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State Lawmakers Push For More Anti-Gang Funding

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Lawmakers and community leaders meeting Tuesday at the state Capitol say more funding is needed to combat growing gang violence.

There have been 42 homicides in Oklahoma City in 2006, about one-quarter of which have been attributed to gang activity.

Police Chief Bill Citty says gangs are becoming more violent as they fight for turf and get into disputes.

State Representative Mike Shelton says that the Legislature has provided about a million dollars for gang-intervention programs over the last several years and much more money is needed.

There were more than 150 drive-by shootings in Oklahoma City in the first six months of 2006, compared to 129 for all of 2003.