Thread: NC- Hispanic gangs gaining strength, detective warns

Hispanic gangs gaining strength, detective warns
Keith Upchurch
Sep 17, 2008 Sep. 17--DURHAM -- Hispanic gangs such as Sureno 13 and the Latin Kings are gaining strength in Durham, according to Detective Morial Whitaker of the Durham County Sheriff's Office.


And the Mara Salvatrucha gang, also known as MS-13, is one of today's most dangerous Hispanic gangs, he said, and is operating in Durham.

The Latin Kings work to recruit Durham Hispanic youths as they walk home from school, Whitaker told a group at The Forest at Duke retirement center on Pickett Road on Tuesday.

Gangs are "running the streets" in parts of Durham, he added. "We have a problem in our community, and it takes a whole community" to help solve the problem.

"These guys like to intimidate, but don't let them," Whitaker urged. "Report them to law enforcement."

Whitaker estimated there are close to 1,000 gang members in all of Durham County, but he said the figure could be higher or lower. Nationwide, he said, it's estimated there are around 900,000 members.

The detective, who has spent the last year learning about the gang scene in Durham and talking with gang members, said that once young people join a gang in Durham, it's very hard for them to leave.

"If you're in Durham, you're not getting out. The only way out is death."

Whitaker said gang members may feel a sense of belonging, but that secure feeling is often short-lived.

"They could be laughing at one hour, then an hour later they could be crying because they got arrested, or one of their homies got shot."

http://individual.com/story.php?story=88658179

Why hasn't the North Carolina Governor mandate 287G Program, E-Verify for all businesses and no benefits for illegals. Then push for amendment to 14th Amendment. Don't forget to check every I9!

Whitaker estimated there are close to 1,000 gang members in all of Durham County, but he said the figure could be higher or lower. Nationwide, he said, it's estimated there are around 900,000 members.

SCARY!!!