Comstock urges more funding to counter gang activity

U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) recently issued a request for House appropriators to provide as much funding as possible to help combat a surge in gang activity.

Comstock requested increased funding for the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs and the State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Programs to crackdown on MS-13, an international gang that originated in Los Angeles.

“In my district, which encompasses much of Northern Virginia, the gang known as MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha), continues to expand its influence in the United States,” Comstock wrote. “FBI Investigations show that MS-13 is present in almost every state across the U.S. and continues to grow its members, now targeting younger recruits more than ever.”

The increase in MS-13 gang activity in Northern Virginia has led to an increase in gang-related murders in Fairfax and Prince William counties, Comstock said in a statement accompanying the letter.

“It has been reported that MS-13 is recruiting children starting in the fifth grade,” Comstock continued. “MS-13 also participates in human trafficking, specifically targeting young girls in our communities. Our local law enforcement agencies are on the front lines every day combating gang activity and the federal government must do all it can to provide them more resources so they can effectively do their jobs and, ultimately, eliminate gangs like MS-13.”

Additionally, Comstock noted, there were 796 recorded murders in Chicago in 2016, a 57 percent increase from 2015, and Los Angeles saw its year-over homicide total increase for the third year in a row.

“While the FBI is doing a good job of coordinating intelligence efforts and undertaking federal law enforcement actions, more federal resources are needed for our state and local law enforcement officers who are dealing with this violence and crime every day,” Comstock wrote.