The LA Times reports that $2.5 million dollars will be handed out by the Federal Government to battle gang violence in Los Angeles, specifically for three public housing projects with the deadliest statistics.
“U.S. Atty. Gen. Alberto R. Gonzales said the money will pay for gang prevention programs at the Imperial Courts, Nickerson Gardens and Jordan Downs housing projects, all in South Los Angeles.
The funds also will support stepped-up prosecution of gang criminals and other efforts, such as job assistance and mental health treatment, to help offenders who return from incarceration.
“There is no future in being a member of a gang,” said Gonzales, who made the announcement during a national gang summit attended by mayors from around the country. “Gangs are shattering the hopes of young people who succumb to their false promises.”
$2.5 million dollars to save the lives of young Americans in our poorest areas. Two point five million. You can’t even buy a three bedroom home in Beverly Hills with that money. How can you expect to make a dent with this penny-pinching amount? There is nothing so frightening as our government pretending to help its own citizens.
Here in Van Nuys 
Forgive me for being sardonic, but I have two questions here…
1. Why don’t we help law-abiding South Central citizens fight crime by buying them guns? Gun-rights’ advocates say that concealed-carry laws help deter crime. Well, why not hand out guns where there is real crime? Put the theory to the test.
2. Where are the gun nuts? With a love for firearms that borders on obsession, these guys have both pride and swagger. If the Minutemen are corageous enough to intimidate docile dark-skinned people coming from points south, why not form a militia against gang members, drug dealers and petty thugs? This would be more appropriate, considering that this is a real threat. Oh, and said miscreants have a sporting chance of defending themselves. They can be proud and swagger when there’s, you know, actual danger.
These ideas may be crazy enough to work. With $2.5 million, that’ll just go to hiring officers or paying overtime. More of the same, but cops are monied constituencies.
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