By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – McLean County’s new state’s attorney said local law enforcement might have to think out-of-the-box to combat gang violence.
Three shootings in the Twin-Cities since late April claimed seven lives and seriously wounded a four-year old boy, but authorities have declined to say whether the crimes were gang related.
State’s Attorney Don Knapp said the justice system needs to lock up people who use guns to settle disputes. If that doesn’t stop the violence, Knapp is willing to consider civil action seeking injunctions in which gang members would be ordered to stay away from each other. That, according to Knapp, could lead to criminal action.
“Once you get that court order, then you can go to court if they are found hanging around each other, you can go to court and charge them with the actual crime of unlawful participation in a street gang.”
Knapp said suing gang members had been explored before in McLean County, and it’s worked well in larger counties. He’s not sure how well it would work here.
Knapp made his comments a week ago when he and other state’s attorney candidates appeared before the county board’s executive committee.
Knapp replaces Jason Chambers, who was sworn-in Tuesday as a circuit judge.
