Gonzales Addresses Gangs at FOP meeting- AP Story

Gonzales says America is threatened by street gangs
By CAIN BURDEAU
Associated Press Writer

In a speech to police officers, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said street gangs are a growing threat in the United States as they become more sophisticated and more heavily involved with organized crime.

Gonzales made his remarks Monday at the 57th biennial national conference of the Fraternal Order of Police. He also mentioned President Bush's nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, calling John Roberts a "well-qualified individual," and praised the Senate for renewing on Friday a version of the Patriot Act.

But Gonzales used his speech to the Fraternal Order of Police to talk about the need to fight street gangs. He warned that the FBI's latest surveys show "gang membership - especially Hispanic gang membership- is on the rise."

"Cities and regions that were once untouched by gangs are now facing the dangers of drugs and violence that flow from gang activity," the attorney general said. "As you know, they are more competitive, regimented, and sophisticated. This gang culture brings with it more violent and targeted techniques for intimidation and control, as well as a flourishing subculture and network of communication."

He added that gangs are connected to organized crime such as "Mexican drug organizations, Asian criminal groups, and Russian mafia."

He also warned that they have become savvy in their use of computers and technology. "Some are even using the Web to set up meetings and expand into identity theft.

"To combat the rise of gangs, he said the Justice Department is developing a national anti-gang strategy and that he has asked each U.S. attorney to designate an "anti-gang coordinator" to work with state and local authorities.

He told the conference that in this era of tight budgets new initiatives to fight gangs will be funded if they produce results.

"Results - not talk - will drive our budgets," he said. "President Bush wants citizens to see concrete results, not just good intentions."

At a news conference following his speech, Gonzales reaffirmed his support for provisions in the Patriot Act that critics say allow authorities to subpoena library and bookstore records and peek at the reading habits of innocent people."We don't want to make libraries safe havens" for terrorists, Gonzales said.

The attorney general also defended the use of the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba as a detention center for terror suspects, saying the base serves a "significant purpose."