Asheville Pastor Calls for Gang-Prevention Program Amid Rising Violence

An Asheville pastor, who claims to have had gang affiliations in his youth, expressed to Fox News Digital his frustration regarding city leaders’ neglect of his long-standing proposal for a youth gang-prevention program. This comes in light of recent violent incidents that have shaken the North Carolina tourist destination.

Dr. Ronald Gates initially introduced his program idea to Asheville officials back in 2016, advocating for early intervention aimed at helping children who might fall victim to gang influence and associated violence.

Recent retaliatory shootings in the city, resulting in two fatalities and several injuries, have intensified discussions around violence. However, city officials have refrained from labeling these acts as gang-related, instead framing them as retaliations among friends.

Gates argues that this perspective overlooks a more significant issue at play. “They did not want to actually acknowledge that it was gang activity,” he remarked, concerned that city leaders are downplaying the seriousness of the situation.

As the senior pastor of Greater Works Church of God in Christ and a chaplain for the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, Gates has taken on the role of a community advocate. He’s particularly alarmed by the vulnerability of young people to join gangs due to factors like financial need or a longing for belonging.

His program, titled Gang Free, is based on a Los Angeles initiative designed to educate children in grades four to six about gang recruitment tactics and the risks associated with involvement in such groups.

Gates had discovered this program during a trip to California in 2016 and was determined to replicate its impact in Asheville. “I said, ‘Man, I’ve got to bring this back to Asheville, North Carolina,’” he recalled.

Over the ten years since, he’s brought his proposal to various city officials, pleading for a trial run even if just for a year.

He questions why the city hasn’t invested in such an initiative, even temporarily, to assess its effectiveness locally. The program aims to teach kids how gangs function, including identifying signs and understanding the manipulative roles older gang members can play.

Yet, Gates emphasizes that education alone won’t suffice. He believes prevention efforts must also provide youth with alternatives to the appeal of gangs, which can sometimes offer money and status.

“These young men want to help provide for their single mom or their family,” Gates noted. “Any money that they can hustle up, they feel like they’re doing something or doing their part.”

The proposed program would involve collaboration among law enforcement, mentors, and local business leaders, directly connecting with children in their communities. It would encompass gang-prevention education alongside mentorship and exposure to entrepreneurship.

Gates has a personal stake in the matter; having grown up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he once had ties to gangs but managed to steer clear of deeper involvement thanks to family support and sports.

Reflecting on how his own experiences shape his views, he emphasizes the importance of early intervention to divert youth from gang life. He points out that many young people without stable role models can easily find themselves influenced by older gang members, who often exploit their need for guidance.

He reflects on how different things might be if these youths had access to better opportunities, voicing a concern for those caught in the recent violence: “If they would have had the opportunity, a different path, a different choice… could they still be here today?”

Gates recalls being told in 2016 that Asheville lacked sufficient gang activity to justify his proposal. He cautioned then that the city should act preemptively to avoid a more serious escalation in violence.

“I said, ‘Give it two years,’” he explained, noting that two years later, violent crime has indeed increased significantly in Asheville.

Gates pointed out that recent statistics show a 42% rise in violent crime in Asheville from 2016 to 2024, with aggravated assaults notably increasing with some categories of crime decreasing.

In conversations with city officials, Gates insists he is not suggesting that every violent incident is gang-related. Still, he argues against waiting for formal designations before taking action to help youth stuck in cycles of violence.

He emphasizes that understanding the motivations behind violent disputes is essential. “You have personal disputes,” he said, explaining that underlying motives often involve a desire for revenge after a loss.

For city leaders, it’s a complex issue. Gates argues that the focus should not only be on labeling crimes but also on ensuring that young people have the means to avoid paths leading to violence or incarceration.

Ultimately, it’s about practical support and intervention, long before any violent encounters arise. “The prevention, it works if you put it out there,” he concluded.

His hope is that before anyone considers retaliation, they consult with a trusted adult to weigh the real implications of their choices. “Is it even worth retaliating?” he questions. “Is it worth losing my life or going to prison for the rest of my life? Let’s use common sense,” he urges, emphasizing the need to assess the genuine costs involved.