KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasLas Vegas Gang Violence Takes Huge Jump

Las Vegas Gang Violence Takes Huge Jump

Police say gang violence is on the rise in the Las Vegas Valley. Gang shootings are up 50-percent this year and gang membership hit an all time high. Eyewitness News investigates the problem and tellsyou aboutpossible solutions from former gang members.

Gang affiliation may mean tattoos. It may also mean prison time or a life filled with violence. New Metro Police numbers show gang members are getting more aggressive.

Former gang member Johnny Boy talked with Eyewitness News.

Johnny Boy said, "They have been closing down all the fun things for kids like Wet 'n Wild and Scandia and stuff like that. So, that has a lot to do with things."

Scandia is a putt-putt golf course where teens used to hang out.

Johnny Boy believes the violence and gang membership increased because the outlets are gone.

"It's fun. People want to have fun. If there ain't no fun for us to do, of course we will be getting into trouble, finding something to do," he said.

Nothing replaced the Wet 'n Wild water park. In fact, it's a taggers dream. You can see nothing but graffiti and overgrown plants.

The head of a county gang intervention program says it's one thing to tell kids to stay away from gangs; it's another to give them an alternative like Wet 'n Wild.

Alex Bernal, with the Back on Track program said, "We've got to give them something. We just cannot say stop we have to give them something whether it be a job or apprenticeship program or something."

If nothing changes Johnny Boy believes more young adults will follow his path, which led to prison for attempted murder. He chose a different direction because of his son and now he's the father of two.

Johnny Boy said, "Iwant them to live a good life. I don't want them to see the side where people die, where people get hurt. I don't want them to see it."

He hopes others can reach their children in time as well.

Johnny Boy decided to volunteer to help children choose a better path than he did. He still has many gang friends, but music and his boys keep him from making the wrong choice again.

Johnny Boy is working on his seventh rap album.

Funding is already running short for the Metro's Gang Task Force.

As of June 16, the agency has only one person working for it. Federal funding dried up this year.

The Gang Task Force needs about $200,000 to operate and has applied for more federal grant money and is asking for private donations.

Metro says gang membership rose from 5,900 to more than 7,500 in two years.

To find out how  to get a copy of the Metro Gang Task Force Parent's Handbook on Gangs, call 455-2166. Parents must go through a free 90-minute seminar.

Email reporter Edward Lawrence at elawrence@klastv.com