Assemblyman Brian P. Stack

STACK SEEKS TO COMBAT 'WOLF PACK' RAMPAGES
Says State Needs Tougher Measures against Street Gangs

(UNION CITY) - Calling the recent rash of "wolf pack" attacks in Jersey City "appalling and unacceptable," Assemblyman Brian P. Stack today called for enactment of legislation that would give police new tools to fight criminal street gangs across the state.

In particular, Stack (D-Union City) said the Legislature needs to complete work on a measure that would enable law enforcement authorities to shield crime-scene witnesses from intimidation and threats by criminal street gangs.  The measure is part of a sweeping 17-bill anti-gang initiative that the General Assembly passed last year.

"Intimidation and the threat of reprisal are the tools that street gangs use to keep themselves from being identified by witnesses," said Stack.  "As good as police have been in fighting the street gang menace, current laws are making it harder for them to bring some of the thugs to justice."

Stack said it is imperative that members of critical street gangs be deprived of the easy ability to obtain identify information about crime-scene witnesses who testify or submit evidence to a grand jury.

Such a measure (A-2989) would bar the disclosure of all personal identifying information save the name of a witness testifying or submitting evidence to a grand jury.  Attorneys would still have access to the redacted information; however, any attorney who purposely, knowingly, or recklessly discloses that information could face up to 18 months in jail and $10,000 in fines.

Stack called for enactment of the measure - and all remaining elements of the 17-bill anti-gang package - in response to a series of "wolf pack" attacks in Jersey City.  According to Tuesday's Jersey Journal, a wolf pack consisting of 30 to 40 people individually assaulted three young men in the span of an hour late last Friday.  The police have blamed these wolf packs for upwards of 20 attacks a week, however residents and victims have been hesitant to speak out for fear of retaliatory attacks.

Stack said similar fears are keeping witnesses to murder and violent crime silent in Trenton, Essex and across the rest of the state.

"Throughout New Jersey, gangs are employing witness-intimidation techniques to prolong their crime sprees and keep law abiding residents cowed," said Stack, who also is the mayor of Union City.  "If we are going to catch gang members who continue to use violence as a weapon, a status symbol, and as currency, law enforcement officials need to have all the tools available to ensure witnesses to violent crimes can be kept from harm."

Stack said the continued escalation in gang violence across New Jersey shows a concrete need for local, county, and statewide officials to work together to pass legislation mandating information redaction in gang and violent crime cases.

"A concerted effort will ensure that witnesses who choose to testify in violent crime cases remain safe and are not endangered by a piecemeal approach to witness protection," said Stack.  "The public has a right to expect they will remain safe when they choose to come forward and help put gang members behind bars."

Stack said the recent published reports should help raise awareness of why the witness protection legislation and other anti-gang measures should become law.

"We have a unique opportunity to protect people who want to do the right thing by reporting crimes and attacks," said Stack.  "Ensuring private information does not fall into the wrong hands will go a long way toward that goal."

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