Correction: In a photo that accompanied the print edition of this story, a caption failed to note that while David Allen Falls has been charged with shooting and killing Kebret Tekle, he hasn’t been convicted of the crime. The State Hornet apologizes for the error. Contact the online managing editor for corrections by e-mailing [email protected].

A ballot initiative being considered for California’s November 2008 election would provide additional funding for law enforcement agencies, increase penalties for gang members and methamphetamine dealers, create a statewide gang registry and establish rehabilitation programs.

The Safe Neighborhoods Act was introduced by Mike Reynolds, author of the state’s Three Strikes law, which mandates a life sentence for people convicted of three crimes or more, along with Sen. George Runner (R-Antelope Valley), Assemblywoman Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster), and San Bernardino County Supervisor Gary Ovitt.

“Law-abiding citizens have had it with rampant gang violence in their communities,” Runner said in a press release. “It’s time to restore peace and take back our neighborhoods…this measure has the ingredients (to) do just that.”

University Police Sgt. Kelly Clark said gang activity is not a major concern at Sacramento State.

“I think that if you wander around, (you won’t see) a whole lot of graffiti or gang tags,” Clark said. “We don’t really have that big of a problem here…though it is a concern.”

While gang activity is not a problem on the Sac State campus, it does affect members of the community.

Sac State student Kebret Tekle, a sophomore and member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, was killed in a gang-related shooting near campus in May.

In May, the Hornet reported that David Allen Falls, who was charged with the shooting, was known to have connections to gang violence.

Under the proposed law, perpetrators and accomplices in crimes like Tekle’s killing would be subject to stiffer penalties.

The law would also allow for additional types of witness testimony to be used in prosecuting gang crime, including sworn statements by witnesses who have died or who are unavailable to appear in court due to intimidation.

Another provision would increase the penalties for methamphetamine users and dealers to the same level as those for cocaine.

The ballot has been submitted to Attorney General Jerry Brown’s office to be reviewed for “title and summary.”

Once approved, the ballot initiative will need 433,971 signatures by April to appear on the ballot next November.

Avi Ehrlich can be reached at [email protected].