LETTER: We need to fight gang activity

This letter is to express my concern over the heightened

reporting of gang activity in Fremont. This is Fremont, Neb., not Chicago, New York City or Los Angeles.

This disturbs me greatly, as I’m sure it does you.

I had lived in the Minneapolis area for many years and heard and dealt with gang activity nightly on the news. I definitely didn’t think I’d hear about it here in my community, but we do, sadly.

We are currently in danger of losing funding for our III-CORPS Drug Task Force on a yearly basis. Always begging for it. Being that I am running for city council in Ward 3, I am making it a priority to make sure we do not lose out on law enforcement funding or (see a) personnel reduction.

It sickens me to read a story about a young high school teen being threatened by scum like the "Esco 13" gang. Like most gangs, this is a bunch of kids, with no parental figures, trying to make a name for themselves at the expense of others.

We need to fight this as a community and make sure that both our law enforcement and fire departments are sufficiently funded and equipped with personnel and equipment. As a city council member, I will do all I can to achieve this.

This is an awesome community and I want to do everything I can to better it.

Chris Maki is a candidate for the Ward 3 seat on the Fremont City Council.