What is a gang?What is a gang?

A gang is three or more people who have A gang is three or more people who have a common name and identifying signs, a common name and identifying signs, colors, or symbols and who participate in colors, or symbols and who participate in criminal activities as a group or criminal activities as a group or individually. individually.

Identification Criteria of suspected Identification Criteria of suspected gang members:gang members:

An individual is identified as a gang member based on verifying at least An individual is identified as a gang member based on verifying at least threethree of the following and is involved in criminal activity: of the following and is involved in criminal activity:

#1 Admits gang membership or association.#1 Admits gang membership or association. #2 Is observed to associate on a regular basis with known gang members.#2 Is observed to associate on a regular basis with known gang members.

#3 Has tattoos indicating gang membership.#3 Has tattoos indicating gang membership.#4 Wears gang clothing/colors or symbols which can be identified with a #4 Wears gang clothing/colors or symbols which can be identified with a specific gang.specific gang.#5 Is in a photograph with known gang members and/or using gang related #5 Is in a photograph with known gang members and/or using gang related hand signs.hand signs.#6 Name is on a gang document, hit list, or gang related graffiti.#6 Name is on a gang document, hit list, or gang related graffiti.#7 Is identified as a gang member by a reliable source.#7 Is identified as a gang member by a reliable source.#8 Arrested in the company of identified gang members or associates.#8 Arrested in the company of identified gang members or associates.#9 Corresponds with known gang members or writes and/or receives #9 Corresponds with known gang members or writes and/or receives correspondence about gang activity.correspondence about gang activity.#10 Writes about gangs (graffiti) on walls, books, paper, etc.#10 Writes about gangs (graffiti) on walls, books, paper, etc.

Active gangs in St. PaulActive gangs in St. Paul

Asian GangsAsian Gangs:: White GangsWhite Gangs Asian Crips (Colors are blue)Asian Crips (Colors are blue) White Power GangWhite Power Gang Purple Brother (Colors are Purple)Purple Brother (Colors are Purple) Hells AnglesHells Angles Oriental Ruthless boys (Red)Oriental Ruthless boys (Red) Hells OutcastHells Outcast

Crazy Bloods (Red)Crazy Bloods (Red) PeacemakersPeacemakers True Bloods 22 (Red)True Bloods 22 (Red) BPMBPM

Men of Destruction (Red) Out of state (Blue)Men of Destruction (Red) Out of state (Blue) OMB (Orivelle Mono Boys) (Red)OMB (Orivelle Mono Boys) (Red) AB (Asian Bloods) (Red)AB (Asian Bloods) (Red)

Black Gangs:Black Gangs: Somali GangsSomali GangsSelby Side Boys (Colors are blue) Clique w/ Bangout BoysSelby Side Boys (Colors are blue) Clique w/ Bangout Boys Somali Gangster DiscipleSomali Gangster DiscipleEast Side Boys (Rival is LTG) (Color is Blue)East Side Boys (Rival is LTG) (Color is Blue) Rough Tough Somali CripsRough Tough Somali CripsBlack Gangster DisciplesBlack Gangster Disciples Somali Hot BoysSomali Hot BoysLower Town Gangsters (Associated w/ GD clique)Lower Town Gangsters (Associated w/ GD clique) Somali OutlawsSomali OutlawsShotgun Crips (Blue)Shotgun Crips (Blue) Somali BloodsSomali BloodsBang out boys (Clique w/Selby Side Boys)Bang out boys (Clique w/Selby Side Boys) Somali Assault UnitSomali Assault UnitOutta Control Gangsters (Red)Outta Control Gangsters (Red) MWA (Madiban With Attitude)MWA (Madiban With Attitude)

St. Paul SoldersSt. Paul SoldersLatino GangsLatino Gangs18 Street Gang18 Street GangNortenos 14Nortenos 14Brown For Life (BFL)Brown For Life (BFL)SUR 13SUR 13Latin KingsLatin KingsBrown PrideBrown Pride

$ $ GANGGANG $$

Gangs currently make money by selling:Gangs currently make money by selling:

-Drugs (Marijuana, Crack Cocaine, Meth., -Drugs (Marijuana, Crack Cocaine, Meth., Ecstasy, and Heroin)Ecstasy, and Heroin)

-Guns-Guns

Crack CocaineCrack Cocaine

HeroinHeroin

Ecstasy

Whippets LSD / Acid

Signs of Gangs Signs of Gangs

Clothing to watch forClothing to watch for

Ask questions if you are not sure what Ask questions if you are not sure what words on hats and shirts mean!words on hats and shirts mean!

