We must declare war on street gangs

Chicago, like other cities across America, is plagued by gang violence.

This violence has resulted in blocks, neighborhoods and sections of the city living in fear.

Fear of what? Fear of being shot by teenagers and young adults who are caught up in a culture that does not value life or property, values that are the underpinning of our society.

It should be obvious we are in a war that threatens the fabric of society and demands our full attention and all of our resources

The gangs kill, intimidate, sell drugs and control their turf.

And what do we as a society do? We beg them to stop the violence, to stop the killing and to put down their guns.

We march, we pray, we preach.

It is not working and will not work until we know the enemy we're fighting.

To know the enemy - and gang members are enemies of society - we must identify them.

We must do the following:

1. Stop coddling and protecting gang members.

2. Publish the names of the gangs the names of the leaders and the names of the members. We did this for organized crime.

Everyone in the neighborhood and the schools know who they are. They flaunt their identify by colors, tattoos, cocked hats and signs. Let the whole world know who they are.

If they are old enough to organize, establish and control turf through violence and fear, they deserve to be outed.

3. Police must find out where meetings are held and who leads the meetings. Leaders must be held accountable for crimes committed by their members

4. When a gang member is found with a gun; trace it to its source.

The above is designed to harass, put the heat on, and make it downright uncomfortable to be in a gang.

Ned L. McCray

Tinley Park