Lawmakers call for gang prevention funding for rural areas like Lawton

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Two state lawmakers are calling for more gang prevention funding for rural areas following a large gang fight in Lawton. <br/><br/>The fight occurred July 28th and involved almost 100

Tuesday, August 9th 2005, 6:31 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Two state lawmakers are calling for more gang prevention funding for rural areas following a large gang fight in Lawton.

The fight occurred July 28th and involved almost 100 people from rival gangs who fought each other with sticks, pipes and baseball bats.

Police arrested eight people, including a juvenile who pointed a firearm at others in the crowd.

State Representatives Joe Dorman and Don Armes say the Legislature has ignored gang violence in rural areas for too long. Lawmakers have distributed almost all funding for gang violence programs to Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Yhey say the Lawton fight justified more money for smaller cities.

This year, the Legislature appropriated $1.1 million dollars for gang prevention in Oklahoma.