Gangs in North Carolina

North Carolina Gang Investigators Association

www.ncgangcops.org

DISCLAIMERPresentations are intended for educational

purposes only and do not replace independent professional judgment. Statements of fact and opinions expressed are those of the participants individually and, unless expressly stated to the contrary, are not the opinion or position of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), CMPD, NCGIA, or other cosponsors. The FBI and CMPD does not endorse or approve, and assumes no responsibility for, the content, accuracy or completeness of the information presented.

Detective W. Chuck Hastings (Charlotte Mecklenburg Police)

FBI Safe Streets Task Force – Gangs****************************************************

• 2005-2013 Present- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department• CIB- Gang Unit - FBI Safe Streets Task Force-Gangs• Gang of One –Started Gang Prevention Program (2004-2013)• Worked MS13 RICO/Drug Investigation 26+ Defendants• Worked first Capital Murder MS13 case in country• Currently working Federal Confidential Sources/Informants• Local, State, National and International Gang Contacts• Assisted in the Hidden Valley Kings Investigation• Assisted in UBN Blood Investigation• Assisted in Wadesboro, NC Gang Investigation• North Carolina Gang Investigators Association Director of

Information 2007-Present• North Carolina Gang Investigators Association Region 3

Coordinator 2005-2007

What is a gang?

Definition of a gang:North Carolina § 14-50.16: As used in this Article, 'criminal streetgang' or 'street gang' means any ongoing organization, association,or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, that:

1. Has as one of its primary activities the commission of one ormore felony offenses, or delinquent acts that would be felonies ifcommitted by an adult;

2. Has three or more members individually or collectively engagedin, or who have engaged in, criminal street gang activity; and

3. May have a common name, common identifying sign or symbol.

NC GS § 14-50.16. Pattern of criminal street gang activity… Cont.

• As used in this Article, "pattern of criminal street gang activity" means engaging in, and having a conviction for, at least two prior incidents of criminal street gang activity, that have the same or similar purposes, results, accomplices, victims, or methods of commission or otherwise are interrelated by common characteristics and are not isolated and unrelated incidents, provided that at least one of these offenses occurred after December 1, 2008, and the last of the offenses occurred within three years, excluding any periods of imprisonment, of prior criminal street gang activity. Any offenses committed by a defendant prior to indictment for an offense based upon a pattern of street gang activity shall not be used as the basis for any subsequent indictments for offenses involving a pattern of street gang activity. (2008-214, s. 3.)

28 Code of Federal Regulations Part 23 “28 CFR Part 23”

A federal guideline for law enforcement agencies that operate federally funded, multijurisdictional criminal intelligence systems. 28 CFR Part 23

provides guidance for law enforcement agencies on how to operate criminal intelligence information

systems effectively while protecting individuals’ privacy and constitutional rights during the

collection, storage, and dissemination of criminal intelligence information.

• www.iir.com/28cfr

28 CFR Part 23 (continued)

• Provides guidance standards in five areas:– Submission and entry of criminal intelligence– Security– Inquiry– Dissemination– Review and purge

What Is a Gang Member?

• An individual who meets two or more of the following criteria based on a subjective evaluation of the quality of the evidence

– Admits gang membership– Has tattoos and wears or possesses clothing

and/or paraphernalia or other indicators that are only associated with a specific gang or gangs

What Is a Gang Member? (continued)

• Participates in delinquent and/or criminal activity with a known gang member

• Has close association with known gang members—confirmed by law enforcement documented records

• Has been identified as a gang member by a reliable informant or source

Submission Criteria

• Gang Member Submission Criteria: Initial identification of a gang member shall meet the following requirements.

• A minimum of two of the following criteria must be met;

1. Self Admitted - Subject has admitted to being a gang member. (List gang.)

2. 2. Gang Tattoos/Markings - Subject is known to have gang tattoos or markings.

3. Frequents Gang Areas - Subject has been seen frequenting gang areas. (List gang area.)

4. Affiliates with Gang - Subject has been seen by officer affiliating with documented gang members. (List gang documented members.)

Submission Criteria (continued)

5. Gang Hand Signs/Symbols - Subject has been seen by officer displaying gang symbols or hand signs or writes graffiti. (List signs or symbols.)

