Thread: N.C.: Gaston County gangs a major concern

Gaston County gangs a major concern

Apr 20, 2007

Shannon Peluso

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. -- Gaston County is waging a war against gangs and gang-related crimes. During a three-day gang awareness conference this week, all sectors of law enforcement, plus members of the community and Gaston County School officials, are meeting to discuss gang violence and prevention.

It’s a scary thought, but a harsh reality. Kids as young as 13 years old are being recruited into gang life, a life full of crime and drug activity.

Detective Mike McKenzie from the Gastonia Police Department says the problem is becoming very prevalent among the Gaston County youth.

“Now we're seeing recruitment in the middle schools, o it's something we're very much concerned with,” McKenzie said.

But the list of concerns doesn’t stop there. During the 1970s, gangs were only active in half of the states in the country. But now, according to the National Youth Violence Prevention Center, all 50 states report some type of gang activity.


"Gangs are everywhere. It's not like you can turn your eye and say, ‘They're not here,’ or ‘they're not in my community.’ If you don't think they're in your community, you're being naïve to a point," explained Rocky Smith of the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office.

Gaston County isn’t ignoring the problem though. Instead, they are tackling the issue head on.

"We're trying to tackle it from several different angles, this of course involving the community in it. Gangs are not a law enforcement problem only. It's a community problem. We all live work and shop in the same areas," added McKenzie.

Between 2004 and 2006, the number of gangs in the Charlotte Metro Area rose 365 percent. Police blame that on the increasing amount of "home grown" gangs, such as the Hidden Valley Kings. The “Kings” are a notorious gang from the Hidden Valley neighborhood in Charlotte. Last month, 20 members were indicted on federal gun and drug related charges.

Due to CMPD’s success with fighting gangs, Gaston County is working closely with Charlotte-Mecklenburg police to decrease the rising gang numbers.

CMPD has already helped Gaston County a great deal, and Smith says, “that's the key – to work together with all agencies to stay ahead of that.”

Following Charlotte’s lead, Gaston County also introduced “Gang of One,” a community hotline where residents can call in and report suspicious activity and seek help.

Law enforcement is also educating students in the Gaston County School System about gang prevention. They hope by addressing the problem early it will help them avoid it in the future.

"That ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cures,” McKenzie said.

It’s a remedy community members and law enforcement officials alike hope to see work.

http://www.knowgangs.com/news/apr07/0420.php

Due to CMPD’s success with fighting gangs, Gaston County is working closely with Charlotte-Mecklenburg police to decrease the rising gang numbers.

Since the number of gangs in Charlotte increased 365% in 2 years, these guys might need to work with somebody else.

I finished raising two of my sons in an area with active gangs. There, especially for young males, gangs are something you have to cut a deal with somehow. You may get by without joining, but you will have to make some kind of peace with them, or else your life is in danger. Gang members will be students at your school and living in your neighborhood. Short of staying in your house 24 x 7, there's no avoiding them. You will need the diplomacy skills of a seasoned diplomat if you want to stay out of gangs. Once the police get the notion that you are friends with gang members, it is only a matter of time before you are arrested and charged with some felony. Then, unless you are very lucky in navigating the court system, you are tagged for life and career progress will be very difficult.