Gangs and Parks
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Re “Whose Rights First?” Platform, Commentary, Jan. 9:
Mike Salgado erroneously argues that a San Fernando ordinance banning gang members from public parks is justified, since by doing so society benefits.
Banning known gang members from the park, even if they are not committing a crime, would greatly undermine the constitutional right to peaceably assemble.
He is correct in saying that gang members frequently “use the park to violate the law, like drinking in public, car burglary, graffiti and conspiracy--planning their next attacks. . . .” However, these acts are already illegal and gang members who engage in these activities are prosecuted.
The individual rights of gang members cannot be abridged. They should be arrested for actually breaking the law, not just because they are likely to do so.
PETER LIGH
Montebello
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