary citizens as well.

"Collectively, it is all of our responsibility to deal with this problem,"
Herenton said.

Ordinarily, police go to work after a crime has been committed, but Crews
said the new program is aimed at preventing violence to children.

Essentially, it has two aims: cutting down on the number of youngsters
drawn to gangs and drugs and locking up those who already are lost.

Churches and civil groups are being urged to create safe havens where
children who fear violence in their neighborhoods, or even from their
families, can seek temporary shelter, Crews said.

"Where are the children to go when the adults in their lives are so abusive
toward them?" Crews asked.

A 24-hour "child-link hot line" staffed by counselors trained to deal with
youngsters will be available for children to call for help.

Residents who see gang or drug activity will be urged to call another
24-hour hot line staffed by police.

Authorities expect to have those hot lines up and running in about a week.

"I'm asking as the mayor if you know where the drug dealers are, if you
know where the crack houses are ... you need to turn them in," Herenton said.

City police and the Shelby County Sheriff's Department already have a
combined anti-gang unit.

A metro narcotics squad was disbanded 20 years ago because of political
differences between the two agencies, Crews said. It will be reformed
within a month.

Police, joined by District Attorney General Bill Gibbons, are calling on
state lawmakers to increase penalties for violent crimes committed by three
or more people acting together.

They also want penalties increased for people caught carrying firearms
illegally, particularly those previously convicted of weapons offenses,
assault or drug possession.

The proposals also would create a new crime category for firing a gun from
a vehicle.

The so-called "Street Terrorism Bill" and "Crooks with Guns Bill" have
"been in committee for four years," Crews said.

Such laws "would provide severe penalties for drive-by shootings and gang
activity," he said.

Crews said he soon will name a coordinator to bring together the police
agencies, educators, business leaders and private citizens needed to put
together the various parts of the program.

Police, meanwhile, will focus on the 10 to 15 percent of the criminals who
commit 75 percent of the crimes.

"They have to be put away. They have to be controlled because they can't
control themselves," Crews said.