COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT TARGETS
GANG ACTIVITY

BOISE – Federal, state and local officials signed a cooperative agreement today that provides funding for a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney that will prosecute gang crimes in Idaho.  The agreement was signed by Governor Jim Risch, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, U.S. Attorney Tom Moss, Eagle Mayor Nancy Merrill, representing the Treasure Valley Partnership, and Hal Tolmie, chair of the Owyhee County Commissioners.

“This cooperative agreement sends a clear signal that gang-related crime will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Governor Risch.  “Those individuals convicted will be sent to prison out of state, breaking the ties to their local gangs.”

The Treasure Valley Partnership, a coalition of local officials will provide $75,000 for salary and benefits of the new position.  The State will kick in another $25,000 of the salary from the Attorney General’s office.

Owyhee County Prosecutor Matthew Faulks is currently in the process of hiring the new attorney.  The position will be housed in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boise and they will provide additional training and resources for the attorney.

Nampa Mayor Tom Dale said that cooperation between the different levels of government will make a difference.  “We absolutely must work together to break the cycle of gang affiliation.  The way gangs grow is by claiming more area.  This is an issue that must be confronted head on through law enforcement, the judiciary and the community,” said Dale.

It is anticipated that the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney will begin work in mid-January 2007.

In the last legislative session the Idaho Legislature passed Senate Bill 1336 to enhance anti-gang laws.  The bill increased the prison sentences for gang members who commit any of 21 crimes contained in the bill.  The legislation made recruitment of gang members a felony punishable up to 10 years in prison and made it a felony for supplying firearms to a known gang member.

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