Contact: Nathan Smith/718.612.

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Francisco Moya Presents 6 Point Plan to Curb Gang Violence
Moya and Community Leaders Reclaim Local Street Corner and Denounce Recent Violence

Recognizing the recent surge in gang violence in Corona and other parts of the 39th Assembly district, Francisco
Moya today unveiled a six-point plan that he would pursue in the Assembly to reduce gang activity. Moya stood
with community leaders to denounce the recent surge in gang violence in Queens, announced his 6-point plan to
combat local gangs, and reclaimed a local street corner taken over by gangs by painting over gang graffiti. Last
Saturday’s murder of Jose Cortes in Corona demonstrated the need for renewed vigilance and action against gang
violence.

“Gang violence is a scourge on our neighborhoods,” said Moya. “To stop it, we have to support creative ways to
enforce the laws. We have to work together to keep our streets clean and safe. And we have to make sure
young people have safe alternatives to gang involvement. Today, I am proposing a six point plan that I believe
will be a first step to help reduce the violence.”

This is not the first time Francisco Moya has taken action to help reduce the impact of gangs in our
neighborhoods. As a teenager almost two decades ago, Francisco joined together with other concerned citizens
to form the Corona Gardens Neighborhood Association. The group helped to clean up Corona by having
residents work together on block patrols to keep gangs off the streets.

Francisco also knows the value of prevention when it comes to children and gangs. He helped start the after-
school program at St. Leo’s School in Corona to reach young people before they fall into the downward spiral of
gang activity. Francisco knows that after-school programs not only keep kids away from the influence of gangs,
but these programs can unlock real opportunities to succeed.

Francisco Moya was also the lead spokesperson and activist for the family of Jose Sucuzhanay after he was
fatally beaten in a hate crime attack in 2008.

Francisco’s anti-gang violence plan builds on this experience, and on proven tactics that have reduced criminal
gang activity in other neighborhoods: (Text of Full Plan on Next Page)
Enforcement: Prevention:
1. Increase funding for the Gang 4. Graffiti Removal
Crimes unit in Queens

2. “Shine a Light for Safety” Street 5. Community Centers/After-

Lights Expansion school Programs

3. Street Corner Cameras/Increased 6. Youth Mentoring Program

NYPD Foot Patrols

Francisco Moya has seen firsthand the negative impact gang violence can have on our community, and he has
worked throughout his life to do what he can to end that violence. As an Assemblyman, Francisco will work
every day to find new ways and creative solutions to this and to all the problems we face in our neighborhoods.
 MOYA SIX POINT PLAN FOR REDUCING GANG VIOLENCE

Enforcement:
1. Increase funding for the Gang Crimes unit in Queens – Queens is experiencing a dramatic
increase in gang violence, with NYC crimes rates for murders and shootings increasing by 22.8%
and 16.3%, respectively, just in the past year. Unfortunately, city government is continuing to
reduce funding for the NYPD, including anti-gang efforts. We need the state to restore aid to NYC to
fairer levels, and specifically increase funding for anti-gang programs. This is a smart investment,
and unchecked gang activity creates an increasing cycle of criminal activity, which ultimately harms
entire neighborhoods and communities.

2. “Shine a Light for Safety” Street Lights Expansion – Far too many of our streets do not
have adequate lighting. This encourages gang activity, and has led to an increase in rapes
and other crimes against women in our community. Under the Shine a Light for Safety program,
New York would triple the number of streetlamps on any block which gang activity or violent crime
is more that 30% higher than elsewhere in the community, with large flood-lamps and street
cameras on the corners of such blocks.

3. Street Corner Cameras/Increased NYPD Foot Patrols - Ever since Mayor Dinkins
established the Safe Streets/Safe City program that preceded NYC’s historic drop in crime, it has
been well established that more police on foot in the community is a key deterrent to gang activity
and its related crimes. Francisco Moya will work with local precincts to increase the use of foot
patrols in high gang-activity areas. Moya will also sponsor a monthly “Know Your Heroes in Blue”
day--each month he will introduce a community police officer to kids in grade school so they can
recognize their local officers and be comfortable talking to them when they see potential gang
activity.

Prevention:
4. Graffiti Removal – Gangs communicate and establish territory by the defacing of property
through Graffiti. By reclaiming our streets and walls, the community can send a clear message of
zero tolerance to any and all Gang activity. As our Assemblymember, Francisco Moya will sponsor
monthly graffiti clean up days, involving local organizations, volunteers, churches, schools, parents
and police. Each month (or more frequently if needed) high-graffiti areas will be cleaned up or
painted over to remove the potential for gang symbols and communication.

5. Community Centers/After-school Programs - Currently there is not a single community

center for the children of Corona to seek as a safe space from gang activity, and after-school
programs have been slashed or eliminated throughout the district. For single-parent families and
families in which both parents work, denying children a safe place to engage in productive activities
leaves them vulnerable to gang recruiters and gang violence. The Moya Anti-Gang Initiative will help
schools and other community facilities develop safe spaces for children and families to take part in
productive alternatives to gang membership.

6. Youth Mentoring Program - New York State needs to establish a school-based peer-
mentoring program (a mentoring club) for high school youth in communities with a high incidence or
likelihood of gang activity. Mentors are adolescents already acclimated to high school and the
surrounding community, who serve as peer mentors to new students and incoming ninth graders.
Identified by school staff, these incoming students are recruited to join this afterschool program.