Ex-311 Boyz to address event

At one of tonight's National Night Out events, which are organized to bring communities and law enforcement together, two of the speakers are people who once were considered dangerous.

Anthony and Brandon Gallion were arrested in 2003 along with other members of a group known as the 311 Boyz and charged with attacking a group of teens trying to leave a party, maiming one.

Since then, they've formed a nonprofit -- Teens at Risk Get Educated Today, or TARGET -- aimed at teaching young people to steer clear of violence and drugs. They'll be speaking in downtown Las Vegas for the annual crime prevention event.

They usually talk to students and educators, but they decided Night Out fit as well.

"We talk about choices and consequences, peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, gangs, party crews and how every choice has a consequence," Anthony Gallion said. "We offer a bridge between adults and teenagers today."

This is the 25th year for National Night Out, which was started by the National Association of Town Watch to build bridges between communities and law enforcement.

Events will vary. Las Vegas' locations will have self-defense demonstrations and, at Vistas Park, free document shredding.

North Las Vegas is handing out free hot dogs and ice cream, and visitors can try to soak police officers in a dunk tank. Henderson will have free food as well, along with police, fire and crime prevention demonstrations.

The events do help, the Gallion brothers say, by letting people know that alternatives and resources are available.

"With us, there was a lot of stupidity. There were a lot of bad choices," Anthony Gallion said. "That's why we do what we do -- so people don't try to outdo what we did."

The charges against Anthony were eventually dropped, and his twin brother pleaded guilty to battery. The case gained widespread notoriety because the group was linked to a series of beatings in upscale areas of town.

Now 21, the brothers are in college and trying to expand the audience for their nonprofit. So far, they've spoken to 5,000 students and 1,500 educators.

"We don't tell kids what to do," Brandon Gallion said. "We give them their choices and say, 'If you make these choices, this is where your life's going to head.'

"There is a better place out there. You have to strive for it. If you get knocked down, you just have to get back up."

Contact reporter Alan Choate at achoate@reviewjournal.com or 702-229-6435.