More and more gang graffiti is popping up here in Charlotte. It's pretty scary to know we have gangs in Charlotte. Its even worse when the gang members don't want you to forget it so they "tag" or paint graffiti in public places.Today, WSOC-TV reported that trees, benches and sidewalks at the Albemarle Road Community Park on Harris Boulevard are all tagged with markings from two violent gangs. The park is right next
to Albemarle Road Elementary School! The city's graffiti inspector said over the past few months the park has been tagged by gangs more than six times. Two Hispanic gangs seem to be fighting over the turf -- MS 13 and the Surenos.On February 14, 2006, The Charlotte Observer published an article about the gang activity in Charlotte and here is some information they shared about gangs in Charlotte:
• Charlotte has 78 documented gangs with over 1,240 known members. Last summer the police listed 853 known gang members. Gangs such as the Kings, police have documented 191 members. Various factions of that gang, plus the Crips, Bloods, MS-13 and SUR-13, boast the most members countywide.• Unlike other cities such as Los Angeles or Chicago, Charlotte's gangs are mobile and are not as tied to single neighborhoods. They don't delineate turf as tightly as other cities.
• The gangs often rely on hierarchies of power. But the most dangerous members are those lowest on the ladder, said Detective Harold Jackson. Those who aren't even members are the ones most likely to try to impress the leaders at the top with reckless crimes, he said.
• Police have tied at least five of last year's 85 homicides to gangs, compared with just one in 2004.• Some of their crime victims are other gang members and drug dealers, Capt. Eddie Levins said. But the gangs also rob and steal cars from innocent victims -- such as one woman who was raped in a gang-related home invasion.
Police say Charlotte's gang intelligence unit has helped decrease gang activity in the city. The Gang of One unit has been in operation for nearly two years. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say the gang unit was especially successful in the Latino community. If you see gang activity and want to report you can call the gang of one hotline. The number is (704) 432-GANG.
Other Gang Related Resources:
Charlotte Observer Special Gang Report
NC Gang Investigators Assoc.
Ways to identify a potential gang member