"The Pilot Light" (June 29) reported that "the NAACP of North Carolina has expressed opposition to some provisions of the anti-gang bill awaiting Gov. Easley's signature. The NAACP objected to the bill's emphasis on punishment with less emphasis on prevention."

The NAACP added that the bill will have "a disproportionate impact on African American and Hispanic young people," and that the bill " channels our scarce resources into building prisons."

Having investigated and arrested gang members in the Los Angeles area for over 35 years, I can assure you that strong law enforcement measures, coupled with lengthy sentences for gang members, will result in less crime and a safer North Carolina for law-abiding citizens.

One of the most important jobs of government is to assure the safety of the citizens it represents. Prevention programs have been a money grab from our government coffers by minority liberal organizations in order to enhance their power within their base while perpetuating the status quo.

The gang problem in California has worsened in spite of government-backed prevention programs.

As for the statement that the bill will have "a disproportionate impact on African American and Hispanic young people," such impact is based on the fact that African Americans and Hispanics are the majority among young people involved in gang activity.

It seems to me the NAACP could better serve their community by stressing responsibility, work ethic, families with two parents, addressing the big problem of black-on-black crime and leading the African American and Hispanic communities away from the welfare mentality that has had such a detrimental impact in those communities.

Strong law enforcement and successful prosecutions, not other programs, will segregate the criminal element from the rest of society and make North Carolina safer for us all.

Tony Alvarez, Pinehurst