Despite Mayor Sam Adams’ push to negate gang violence, Portland saw eight deaths related to gang violence in 2011—the highest in over a decade. The majority of these deaths were youth. In response to this morbid boom, Portland-area pastors joined together today to sign a new protocol for gang-related funerals, nixing gang attire (specific colors, bandanas, hats, etc.) and other items “glorifying gang life.”
“As community leaders Pastors have come together to take a stand against violence,” wrote the Portland Police Bureau in a press release. “Sadly, many times this stand comes at a time of crisis and in the face of senseless tragic violence where there is a loss of life of a young person.”
The pastors hope that banning gang-related regalia will combat the looming influence gang culture has on local violence and deaths. The pastors signed this Covenant for Violence at 10:30 this morning.
According to police stats, Portland gang shootings are already up from last year at this time (36 compared to 57), with an even spread of activity across the city. Yikes. For now, Mayor Adams has kicked off his program to distract kids from gang involvement this summer (Operation Safe Summer—which sounds more like an FBI operative than some laid-back puppet classes for youth) in parks across Portland. Let’s hope for change.
Yeah, because all the various bans on “gang-related clothing” have worked so well throughout the past few decades. Alternatively, they could just pray, in order to try and influence God’s great plan.
Why so snarkastically dismissve about this?
you don’t “negate gang violence”, you “stop gang violence”.
a “whooping eight deaths”?
“the majority of these deaths were in youth?” they were in youth? really?
“morbid boom”?
Oh, honey. You’re terrible at this writing thing.
I used to frequent a hip-hop nitespot 10 years ago called the Sunset Club. The violence got so bad that the owners started a dress code (no sneakers, no clothes with logos, shirts had to be tucked in, no excessivly baggy jeans, etc). The amount of Hennessy-induced fistfights did not decrease in any noticable way; Sunset Club closed it’s doors shortly after. Forcing a dress code does not do shit.
Do weapon-themed flower arrangements fall under the “other items” category?
LIKE HABITS AND ROMAN COLLARS?
How dare you. Gang attire is part of their culture!
Ok, and just what the fuck is “gang attire” suppose to entail, huh?
Goddamn idiot god-men, never helpful!
If someone wants to put a plastic Glock in their little brothers casket and play “Thug Life” at the funeral who’s to say otherwise? Racists!!!
Yeah, I am sure a puppet show will go a long toward curbing “gang violence”
Gang attire would be clothing and accessories consistently worn by gang members with the intention to represent their membership.
While these particular men-of-god are not particularly bright in their current efforts to abate the amount of violence existing within their communities, this may be due to the fact that a good flock is a scared flock.
Get the flock outta here! (sorry, couldn’t resist. Bonus points if you can cite the movie reference)
Porky’s 3?
@shaitan..bingo! You are my hero, ten internet,s to you!