RecruitmentRecruitment

Gangs are constantly recruiting. Gangs Gangs are constantly recruiting. Gangs want to increase in numbers so when they want to increase in numbers so when they have a problem with rival gangs, they will have a problem with rival gangs, they will have a better chance at winning. If you have a better chance at winning. If you have gang members in your community, have gang members in your community, THEY ARE RECRUITING! THEY ARE RECRUITING!

Danger signs to look for in kids Danger signs to look for in kids involved in gangsinvolved in gangs

The child becomes distant from family and friends.The child becomes distant from family and friends.

The child begins to wear matching gang colors. The child begins to wear matching gang colors. Example, blue shirt, blue bandana, blue shoe strings, Example, blue shirt, blue bandana, blue shoe strings, and blue baseball cap. Depending on the gang the child and blue baseball cap. Depending on the gang the child is representing will determine which colors the kids are is representing will determine which colors the kids are wearing.wearing.

The child begins to hang out with the wrong crowd.The child begins to hang out with the wrong crowd.

The child begins to violate rules they normally would The child begins to violate rules they normally would have abided by in the past.have abided by in the past.

Check notebooks and school books for gang writings. Check notebooks and school books for gang writings. Kids often write about which gangs they are representingKids often write about which gangs they are representing

WebsitesWebsites Gang members love to be seen and heard Gang members love to be seen and heard

from. If you suspect a child of being from. If you suspect a child of being involved in gangs or if you just want to involved in gangs or if you just want to check up on a kid you are concerned about, check up on a kid you are concerned about, look them up on:look them up on:

Myspace.com/orgMyspace.com/org

Black Planet. com/orgBlack Planet. com/org

Facebook.com/orgFacebook.com/org

Female GangstersFemale Gangsters

Minnesota has an increasing number of documented Minnesota has an increasing number of documented female gangsters. Females who date male gang female gangsters. Females who date male gang members often align themselves with the gang the male members often align themselves with the gang the male belongs to.belongs to.

The St. Paul Police Gang Unit document’s the girlfriends The St. Paul Police Gang Unit document’s the girlfriends and wives of known gang members. These women are and wives of known gang members. These women are listed as associates of the gangs the males belong to. listed as associates of the gangs the males belong to. Otherwise, if women meet the criteria for a gang Otherwise, if women meet the criteria for a gang member, they are documented as such.member, they are documented as such.

Minnesota does have a small population of female gangs Minnesota does have a small population of female gangs in its prison system. in its prison system.

Female’s Role in male GangsFemale’s Role in male Gangs After interviewing numerous male gang members and the former girlfriends of active After interviewing numerous male gang members and the former girlfriends of active

gang members, law enforcement has learned of the roles of a female in most gangs gang members, law enforcement has learned of the roles of a female in most gangs here in Minnesota. Those roles are, but not limited to:here in Minnesota. Those roles are, but not limited to:

- Females are Females are usedused to hold the weapons and narcotics of male gang members until to hold the weapons and narcotics of male gang members until those weapons are needed at a certain location.those weapons are needed at a certain location.

- Females involved in relationships with male gang members often have children with Females involved in relationships with male gang members often have children with the gang members which calls for more loyalty to the gang from the female. She is the gang members which calls for more loyalty to the gang from the female. She is less likely to cooperate with law enforcement if the male is suspected of committing a less likely to cooperate with law enforcement if the male is suspected of committing a crime for the benefit of his gang. She will not give the police information if it means crime for the benefit of his gang. She will not give the police information if it means her boyfriend/husband will go to jail.her boyfriend/husband will go to jail.

- Females are often Females are often usedused to make money for gang members by either becoming an to make money for gang members by either becoming an exotic dancer, committing fraud, theft or prostitution.exotic dancer, committing fraud, theft or prostitution.

Females are not well respected by male gang members. They often don’t figure it out Females are not well respected by male gang members. They often don’t figure it out until after it’s too late to get out of the relationship with the gang member without until after it’s too late to get out of the relationship with the gang member without fearing for their safety.fearing for their safety.

Addressing the gang issueAddressing the gang issue

““WE WILL NOT ARREST OUR WAY WE WILL NOT ARREST OUR WAY OUT OF THE GANG PROBLEM!”OUT OF THE GANG PROBLEM!”

St. Paul PoliceSt. Paul Police Chief Chief John HarringtonJohn Harrington

Gang HistoryGang History

Gangs have been around since the early 1900’s.Gangs have been around since the early 1900’s. Law enforcement has been reactive over the years to gang crimes.Law enforcement has been reactive over the years to gang crimes.

