Asheville Pastor Says City Ignored 10-Year Gang Plan After 2 Deaths and 7 Injuries
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 30
Asheville Pastor Says City Ignored 10-Year Gang Plan After 2 Deaths and 7 Injuries
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 30
Summary
Dr. Ronald Gates said Asheville leaders brushed aside his youth gang-prevention proposal since 2016, even after retaliatory shootings recently killed two people and wounded seven.
The pastor said officials resisted labeling the violence as gang activity and missed years of chances to intervene before retaliation and recruitment became more entrenched.
Gates’ plan, modeled on a Los Angeles program for grades 4 through 6, would pair gang-awareness lessons with mentors, police involvement, business exposure and stipends for legal work.
State data showed Asheville’s violent crime in 2024 was 42% higher than in 2016, driven largely by aggravated assaults rising to 558 from 335, though the overall crime index fell 8%.
Drawing on his own youth gang ties in Michigan, Gates argued prevention must start before arrests or shootings, especially for children seeking money, protection or belonging.