Question

a virginia community is dealing with an increase of gang violence in their streets. police officers, educators, and community members decide to take action.

they review this statute before making a decision.
virginia code § 18.2-46.3:3 establishes gang - free school zones in which there are enhanced penalties for gang participation and recruitment. the zones include school property, public property within 1,000 feet of school property, and school buses.
which actions could leaders take in accordance with this law? check all that apply.

• increase the penalties for offenses committed by gang members in a school zone
• arrest high school students who encourage fellow students to join a gang
• target the economic impact a community experiences from gang violence
• reduce the level of funding used to prevent gang violence in certain areas
• increase the penalties for students wearing gang colors or symbols at school

Explanation:

1. For "increase the penalties for offenses committed by gang members in a school zone": The statute has enhanced penalties for gang activity in school zones, so this aligns.
2. For "arrest high school students who encourage fellow students to join a gang": Encouraging gang recruitment in school (covered by the statute's gang participation/recruitment in school zones) justifies arrest.
3. For "target the economic impact a community experiences from gang violence": The statute focuses on school - zone gang activity, not economic impact, so this does not align.
4. For "reduce the level of funding used to prevent gang violence in certain areas": The statute is about penalties, not reducing prevention funding, so this does not align.
5. For "increase the penalties for students wearing gang colors or symbols at school": Wearing gang symbols/colors at school can be seen as gang participation/recruitment - related in the school zone, so this aligns.

Answer:

A. increase the penalties for offenses committed by gang members in a school zone
B. arrest high school students who encourage fellow students to join a gang
E. increase the penalties for students wearing gang colors or symbols at school