Ramsey County Sheriff warns Somali gang surge could create centuries-long crisis
Sheriff Bob Fletcher cautioned that without decisive action on Somali gang activity, the area may face a lasting problem similar to trends in Europe, and urged a regional task force to target gang leaders.
In a segment of “Elizabeth Vargas Reports,” Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher warned that failure to curb Somali gang activity could create a persistent problem comparable to situations observed in parts of Europe. He estimated that out of a Somali population of 100,000, about 300 individuals are involved in troublemaking, and highlighted roughly 50 who act as de facto leaders by carrying firearms. Fletcher advocated for federal RICO indictments against half of these leaders and county-level charges for the remainder, stressing the need for a regional task force to compile the necessary evidence. He noted that such a unit can coordinate information to support racketeering prosecutions and emphasized immediate action to prevent a lasting legacy of violence.
