Document text
61 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, May 27, 2005 Today's News | Shop Our Valley | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery | Contact Us SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Britt Festival Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Biz Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend May 15, 2005 Programs target gangs By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Local law enforcement officials are in the midst of a three-month study to better identify gangs and gang activity. Rough estimates indicate there are 300 people in Jackson County who have ties to gangs, ranging from incidental relationships to strong connections. In addition, law enforcement officials believe 75 of these people are core gang members who engage in illegal activities. The study, set for completion this summer, is funded by a $59,930 grant from the Oregon Youth Authority. Law enforcement officials already know that gangs such as BN (Brown Nation), Notre Familia, Sur (Surenos), Peckerwoods, Death Valley Thugs and Bloods have local affiliations. Advertisement Carl Erickson, deputy director of Jackson County Juvenile Services, said many organizations watch for warning signs of gang activity, but schools especially must stay alert. "All schools have some level of problems, others have more," said Erickson. Particularly vulnerable are young "gang wannabes" who could fall prey to seasoned gang members who’ve moved from other areas and want to set up drug operations locally. To help counter the allure of gangs, Medford police take at-risk youths to Pelican Bay State Prison in Northern California to see firsthand what happens to people who embark on a life of crime. Erickson said the youths have to be chosen carefully, because some might be inspired by the rough talk and swagger of the inmates. One recent visit had to be canceled because a riot broke out. Eradicating gang activity is difficult, but Erickson said officials can take steps to thwart it. Landlords whose run-down apartment complexes attract people with criminal backgrounds are contacted by city officials. If the landlords can’t or won’t take action to help stop any criminal activity found, the city can issue citations for code violations or arrest those who are breaking the law. Other organizations such as Kids Unlimited help children who are being courted by gangs or who are exhibiting gang behavior. "These are kids who quite honestly don’t have the resources to make better choices. There are a lot of kids who always walk that fine line," said Tom Cole, executive director of the organization that serves 1,000 children weekly. The path to gang activity usually starts when a child is exposed to a home life filled with drugs and a lack of parental supervision, he said. Many youths end up becoming part of a gang or identifying with gangs, particularly if they have problems fitting in at school. It’s human nature to try and figure out who you belong with, Cole pointed out. "You put on the cowboy hat and you become a cowboy," said Cole. "You put a blue rag in your back pocket and you’re a gangster." The problem worsens when the youths begin falling behind in school and can see no future for themselves. Though Kids Unlimited or schools can’t make up for problems at home, they can offer after-school programs that provide kids with an alternative to walking the streets and getting into mischief. "That’s why after-school programs are so important," he said. Kids Unlimited’s program for middle school children runs from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. weekdays. Once Kids Unlimited builds a gymnasium at its new location on Riverside Avenue, Cole hopes to offer midnight basketball to entice youths who might otherwise be out on the street. "We have to be real creative about how we lure them in," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Free Music Downloads Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg diamonds Distance Education Diamonds Online Poker Auto Insurance Mesothelioma Slippers Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation teleconferencing Website Design & Marketing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Mortgage Calculator Free Home-Loan Referrals Payday Loans Advertisement s