(The Center Square) – Prevention of violent crime, protection of the most vulnerable and stronger tools for lawmen and prosecutors are in Jaleeyah’s Law, a crackdown on gang violence signed into North Carolina law by the governor.
The legislation, known also as House Bill 1173, toughens laws against firearm possession by criminal gang members; toughens penalties for recruiting minors into gangs; increases punishment for gang-related crimes; and offers stronger tools to break up gangs and target organized criminal activity. It was one of four bills signed by first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein late Monday.
Jaleeyah Tune of Goldsboro was shot and killed Dec. 21 in what prosecutors say is a case involving an ambush-style shooting by teenagers believed to have gang ties in the Wayne County community. Tune was walking home with her sister when it happened.
Goldsboro police charged three teenage boys with first-degree murder and felony conspiracy in connection with the shooting. Because the suspects are juveniles, their names have not been released.
“We must address the root causes of gang violence by giving young people a better path, and we must crack down on gang activity to protect innocent North Carolinians,” Stein said. “I thank Representative John Bell for his leadership and the Tune Family for their strength.”
Other legislation signed by Stein include Improve IVC Process and Enhance Public Safety (House Bill 1104); Parking Lot Reform/Stormwater Control (House Bill 162); and Public Workforce Modernization Act (Senate Bill 1041).
The mental health legislation is considered instrumental to improvement through more studies, use of telehealth in jails, mobile crisis units, training for involuntary commitment examiners and sharing data. Stein was critical of the state budget in his comments, saying there is not enough support for the goals of HB1104.
