http://www.hawkcentral.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 1079/HAWKS

Saturday, March 3, 2007


Graffiti may point to a gang



By Mike McWilliams
Iowa City Press-Citizen

Warning signs

Warning signs that your child might be involved with a gang:
• Admits to "hanging out" with kids in gangs.
• Shows an unusual interest in one or two particular colors of clothing or a particular logo.
• Has an unusual interest in gangster-influenced music, videos, movies, or Web sites.
• Uses unusual hand signals to communicate with friends.
• Has specific drawings or gang symbols on school books, clothes, walls or tattoos.
• Comes home with unexplained physical injuries (fighting-related bruises, injuries to hand/knuckles).
• Has unexplained cash or goods, such as clothing or jewelry.
• Carries a weapon.
• Has been in trouble with the police.
Source: Iowa City Police Department


Police said juveniles likely are behind what appears to be gang-related graffiti that has popped up this week on more than a dozen businesses and homes in east Iowa City.

"Rebels 13" was spray-painted along with the names "Lil Psycho," "Apache," "Spooks" and "Playboy." The graffiti first appeared Monday on 15 residences and businesses concentrated in an area southwest of First and Muscatine avenues.

"It's likely juveniles, and it's likely a group of individuals who are at least passing themselves off as a clique or a gang," Iowa City Police Sgt. Troy Kelsay said.

Although not certain, Kelsay said the Rebels 13 could be affiliated with the violent Latin street gang Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13. The gang, which formed in Los Angeles in the late 1980s, has about 10,000 members nationwide in 33 states, according to the FBI.

"I have not personally seen the Rebels 13 before, but it looks to me to be a spin off of (MS-13) or somebody associating with that," Kelsay said. "As far as the tags go, we have seen some of those monikers before."

Kelsay said some people in Iowa City with limited or no actual ties to MS-13 nevertheless have affiliated themselves with the gang, its name and image. However, Kelsay said he's not sure how many there are locally.

MS-13 mostly is composed of El Salvadoran nationals or first generation El Salvadoran Americans but also includes Hondurans, Guatemalans, Mexicans and other Central and South American immigrants, according to the FBI. The gang has been called one of the world's most dangerous street gangs, and in 2004, the FBI launched a task force focused specifically on MS-13.

To combat gangs, Kelsay said police work closely with schools. The department's Street Crimes Action Team, or SCAT, also focuses on gang enforcement, Kelsay said.

SCAT leader Sgt. Mike Brotherton said he wouldn't classify the Rebels 13 graffiti as bona fide gang activity. Brotherton said he expected charges from the graffiti would be filed soon.

"We're not seeing anything organized on the adult level," Brotherton said. "I think it's related to some juveniles that just don't have enough to keep themselves occupied and get themselves in trouble."

If you see graffiti, Kelsay said it's a good idea to address it either by removing it or covering it up.

"There's always the chance it will reoccur," Kelsay said. "I'm a big proponent of removing it and covering it as soon as possible and trying to locate those responsible and hold them accountable."