Going after gangs: Local police and Feds join forces

Dayton area officers work as one force

Updated: Monday, 07 Feb 2011, 7:44 PM EST
Published : Monday, 07 Feb 2011, 4:20 PM EST
Pam Elliot, WDTN

DAYTON, Ohio - Police in the Dayton area are going after gangs. It's the kind of news that hasn't made headlines because much of the work has been done undercover but that is changing.

Lt. Brian Johns of the Dayton Police Department told 2 NEWS, "without a doubt we do have gangs in Dayton."

But the gangs don't stay just in Dayton. That's why DPD is working with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Marshals and the Trotwood Police Department on a regular basis to break through the bonds between gang members and those of smaller groups.

Three people were arrested, two in Trotwood and one in Dayton, the day 2 NEWS joined a warrant sweeps in January.

"It's very dangerous because you know the news lately where there have been four or five police officers killed and a lot of those were actually serving warrants like we were today," Lt. Johns said.

You can look for the following signs to help police round up gang members: tattoos with numbers, 13 specifically, 6-point and 5-point stars, colored bandanas, playboy bunnies, anything that denotes turf, and initials DVH, meaning 'Dayton View Hustlers.'

Citizen Intervention to Reduce Gun Violence (CIRGV) said in the Dayton area right now there are hundreds of gang members and nearly a dozen different gangs. But cooperation among law enforcement groups does appear to be making an impact and Lt. Johns said homicides are down.

Federal authorities are also involved, and since federal laws are tougher, those caught and convicted end up with more time.

Lt. Johns said what is also effective are "call ins" when people are brought to the courthouse for straight talk. Those found to be involved in gang activity hear from victims' loved ones and authorities about the consequences they face if their criminal behavior continues.

http://www.wdtn.com/dpp/news/crime_stop ... fter-gangs