Gang Awareness and Issues PWC Neighborhood Services Neighborhood Conference 22 February, 2014 What We Will Cover Gang data Main PW Gangs Why they join Gang mentality Indicators Current trends Some things you can do Definition of a gang 3 or more Have a common identity: identifiable sign, symbol, name Ongoing Some connection to crime Some Data 1.4 million active street, prison and OMG members (National Gang Intel. Center- 2011 Nat. Gang Threat Assessment) 33,000 gangs 1,100 in PWC PD gang data base – 1,500 700-1,500 MS 13 in Northern Virginia 3,000 MS in DC Metro Area Main PW Gangs- 2013 Southside Locos (SSL) Sur 13 MS 13 (Mara Salvatrucha) 18th Street Bloods – 55 MOB, Killa Hill, Dub-T Hunnies, 202 MOB Crips Locos Malditos Black Heart Mafia Brown Pride Mafia La Clica Original ( LCO-PPL) Gangster Disciples Folk Nation??? Active PWC Gangs, Cliques & Sets 420 Crazy Crew Team Live 41 Zone New East Coast Hot Boi Nation Alpha C4 Dub T Dub T Little Dub T Dub T Hunnies Associated cliques BOE Savage 55WT FOE Town Stack Boys Current Trends Increasing engagement in nontraditional gang related crime Human trafficking Prostitution White collar crime • Counterfeiting • Identity theft • Mortgage fraud Current trends Less emphasis on openly representing the gang in public More emphasis on making money More emphasis on putting in work Rival gangs cooperating to make money MDTO connections/ increased violence“Current gang scene here is about money, drugs, and how not to be seen” CGIA meeting, 3/13/2013 Why Kids Join Gangs To belong to a group and have fun and excitement Identity and sense of belonging Structure, Discipline, Reputation Source of respect, acceptance Peer pressure “My friends are in a gang” Financial gain Protection Born into Gang Membership Provides Positive reinforcement, and a sense of belonging, direction and degree of self-confidence The Push Toward Gangs Self- Recruitment Popular Culture – The “Cool Factor” Early 90’s, gang culture replaced youth culture A product of the American streets The Push Toward Gangs Mother to 10 year old, “Do you know what gangs do? 10 year old, “They shoot and beat people up.” Mother, “So why do kids join gangs?” 10year old, “Because its cool!” “Running from something, running toward something” Gang Mentality Three R’s Reputation Respect Revenge