Growing concerns for the resent gang activity

[Detector]

We know we've had a gang problem for some time but recently it seems things are getting out of hand.

Over the weekend it seems everyday I heard at least 1 shots fired call to the ally between 2nd and 3rd near Ash. I've more than once driven by to see 8-10 kids dressed in either all red or all blue walking down the streets. It seems to me these punks are getting extremely bold.

I like to ask our resident officers what we can do to help curb this ever growing gang problem? Open season maybe?

[lurker]

Stalking gangbangers isn't cost effective; besides that, harassing mexican juvies because of what they wear is profiling....

Shouldn't we let them 'express themselves' in order to let them growup normal?

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by lurker

Stalking gangbangers isn't cost effective;....

True, but neither is any sport hunting.

I vote for open season.

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by Detector

We know we've had a gang problem for some time but recently it seems things are getting out of hand. Any gang problem means it is out of hand. To me there isn't a line of what is acceptable and "out of hand".

Over the weekend it seems everyday I heard at least 1 shots fired call to the ally between 2nd and 3rd near Ash. I've more than once driven by to see 8-10 kids dressed in either all red or all blue walking down the streets. It seems to me these punks are getting extremely bold. Even though we know what gangs do and such it's not a crime to walk down the street wearing colors. What if me and 3 or 4 of my buddies come to the mall all wearing Chiefs jersery's...? I understand your point. These gang members do need to be kept under a watchful eye.

I like to ask our resident officers what we can do to help curb this ever growing gang problem? The DCP is overworked and understaffed. I think they should have a program to educate citizens on gangs and have the citizens know what to look for and call in suspicious activity...(beyond some guys wearing red shirts walking down the street)Open season maybe?

It's a problem that will take people working together, communicating and being strong to solve....

[TexKan]

Everyone is too worried about inhaling 2nd hand smoke and the violation on thier lungs to worry bout gangbangers invading your nieghborhood and shootin stray bullets by your house.

Now we all know that statement is not true....... but it certainly kinda shows ya where the priorities are don't it? Why can't you have a banger free niegborhood? Post signs and call the task force when groups of kids in a color show up. Certainly there is some thing about loitering and perhaps a cerfew........ When my DIL patroled she knew all the bangers but they didn't wear thier colors in front of her. I was ridin along and she stopped a kid and reminded him to tuck his hankie back in his pocket (around his lower thigh) and he politely said "sorry officer collins!".... so maybe instead of being angry or scared - go out see who they are find out thier names - eventually they will move on down to the park or sumthin but often times they are more worried bout you than you are them. Your not gonna eliminate or adopt the banger. At least you will know who they are and perhaps they will take thier activity elsewhere. Never hurts to know your foe. Kids don't realize that...use thier anger to your advantage. They want to induce fear - makes em look good - turn the tables and play thier game by changing the rules. Can't hurt to try - cause truth is............... Priorities are so spread out that the cops are never gonna be able to be everywhere all the time.

[WizardofOz]

With gangs, there are basically three components that a gang is about: 1. Respect 2. Reputation 3. Retaliation.

The respect the gangs think they are getting from the community when they start shooting up the neighborhood or damaging property is false. They are hoping their actions will make people fear them which in their minds translates to respect. Most cases the response is anger....which is in conflict with respect. You can't respect someone who just broke out the windows on your car when you are trying to payoff the car and can hardly make ends meet as it is.

As far as reputation, who wants to be known as the real bad ass in the gang? Realistically every rival member wants a piece of you, the cops know everything about you and will drool about putting you in prison, and also when a violent gang member is finally "put to rest" because of his/her actions will the community be up in arms about the poor gang kid or will they be saying "good riddance!" In prison, that bad ass will be "tossing the salad" of Bubba and he will now have a quite different reputation.

Retaliation is what has been happening recently. Someone wanting the reputation decides to make a move against a rival gang. That gang has to step it up a notch to retaliate or risks losing face. This continues until either the people that started the whole mess are locked away, or some innocent bystander gets caught in the cross fire.

As far as what the community can do, the people need to be the eyes and ears for police. If you know there is a party in your neighborhood with lots of kids sporting their "colors" (and they will since that is their whole identity) then let the police know. If you blow it off the next thing that will happen, especially now, is a rival gang will show up. There will be some shouting, gang hand signs shown, and then comes a spark that starts either a fight or some gunfire. Since there has been a higher amount of gun shots, more gang kids will be carrying weapons to protect themselves. Throw in some alcohol, drugs, and other members nudging them along...bang!

There are roughly 30,000 people in Dodge City most of which are adults. There are probably 20-40 actual gang members with a propensity for violence and anywhere from 5-9 officers on the street at any given time. Do the math...there are more hard working adults and families here that outnumber gang members. Don't be a vigilante but help law enforcement rather than closing your blinds, shutting off the lights, and cowering under the bed pretending nothing is happening. This is your city, not the gang's.

Parents, watch what is happening with your children. No one knows your child better than you. If you see changes in clothing such as the bandanas, unexplained injuires, and changes in associates then you need to act. There is a whole list of clues to look for but if you don't know the clues, ask the gang detail at the police department. They are more than willing to help you. If you don't act and your child joins a gang, your child will be lost both to you and also to him/herself. Getting a child out of gang is extremely difficult so that is why it is so crucial to stop them from joining in the first place.

[Detector]

Well said WizardofOz.

Of course it begins with the parents. Lately I seem to be noticing a lot of unsupervised kids running around town. I think parents get so wrapped up in day to day business they don't give the attention needed to keep kids out of bad company. And then there are some parents that rely on the neighborhood to raise their kids for them.

My new neighbors may not appreciate it, but you can bet I'm not going to let my block go to crap.

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by Highwayman

True, but neither is any sport hunting.

I vote for open season.

I'm NOT a vigilante, I'm an undocumented Border Patrol Agent!

[The Joker]

I guess I just don't understand..... you want adults to be aware of what is going on to help the cops deal with gang activity??? Okay.... I am up for that.

But when I hear gun shots in the neighborhood, then 3 mins later the scanner shouts out there was a drive by 2 blocks from where I live... the next weekend same thing except it is two blocks the other direction. I hear the cops on the scanner. They know what is going on, they know that they are rival gang members. (which by the way, sucks being in the middle of the crossfire!) But why doesn't the paper report these occurances?

If you want ADULTS to be aware of what is going on and where, then they need to be educated of that information. I hear it, I have a scanner, I also understand the police language. But not everyone has the same information that I do.

I guess what I am saying is, we are ALL adults, print the information SOMEWHERE, then the ADULTS can look out for some of this stuff. I feel that if we ALL have some information we can beat the gang activity and live in a more respectable place. (plus, I would like to get out of the crossfire!! )

The Joker

[TexKan]

Print it on a flyer, discuss it at a Neighborhood meeting (don't have to be "neighborhood watch" could be concerned folks meetin up on your front porch - if it's organized - call the police to be a part of it - they wanna stop the events as bad as you do - nobody likes going to "shot fired" at night - it's dangerous, and truth is ain't nobody goin to that call but a cop. He's worried too but goes cause that's what he does. Light up your property so there's no place to hide. We got 4 vapor lights - lights up 2 city lots. Nobody does drug business around our house cause it's lit up like a friggin runnway. Sure makes life nice!