SACRAMENTO—Assemblywoman Caballero won unanimous support Tuesday from the Assembly Public Safety Committee for her measure that would create a misdemeanor penalty for any person who causes or induces a minor to become a member of a criminal street gang.  AB 1033 received bi-partisan support and will be considered next by the Assembly Appropriations Committee in the coming weeks.

“AB 1033 will provide another tool for law enforcement and the judicial system to combat the growing problem of gang violence,” Caballero said.  “Our communities need help and I’m committed to doing whatever I can to provide relief.  AB 1033 will send a strong message to gang members:  leave our children alone.”

AB 1033 is part of a larger effort that Assemblywoman Caballero is undertaking during her first legislative session in Sacramento.  Caballero has introduced several measures that seek to create a violence prevention “tool-kit” that cities and counties can use to address the problem of youth and gang violence. 

“In order to ensure that our communities remain safe from gang violence, we must empower our local governments, law enforcement agencies, and the judicial system,” Caballero said.  “Stopping gang recruiting at the entry level is critical to our success.  AB 1033 will prove to be a powerful tool in our ongoing efforts to keep our kids safe.

AB 1033 is sponsored by Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and is supported by the California District Attorneys Association, the California State Sheriffs’ Association, AFSCME, and the California Probation Officers of California.