Now, we have a new approach to dealing with gangs!Now, we have a new approach to dealing with gangs!

This plan involves a partnership with the community we serve.This plan involves a partnership with the community we serve.

InterventionIntervention

PreventionPrevention

ApprehensionApprehension

InterventionIntervention

Intervention requires us as an affective police gang unit Intervention requires us as an affective police gang unit to work closely with community groups. One of the to work closely with community groups. One of the creations and great partnerships made by the St. Paul creations and great partnerships made by the St. Paul Police Department is the “God Squad.” The God Squad Police Department is the “God Squad.” The God Squad is made up of church pastors from St. Paul. is made up of church pastors from St. Paul.

Sometimes wanted suspects trust community groups to Sometimes wanted suspects trust community groups to turn themselves into police custody after committing a turn themselves into police custody after committing a crime. These suspects often believe their safety is in crime. These suspects often believe their safety is in danger so they trust community groups to assist in the danger so they trust community groups to assist in the process. process.

It only matters that they are in custody after committing a It only matters that they are in custody after committing a crime! crime!

Gang Gang PreventionPrevention by SPPD by SPPD Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T) program. This Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T) program. This

program is taught in the elementary and middle schools. We also have the program is taught in the elementary and middle schools. We also have the G.R.E.A.T Family’s Program, and the G.R.E.A.T Summer Program. G.R.E.A.T Family’s Program, and the G.R.E.A.T Summer Program.

Police Athletic League (P.A.L). This athletic league is coached by police Police Athletic League (P.A.L). This athletic league is coached by police officers and some members of the St. Paul community. The age groups of officers and some members of the St. Paul community. The age groups of the kids range from elementary to high school age kids.the kids range from elementary to high school age kids.

Truancy and Curfew sweeps. If we (police/community) can keep juveniles Truancy and Curfew sweeps. If we (police/community) can keep juveniles off of the streets during the hours when juveniles are not suppose to be out, off of the streets during the hours when juveniles are not suppose to be out, we can decrease the chances of kids getting themselves into trouble.we can decrease the chances of kids getting themselves into trouble.

Some SPPD officers participate in mentor programs with-in the City of St. Some SPPD officers participate in mentor programs with-in the City of St. Paul.Paul.

All of the above are nationwide programs and may be found in most All of the above are nationwide programs and may be found in most communities with government funding available. communities with government funding available.

Prevention by ParentsPrevention by Parents Parents can decrease the chances of their kids getting involved in gangs by:Parents can decrease the chances of their kids getting involved in gangs by:

- Knowing where their kids are at all times. Kids who run around in the Knowing where their kids are at all times. Kids who run around in the community unsupervised are more likely to get into trouble and to hangout community unsupervised are more likely to get into trouble and to hangout with the wrong crowd. Parents must stay involved and know where their kids with the wrong crowd. Parents must stay involved and know where their kids are and who they are hanging out with.are and who they are hanging out with.

- Parents should try to get their kids involved in something positive. St. Paul Parents should try to get their kids involved in something positive. St. Paul schools, library’s and community centers post after school and summer schools, library’s and community centers post after school and summer programs for kids. When kids are involved in school functions or community programs for kids. When kids are involved in school functions or community functions, they are less likely to get themselves into trouble.functions, they are less likely to get themselves into trouble.

- A bored child with no supervision or extracurricular activities is a child who A bored child with no supervision or extracurricular activities is a child who is primed and ready to be recruited by someone! I hope the recruiters are is primed and ready to be recruited by someone! I hope the recruiters are not gang members, drug dealers, pimps, or any other negative members of not gang members, drug dealers, pimps, or any other negative members of our society. our society.

ApprehensionApprehension

For those gang members who don’t want For those gang members who don’t want to leave the gang life and who continue to to leave the gang life and who continue to commit crimes, we build gang cases commit crimes, we build gang cases against them and they will be charged with against them and they will be charged with the Minnesota Criminal Statute the Minnesota Criminal Statute “Committing a crime for the benefit of a “Committing a crime for the benefit of a gang.” We will then ARREST, ARREST, gang.” We will then ARREST, ARREST, ARREST!ARREST!

SPPD Gang UnitSPPD Gang Unit

Officer Charles SimsOfficer Charles Sims

Office # 651-266-5779Office # 651-266-5779

E-Mail: Charles.Sims@ci.stpaul.mn.usE-Mail: Charles.Sims@ci.stpaul.mn.us