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Letter: Gang activity on the rise
Topics: youth, gangs
Posted by jimr Mon Mar 26, 2007 15:07:37 PDT
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0 responses 5 comments

I am a retired Criminologist and worked for five years at the Lancaster Sheriff's Department where I helped maintain a computerized database of the local gangs before I moved up here. I am considered a "Gangs Specialist." Lancaster and Palmdale are currently in a fighting mode against gangs and the local citizens there have joined forces with law enforcement to sweep the streets clean and drive them out of town. Where do you suppose they will go? Hint...North. Yes, we are seeing more gang activity up here and more are on the way. We even have local, home-grown gangs. Why do kids join gangs? One of the reasons, and perhaps the biggest one, is for a sense of belonging. Many kids are largely left on their own or completely ignored by their families. So, they join the gangs to have someone who will look out for their interests and someone to hang with. Unfortunately, they are ultimately up to no good deeds and they enable each other. We have to take a proactive approach and be on the lookout for gang activity in Tehachapi. Take pictures of any gang graffiti you see or anything that looks suspicious and turn them in to the authorities. Most people today carry cell phones with camera's. Gang graffiti always leave clues. Some will give the name of the gang and/or their location and the name of the "artist".  These taggings are not generally able to be read or deciphered by the average citizen but law enforcement knows how to do it. We need to connect with todays youth and work with them BEFORE it gets to the point where they want to join a gang. I hear kids all over town complaining "there's nothing to do here". We have to find positive things for them to do, to get involved in, to volunteer to help those in need. A place for them to "hang." Parks and Recreation and sports activities are fine but not all kids are either sports minded or adept. They must all be included in civic minded activities. We must make them feel safe and needed and wanted and useful. — Jim Richards

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Comment From: Sparks

Jim on the way to Edwards I decided to check out California City, I have never been there before. UGH.. I saw a dozen or more what looked to me like gang members walking the streets there. Are these kids really gang members or are they just dressing in today's trend??? Great post, I think we need to help these kids. We obviously need a different approach. Someone mentioned that they noticed that we have some homegrown gangs here in Tehachapi already. Is that true? Comment From: jimr

We had better keep our eyes open. Kids today know full well that to dress up in gang attire without being a bona fide member of the gang would be to invite the wrath of that gang and they would be very sorry. So, I think it's safe to suppose they were truly gang members. It's FAR from merely a "trend". Gangs moved north from L.A. and the Valley to Lancaster/Palmdale and they are coming here in ever greater numbers. No matter how many Police peope we hire, they can't be everywhere, all the time...but WE, the ctizenry ARE everywhere, all the time and we have to be their eyes and ears. We need to spread the word and your help will be appreciated. Taking pictures (if you can safely do so) is the BEST bet so they can be identified and watched. If you noticed any tattoo's on those kids in Cal City...you can be damned sure they were real gang members. Parents don't always know, or much give a damn, about the real meanings behind their kids tattoo's and attire...that let's others know WHO they really are. I appreciate your comments. Jim Comment From: Parttimer

This comes as no surprise to me. When the Prison expanded the growth in the area really began. Many of those that came had relatives at CCI. Things changed in the schools and in the entire area. With the increased growth the past few years things will only get worse. We moved here in 1972 and miss the way it was. Because of the changes we became 'part timers' in 1992 and if it continues to degrade we will soon be 'no timers'. Growth isn't always that great. I know I could do without a Home Depot if it was a trade off for less crime and gangs. Comment From: jimr

Dear Partimer: And where will you go from here? To the Dark Side of the Moon? There are MANY reported cases where people moved from an urban area to a rural one in a small town only to have their kids shot to death in schools, etc. We have to DEAL with a bad situation and sticking our heads in the sand is not going to make it disappear.It's time we took back our streets from gangs and hoodlums. Jim Comment From: SrMalcontent

Hi Jim, Yes indeed, the problem is with us, but who is there among us with the knowledge, the MONEY, and the time to set up an after shcool center for kids that would offer counciling, activities and caring people to replace the gaps in their lives? Bye and large, Tehachapi teens - and younger - are more oriented to being good citizens than otherwise. Tehachapi is still - tho the Lord knows how long it will be able to hold off the Hordes what with all the indiscriminant 'growth' that is occuring in our area - more accustomed to being law abiding, God fearing and community minded than otherwise. Perhaps the many church denominations in the area could set up a WORKING council - all together rather than each unto his own - and make a dent in the problem? At least this is a constructive idea rather than a blanket agreement with your blog. Good luck.