Chattanooga Mayor Ron LittlefieldNASHVILLE – Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield says critics of his anti-gang legislation in the General Assembly shouldn’t ignore the second half of his comprehensive approach to addressing youth violence.
“The strength of this [legislation] is that it removes the worst of the worst,” the mayor said. “But we also want to save and salvage all of the young people and keep them from getting into gangs.”
It’s a “dual course,” he said.
“Already, we’re talking about the outreach,” said Littlefield, who was at the state Capitol last week to observe developments on the legislation.
In recent days two black lawmakers from Chattanooga have questioned Littlefield’s approach with the anti-gang bills, one of which would use the state’s existing Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act to give criminal gang leaders more prison time.