Widespread Denial Of A Gang Issue A Major Problem In Utah Public Schools and Elsewhere!

“When there's death threats written in gang graffiti and threats between specific groups on school property and adjacent to school property that's very concerning to me.”

On September 17th, I got ABC4.com News involved with an issue of ongoing threatening gang graffiti on public school property as well as adjacent property. (PLEASE NOTE THE BUREAUCRATIC REDTAPE))The Union Pacific RAILROAD BRIDGE area was cleaned. The biggest issue being that on the west side of the public school chainlink fence,and on the west of the fence on a NEARBY UTILITY POLE, UTILITY BOX, and trail entrance to school from the rail road tracks is still there! 09/29/2009 Update from 10-05-09 After dealing with bureaucratic red tape because of school district not locating an area famous with students,(students and community that have been in the neighborhood for more than ten years are aware of this area) and the local electricity company not finding it, the issue is mostly resolved. I say mostly because now it is up to the Public School District and Utility Company to monitor the area.
In my opinion the Granite School District downplays any gang or gang drug related issues that may escalate on or near school property.
It should be noted that due to some basic ongoing issues Statewide that it is also not just this district.
Districts in poor,middle class and upper middle class communities within the State are still being retroactive instead of proactive with gang deterrence. The School Districts must set a positive example for kids attending and the surrounding community. One such example of very lax or non existent gang deterrence is a lack of streamlined programs to keep kids out of gangs and away from drug addiction. These are either totally lacking or so limited in course application that they do not make significant impacts. The Second issue is an outright blatant disregard for deterrence of gangs by limiting the impacts of peer pressure. Besides hip hop and street culture which manifests in clothing styles,music,and the correlated peer pressures; there is also a significant threat posed to children in communities if they wear the wrong colors,or have certain graffiti street inspired styles on.
Just a few years ago a young innocent girl was in our county wearing the wrong colors at the wrong time. This non gang affiliated girl was shot at while attending a movie near her Junior High School.She survived her injuries. She was wearing the colors of her Junior High. Unfortunately for those not studying the impact of criminal street gangs, this has quickly been overlooked and forgotten. Clothing that is known by law enforcement as gang affiliated attire. The issue of non enforcement of gang clothing attire can be found in almost every single public school.Very basic knowledge of criminal street gangs within their communities would help the School Boards understand the significance!
IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE THREATENING GANG GRAFFITI ON PUBLIC SCHOOL PROPERTY INSIDE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FENCE LINE BOUNDARY or for that matter anywhere on public school property. The same goes for tag vandalism!

MY GOAL IS TO HELP STEM THE SPREAD OF GANG RELATED VIOLENCE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES. I ASK ONLY FOR COOPERATION FOR THOSE IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION!

DO NOT BLAME LOCAL OR STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT, IT NOW COMES A TIME TO CHANGE THE BUREACRATIC RED TAPE WHICH CONTINUES TO BE DENIAL OF AN ONGOING GANG ISSUE IN UTAH PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

I am confident that Utah State Government,The Counties and the School Districts working with law enforcement and community activists will resolve these very significant issues long term.

I applaud the Utah State Legislature for Tightening the Gang Laws In Utah as of 2008. Thank You To Our Past Governor John Huntsman and all who worked hard! Thank You To All In Utah Public Safety, Someday the State Of Utah will make you a priority!