Gov. Mark Sanford has declined a local leader’s request to call a statewide summit on gang and youth violence.

In a Sept. 23 letter, Preston Winkler, executive director of the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council asked Sanford to hold a statewide meeting on the matter.

“Recent incidents involving young people have shown that our communities, rural and urban, are not immune to the ‘big city’ problems,” Winkler wrote.

Gang violence is a problem in some geographic areas, but it may not be a statewide problem, Sanford spokesman Will Folks said this week.

“It’s probably not something the governor is inclined to call for at this time,” Folks said.

After talking with the governor’s office, Winkler, who leads a monthly discussion on ideas to curb gang and youth violence, said he will meet with other community groups around the state and share ideas instead.

“It’s a beginning,” Winkler said.In his letter to the governor, he said he hoped the meeting would foster ideas for tackling the issue.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott supports Winkler’s request.

“(Other parts of the state are) dealing with the same problems we’re dealing with in Richland County,” Lott said.

His department tracks hundreds of youths with gang ties. Lott said law enforcement agencies already pool resources and share investigative information.

Gang violence has flared in Columbia in recent months, the most recent incident being the October shooting death of 14-year-old Robert Lee Morris Jr. outside the State Fair. Morris was not the intended victim of the shooting, but police said gang members were present in the area.

Also, in late August, two teenagers were mistakenly shot outside a north Columbia home by a gang member looking for rival gang members.

Arrests have been made in both shootings.

Folks said the state’s role is to complement local efforts in addressing gang and youth violence. One such effort is through the State Law Enforcement Division.

He said it is up to the state to provide opportunities that reduce crime, such as jobs and other economic activity.

A representative from the governor’s office is expected to take part in the monthly meetings, Folks said.

Reach Gonzales at (803) 771-8405 or jgonzales@thestate.com.