6. Gang Terminology or Language - Subject uses gang language or terminology. (List terminology used.)

7. Gang Dress -Subject has been seen wearing gang dress. (Example: gang style, colors, jewelry, bandanas, etc.)

8. Physical Evidence - Subject in possession of gang physical evidence or linked via physical evidence. (Example: gang documents, photos, graffiti, etc.)

9. Reliable Source – Subject has been identified as a gang member by a reliable informant/source. (List reliable source.)

Submission Criteria (continued)

10. Untested Source - Subject has been identified as a gang member by an untested source. (List source.)

11. Gang Incident - Subject has been involved in a criminal gang incident. (List type of incident, date and report number.)

12. Classification Admit - In custody classification interview that occurs before entry into the jail or prison system where the subject admits gang membership in hopes of placement near other members of his gang.

What Is a Gang Crime?

• Member-based crime (Gang Related)– A criminal act in which the suspect or victim is

a gang member• Motive-based crime (Gang Motivated)

– A criminal act in which the suspect or victim is a gang member and the crime occurs because of that membership or is facilitated by that membership

or– A crime committed by a gang member to

further the interest of the gang

Categories of Street Gangs:Traditional Gangs

Based on the traditions and motivations of gangs that have existed for a long time. Adopt traditional hand-signs, colors,

bylaws, bibles, structure, etc. Aligned with a gang nation (People, Folk,

Bloods or Crips).

Categories of Street Gangs:Non-Traditional Gangs

Usually evolves into a traditional gang, or dissolves after a year or two. Includes Hybrid gangs that may be

ethnically mixed and borrow traditions from other gangs. May adopt names from pop culture (Ex.

Boyz, Posse, Crew). Local to the area.

Categories of Street Gangs:Criminal Enterprises

Motivated by money. Primarily adults involved in illegal narcotics

and weapons trafficking….. Anything else? Examples included the Mafia, Jamaican

Posses, Outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Why do people join

gangs?

Reasons That People Join Gangs

“Respect” and self-identity. Protection and peer intimidation. Gang replaces a dysfunctional family. Lack of Economic Opportunity. Desire for Excitement, Machismo. Lack of alternatives in and out of school Acceptance in Pop Culture.

Food Food Shelter ShelterClothing ClothingLove LoveDiscipline DisciplineAcceptance AcceptanceSecurity SecuritySharing SharingRespect Respect

MONEYSEXDRUGSPOWERPROTECTION

Natural Family Gang Family

What are the big national

gangs?

Folk Nation

People Nation

Bloods and Crips

Hispanic Gangs

Asian Gangs… and others

What identifies someone as a

gang member?

COLORS

Bloods Kings Crips MS-13

What kind of clothes do

gang members wear?

Clothing Color in clothing Bandanas Sports Clothing Belts Shoe Laces

Belts

Tattoos and Brands Used to identify the gang,

set or moniker

May be similar to the gang’s graffiti

Cigarette burns (Dots) signify toughness, gang lifestyle, philosophy, etc.

* **

Tattoos

Fading

Fading

Hand-signs Used to show gang membership. Also a means to communicate. Can show disrespect or issue a

challenge to opposing gangs or authority figures Elaborate hand-signing is also referred

to as stacking and finger popping.

Tagger Graffiti Most common type

A Means of Expression

Tag Crews

Gang Graffiti

Gang rivalry

Means of communication

Eulogize slain or maimed gang members

What do gangs

promise?

What Do Gangs Promise?

• Love• Respect• Fun• Money• Protection

What do gangs

deliver?

What Do Gangs Deliver?• Fear• Arrests• Prison Time• Assaults• Death• Destroyed Families• Ruined Lives• Poor School Results• No Chance of Getting a

Job

Let’s talk Security

• Can it happen to you?-Think about it…..

• Is all of your clients happy when the case is over?

- All of you have that one client…..

• How can you protect yourself and your family?

- Social Media- Vehicle (How do you drive home?)- Residence safety (alarms and 3 inch screws)- Safe words (previous animals)- Cellular telephone apps- Public places and/or events

Questions and Comments

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