GangsLocal, federal focus on deadly gang violence on Long Island

Steve Bellone, Suffolk County Executive, on Monday called on the federal government more carefully to vet immigrant teens who come into the country as unaccompanied minors — and notify local government agencies of the arrival of these teens. Bellone said these steps should be parts of a “comprehensive approach” more effectively to counter the reach and proliferation of violent street gangs – especially the brutal MS-13 gang.

M-13 is linked to the killing of four teenagers, whose bodies were found in Central Islip on 12 April.

“We’ve made it clear that our resolve is strong here and that we are determined not only to solve the murders” linked to the gang, but also “to weaken MS-13” and take away the group’s power to recruit, Bellone said. “Our goal is to eradicate this gang from Suffolk County.”

Newsday reports that Suffolk County ranks fourth in the United States in the number of unaccompanied minors who cross illegally into the United States. Anti-trafficking law make such minors entitled to legal protections and resettlement.

Bellone said that most of the minors “are very successful in reuniting with families” and becoming part of their communities, but that the gang sees them as potential recruits.

Thirteen MS-13 members were indicted recently for killing two young women and a young male gang member in Brentwood – and seven of them had crossed the border as unaccompanied minors.

Bellone called for more resources for law enforcement agencies in the region dealing with gangs, and for more focused preventive and educational programs that help recent teen migrants adapt to life here. “If we don’t provide the structure, MS-13 will. If we don’t do this, MS-13 will,” Bellone said.

There has been a surge since 2014 in the number of unaccompanied minors coming to the United States, mostly from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Most of the minors are entitled to federal anti-trafficking protections, and subsequent resettlement with relatives or foster families.

Newsday notes that Suffolk received 841 new arrivals between 1 October 2016, and 28 February, the last period for which figures have been published by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, part of the Administration for Children & Families.

Nassau ranks tenth in the nation in resettled unaccompanied minors, with 608 settling in the county in the same reporting period.

Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford), whose district includes some of the areas affected by gang violence, agreed with Bellone on the need for several measures — restructuring the resettlement program, more funding from federal agencies, support for gang prevention programs, and mpre.

“All the above are important,” said King, adding the matter is “at the center of the radar screen” of the Trump administration. “We need to look at what can be done administratively and what can be done legislatively.”

King told community members in Suffolk County that he would hold congressional hearings on the issue.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is scheduled to visit Central Islip Friday to discuss Long Island’s gang violence problem with local officials.

Last week, at a Washington, D.C. meeting on transnational organized crime, Sessions said “criminal organizations like MS-13 represent one of the gravest threats to American safety.”

Sessions warned: “If you are a gang member, we will find you. We will devastate your networks. We will starve your revenue sources, deplete your ranks and seize your profits. We will not concede a single block or street corner to your vicious tactics.”