North Carolina legislators smiled for the cameras today as they told reporters how tough they're getting on gangs. They even imported cops from all over North Carolina to add a decorative "law enforcement" flair to their Raleigh press conference. But that doesn't make their gang bill any less of a sham.
   Over the next few days, you'll hear about the "get-tough" gang legislation the North Carolina Senate is trying to pass.
   Don't be fooled. If it passes, the Street Gang Prevention Act, which was sponsored by Sen. Malcolm Graham, D-Mecklenburg, would actually be a victory not against gangs, but for ultra-liberal anti-imprisonment groups Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) and the Triangle Lost Generation Task Force. 
  Both groups worked to remove tough prison sentences from the original gang bill. The bill is now so watered down, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory told me in an interview yesterday on NewsTalk1110 WBT, that he declined an invitation to attend today's press conference in support of it. McCrory says he doesn't want the public to think the legislation provides a solution to the gang problem.

   "By now you know that the Senate has 'stripped' about anything useful from the 'Street Gang Prevention Act,'" Forsyth County District Attorney Thomas J. Keith wrote in a letter last week to McCrory, who spent over a year lobbying for the original, tougher bill. "All that is left is a Class H felony, which after a difficult and complex trial, carries only a 5 to 6 months sentence with possible probation. The gang leadership punishment was reduced from 10 years to a Class F felony which is only a 13 to 16 months sentence with possible probation. The 5, 71/2 and 10 year enhancements for use of a gun were completely eliminated."

   In his letter, Keith suggested that the mayors might try to put the sentences back in the bill as it works its way through the state House. 
   "The House subcommittee took up the bill again this week," Keith wrote. "I'm sure they will 'dumb down' most of it as well to 'save jail beds.'"
   Keith is referring to the FAMM's ongoing campaign, in partnership with the North Carolina Black Leadership Caucus, to stop gang legislation and significant prison sentences of any kind for gang activity because they believe law enforcement will target African-Americans and Latinos.
   In this press release, FAMM credits the Black Leadership Caucus, which Charlotte Mayoral candidate Rep. Beverly Earle chaired and remains a member of, with helping to stop prior versions of the legislation, which FAMM calls "harsh."
   Incredibly, even though the current bill contains little more than a slap on the hand in terms of sentences for hardened gang-bangers, FAMM and the Triangle Lost Generation Task Force are still opposing it because it contains any jail time for offenders, no matter how scant, WRAL reported today. 
   Word on the street is that these groups and Democratic legislators who don't want to build jails are hoping to kill this in the house. 
   Whatever happens this week, FAMM and friends have won a significant victory in getting politicians to dramatically reduce any sentences for gang activity. 
   The bill is almost a pathetic gesture when you consider the trend of the movement to the US of entrenched, hard-core gang members who have terrorized Mexico and South America.