Gangs Jeopardize 4th of July Tradition in Richfield

The Richfield City Manager rifled off a letter to the Mayor and full City Council suggesting they consider cancelling the city's Fourth of July Carnival.  In the letter the City Manager says there were nine identified gangs at this year's carnival, several assaults and two gang members were arrested for carrying guns. The letter also says there were 19 incidents requiring a response by police.

City Council member, Pat Elliott, tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the city needs to study the issue, but not do anything rash until all the details are known. Elliott says gang trouble is a metro-wide problem and not any one city is immune to the issue. The City Manager's letter indicates the gang members were not from Richfield, but came from other cities to this year's carnival.

Elliott says the carnival still has one year to go on its contract with the city. He says that gives the city plenty of time to talk with law enforcement and the community to figure out what is the best plan to proceed with in the future.

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