Spin Alert A group of

Spin Alert A group of Houston citizens, sick of their neighborhood being ignored by the police, have armed themselves and taken to the streets - or, as the Houston Chronicle says, "HoustonChronicle.com - Weapon-toting neighbors declare war on local thugs".

The article does its best to subtly discredit the citizens involved:

Assistant Chief Charles McClelland said the group's efforts could backfire and touch off a new gang skirmish -- one between the residents and street thugs.

I think they might know that, Mr. Assistant Chief. I believe that's why they're patrolling the streets:

Black takes issue with what he sees as neglect from the Houston Police Department and the Anti-Gang Office. Gangs have their way on East End streets, he said, urinating in yards, selling drugs in plain view and robbing homes.

From his porch, Black said, he has not seen enough police to deter the criminals.

In addition to Black, the 13-member group includes a pipefitter, a man who resisted a gang invitation, a man whose wife was beaten by gang members, a young woman and eight other men.

No mention of the members' race, meaning they must be mixed; otherwise, there'd have been an "all-white" in there somwhere.

How about the other officials involved?:

Adrian Garcia, director the Anti-Gang Office, said forming an armed posse is "a crazy remedy. We would never encourage residents to do that."

I wonder if their "anti gang task forces" work as well as the one in Minneapolis? Y'know, the one that has been utterly unable to make a significant dent in gang activity in South Minneapolis in the past 17 years?

A violent response to street thugs might only foment more violence, Garcia said. The gang task force, he said, instead tries to find creative, peaceful resolutions to street conflicts.

"Might only foment more violence"? "Please, Mr. Banger, I'm not trying to foment anything..."

In a 1998 case in southeast Houston, Garcia's office found that a family feud centering on two young lovers had sparked what seemed to be a gang war.

And, Mr. Garcia, might any of the "family feuders" have also been gang members? Might that possibly have been wny the "family feud" got violent in the first place?

If a real resurgence in East End gang activity is occurring, Garcia said, it may be because some leaders convicted of crimes in the 1990s are making parole.

Here in Minnesota, we know all about violent criminals getting out out parole.

Garcia also noted that Houston gangs rarely attempt to terrorize their neighborhoods to the degree that Black describes.

Rarely!

When the Personal Protection Act passes, I'm going to apply for a permit so fast, the scent of burning rubber will still be in the air when I get home.

Posted by Mitch at December 3, 2002 08:27 AM