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Texas mulls online gang recruitment ban

by on06 March 2009


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Mexican standoff


A Texan
lawmaker has introduced a bill designed to crack down on gang online activity, which would make participation in gang related internet activities a felony.

The Anti-Gang and Corruption Act, introduced by Dallas Republican state Sen. John Carona, is expected to go to a committee for discussion, and is already drawing quite a bit of attention from fellow lawmakers and Texas Governor Rick Perry.

Perry has voiced his support for the bill, saying gangs such as the Mexican Mafia, the Texas Syndicate, MS-13 and Barrio Azteca are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and their influence stretches on both sides of the US-Mexico border.

Rob Gallardo, a gang prevention counselor with Operation No Gangs, says a lot of gang related online content shows illegal activities, such as drug use, vandalism and fights. Everything is categorized and documented by the gangs. "Graffiti is now out. The Internet replaced graffiti completely,"says Gallardo.

Mexican drug cartels have already used the internet to indimidate Juarez police officials, and to warn of upcoming bloodshed in the city. Almost 2,000 people were killed in the Mexican city since the start of 2008.

More here.
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