Are there any plausible solutions to gang violence?
MO: If there is a solution, it would be because they are just kids. They get into it so young. There’s no social outlet for people in that lower strata. If those kids had some of the opportunities that wealthier kids have, it’s not like it’s going to solve the situation; but the more opportunities that are given, the less chance they will go into gangs. They don’t want to be gang members; it’s really just a survival instinct. They have nothing and it’s like a pressure cooker in there. Everyone is just trying to survive and have enough money to eat. They watch television and see all of this wealth but they don’t even have the basic needs. Parents can’t give that to their children, so the kids are trying to get it. It becomes a survival mechanism to join up into groups for protection and to get the things that everyone in our society desires. If there is a solution, it would be putting more money into social programs; getting other opportunities into the hands of those kids. Otherwise, I
