An Asheville pastor who says he had ties to gangs in his youth has claimed that city leaders ignored his decade-long advocacy for a youth gang-prevention program. Dr. Ronald Gates stated that his proposals, beginning in 2016, aimed to steer young people away from crime and retaliatory violence, a problem he believes has intensified in the North Carolina tourist city.
Recent violence, including a string of shootings that left two dead and seven injured, has brought renewed attention to the issue. City officials have characterized the incidents as retaliation between groups of friends rather than explicitly gang-related activity. Gates, however, believes this distinction overlooks the underlying problem.
"They did not want to actually acknowledge that it was gang activity," Gates told Fox News Digital. "They wanted to make sure that they tried to whitewash the narrative as they’re saying that these are just retaliations between individuals."
Gates, who is also a Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office chaplain, proposed implementing a program similar to Los Angeles-based Gang Free. This program is designed for elementary school students, typically in grades four through six, to educate them about gang recruitment tactics and the consequences of involvement.
He first presented the idea to Asheville officials in 2016 after learning about the program during a trip to California. Over the years, Gates said he has approached mayors, city and county managers, and police chiefs with his proposal, advocating for at least a one-year trial.
His plan includes not only education on how gangs operate but also providing alternatives to the allure of money and belonging that gangs can offer. The proposed model involves law enforcement officers, mentors, and local business owners working directly with children. It would also incorporate educational support, mentorship, and exposure to entrepreneurship, with local businesses potentially offering paths to legal employment and the city providing stipends or similar opportunities.
Gates' personal history informs his conviction. Growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he had associations with the Vice Lords gang but credits his father, brother, and sports with helping him avoid deeper involvement. "I thank God that someone intervened," he said.
He recalled being told in 2016 that Asheville did not have significant gang activity to warrant such a program, a sentiment he countered by warning that violence would escalate. "I said, ‘Give it two years,’" Gates stated. "Two years to the year."
State data indicates that between 2016 and 2024, Asheville experienced a 42% increase in violent crimes, primarily driven by aggravated assaults, though overall crime saw a decrease. Violent crime figures in 2024 remained higher than in 2016, despite a drop from a peak in 2022.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Asheville officials for comment regarding Gates' claims about his repeated presentations of the prevention program and the city's response. Gates emphasized that while not all violent disputes may be gang-related, the city should not delay action until a formal gang label is applied, particularly when young people are caught in cycles of retaliation.
"You have personal disputes," Gates said. "But then the thrust behind it, the motivation behind it is because, ‘Look here, you spilled some blood. I’m going to spill some blood also.’ And that’s what it has come to."
He believes the focus should be on providing young people with opportunities to avoid paths leading to incarceration or death, emphasizing the need for practical support long before incidents occur.
"The prevention, it works if you put it out there," Gates asserted. His advice for those considering retaliation is to seek guidance from a trusted adult before making a decision that could have life-altering consequences.