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Wednesday, August 27, 2008 10:48 AM Fighting gangs Officials stress family By Antonio Velarde | Times Staff Writer MIDDLESEX - Kelton Brown didn't grow up in Middlesex, but he spent much of his youth here visiting family and eventually chose to live here despite the daily commute to his Raleigh job. Brown, who also works as a youth minister for First Baptist Church of Middlesex, said he has not seen much gang activity in his town, but that his experience as a Raleigh attorney has exposed him to criminals through the court system. "You don't want to see it take place in areas you're familiar with," said Brown, 37. Brown and more than 70 other like-minded residents filled the Family Life Center of Middlesex Baptist Church Tuesday night to hear members of the Nash County Sheriff's Office and Middlesex Police Department give a gang prevention and awareness presentation. During the presentation, S.J. Weeks of the Nash County Sheriff's Office and Middlesex Police Chief Charles Ferrell showed audience members how to spot gang graffiti, clothing, symbols and told them what to look for if they suspect gang activity among their kids. The two also spoke about gang activity locally and nationally, showing slide shows of graffiti found in Bailey and videos of teenagers elsewhere being inducted into gangs. Weeks stressed the importance of parents taking an active role in their children's lives, "because if we don't, nobody else will." Weeks said gang activity is not a major problem in southern Nash County, but that the area's proximity to Raleigh area does cause some spillover to occur. He said often kids locally will pick up on things they see on television and in music and try to imitate gang activity. They may dress in gang colors or throw gang signs, he said, but have very little real knowledge of what they are doing. He said authorities here have seen graffiti on signs and buildings around the Bailey area. Weeks cited the case of a 14-year-old who carjacked a woman and her child outside of Spring Hope. He claimed to have affiliations with a gang in Wake County. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Ferrell said most of the gangs being seen in North Carolina are hybrid gangs, not necessarily affiliated with just one gang like the Crips or Bloods. According to a 2007 report from the N.C. Governor's Crime Commission, the state has identified 550 gangs and 14,500 gang members. He said the state gang activity hasn't become established to the point where there is a generational gap between younger and older gang members. "Now is a time to stop it before that happens," Ferrell said. Weeks told the audience many kids join gangs out of poverty or emotional needs that they might not get from friends and family. He said gangs induct very young kids - through "beat-ins" and other methods - because they are expendable. He said audience members should be watching what their children watch and listen to and what they are wearing. He said kids meeting in groups wearing the same colors and flashing signs are likely "claiming" an affiliation. These kids might also have cuts and bruises from getting into fights with other gang members. Around town, he added, residents should note graffiti on buildings, especially graffiti that has been crossed out, as this is how rival gangs disrespect each other. Giving a brief overview of gangs, he said there are the typical gangs people know of, like the Crips and Bloods, but there are also Asian, Hispanic and even all-female gangs that exist. Nationally, many gangs have evolved to the point where they have even stopped using the traditional colors on clothing and bandannas they used to wear. A few even have female leaders, or leaders who are of different races than traditionally associated with a particular gang. Weeks said the most important preventative measure to keep kids out of gangs is to watch what they are doing and take an active involvement in their lives. He said an enriching home life or participation in church and other community activities can help stop the problem before it begins. "We can't do it by ourselves," he said. avelarde@wilsontimes.com | 265-7868 |
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