Mayor Makes "Criminal" Street Activity A Misdemeanor

[Lucinda F. Boyd]

Mayor Makes ‘Criminal’ Street Activity ‘A’ Misdemeanor by Brooklyn Eagle ([e-mail]), published online 03-03-2010

NEW YORK — Those who engage in “criminal street gang initiation activity” can be charged with a class A misdemeanor, after Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed a bill this week causing the legislative change. “There are many ways in which routine gang activity can threaten communities. Among other harms, gangs spread their influence, along with fear and intimidation, through initiation exercises,” Bloomberg said Tuesday. “[The bill] targets this activity by creating a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine or up to $1,000, for engaging in criminal street gang initiation activity.” A person may be guilty of criminal street gang initiation activity if, whether in the course of his own or another person’s initiation or affiliation with a gang, he intentionally and recklessly engages in activity that creates a substantial risk of physical injury to another person, or causes another person to fear death or serious physical injury. -—Ryan Thompson Brooklyn Daily Eagle