Dr. Ronald Gates Urges Asheville City Leaders to Adopt Early Youth Gang-Prevention Programs
Dr. Ronald Gates, a local pastor and community liaison, is urging Asheville city leaders to implement a youth gang-prevention program to address rising retaliatory violence. Gates first proposed the 'Gang Free' program in 2016, a model from Los Angeles designed to teach students in grades four through six how gangs recruit children and the consequences of them becoming involved. While city officials have characterized recent violent shootings as personal retaliations between friends rather than formal gang activity, Gates argues that the city has ignored the underlying gang dynamics for years. He believes early intervention is critical to provide children with alternatives to the money and status that make gangs attractive. His proposal includes mentorship from law enforcement and local business owners to teach children how to earn money legally. Gates emphasizes that the city should not wait for a formal gang label before acting to provide young people with practical support to avoid cycles of retaliation.