In a compelling letter to the editor, Kelli Coombs highlights the pervasive influence of gang leaders on youth and the urgent need for government intervention to address this societal crisis. Coombs reflects on her 2016 article, ‘Gold, girls and guns,’ where a 13-year-old boy aspired to become a gang leader, citing the allure of wealth, power, and societal validation. This aspiration, she argues, is fueled by the legitimization of gang leaders through government contracts, which sends a dangerous message to impressionable children.
Coombs recounts numerous interactions with young individuals who committed crimes under duress from gang leaders, often referred to as ‘the boss.’ These leaders, she notes, wield immense power in their communities, acting as law enforcers, judges, and executioners. One harrowing account involves a young man forced to kill his best friend after a gang leader threatened his mother’s life.
The author criticizes the government’s historical practice of awarding contracts to gang leaders, which perpetuates a cycle of violence and criminality. She calls for immediate action, including audits of HDC apartments to remove unauthorized residents, frequent roadblocks in gang-prone areas, and bolder measures from the Homeland Security Ministry. Coombs emphasizes the importance of protecting children and ensuring they can grow up free from the influence of gang culture.
Her letter concludes with a plea for the government to leverage its authority to dismantle gang networks and create safer communities for future generations.