Cactus Village Community

EXPANDING VICTIM’S RIGHTS For Neighborhoods — HB 2482

Jul 07, 2003

Expanding The Law

Since 1997, the law has been used in Phoenix neighborhoods to get drugs, prostitution and chop shops out. However, the law hasn?’t been as effective at dealing with gang activity. there have been calls to add two more crimes to the list of those which neighborhoods are entitled to ?‘victim?’s rights: graffiti and shooting at occupied houses.

These gang-related activities harm the safety and property values of the entire neighborhood in which they are committed. The City of Phoenix 2000 Community Attitude survey showed that graffiti is re-emerging as a major problem (graffiti has been identified as a precursor to gang activity). Neighborhood residents deserve to be informed and involved in the process for these crimes, just as they are for drugs and prostitution. Giving Associations victim?’s rights would help get and keep gangs out of our neighborhoods.

Provisions

The neighborhood Victim?’s Rights Bill would add graffiti (13-1602.A5) and discharging a firearm at a residential structure to further the interests of a criminal street gang (13-3 102.A9) to the list of crimes fur which a registered neighborhood association is entitled to Victim?’s Rights. Opinion? Contact Norris Norfvold, Phoenix Intergovernmental Programs Director at (602) 256-4257...☺