O’Dea Votes to Stop the Spread of Youth Gangs

HARTFORD- State Rep. Thomas O’Dea (New Canaan and Wilton) supported a proposal in the House of Representatives to make it a criminal offense to recruit a minor to participate in a “criminal gang.”
“I supported this proposal with the expectation Connecticut will reduce youth violence and gang activity by educating at risk youth about the consequences of these criminal activities, and by taking preemptive steps to curtail any potential violence,” said Rep. O’Dea, a member of the Judiciary committee.
HB-6703, An Act Concerning Youth Violence and Gang Activity, classifies this new criminal gang recruitment as a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year imprisonment, up to a $ 2,000 fine, or both.
Under the bill, a “criminal gang” is defined as a formal or informal organization, association, or group of three or more people that has: as one of its primary activities, committing one or more criminal acts; members who individually or collectively engage or have engaged in one or more criminal acts; and an identifying name, sign, or symbol, or an identifiable leadership or hierarchy.
The bill also requires the establishment of three city pilot programs with the goal of reducing the number of children and youths that come into contact with the juvenile justice system and to reduce recidivism among delinquent children and youths.
