Gangs Hit Schools and Communities Fight Back

A mid-year news review shows districts taking action against a new wave of gang fights, stabbings, and murders in schools across the nation.

December 18, 2009 - Gang-Related School Incidents and Response: Selected Fall Semester News Stories

Texas
Gang crime not on rise (Abilene, TX): While Abilene's gang activity has come into the spotlight with recent drive-by shootings and the beating of a Cooper High student in the school bathroom as part of a possible gang initiation, police say local gang crime isn't necessarily on the rise.
Source: Abiliene Reporter-News    Date: December 9, 2009
http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/dec/09/police-gang-crime-not-on-rise/

Illinois
Teen shot on busy street in Logan Square (Chicago, IL): Jeremy Gonzalez had just tried to re-enroll in middle school Tuesday morning when he was shot in the head while walking home with his mother along a busy street in Logan Square, according to his family and law-enforcement sources.
Source: Chicago Tribune    Date: December 9, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-teen-shot-09-dec09,0,5589991.story

California
Riverside's new gang approach is reaching out to grade schoolers (Riverside, CA): Riverside civic and law enforcement leaders plan to change the typical gang intervention, with its focus on children middle school-age and older, to offer what they call one of the nation's first deterrent programs targeting students as young as kindergarten.
Source: The Press-Enterprise    Date: December 8, 2009
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_W_gangs09.46b683e.html

Oregon
Group requests that Medford high schools consider uniforms to curb gang violence (Medford, OR): Some Medford families think uniforms at high schools could help reduce gang activity. Last month 17 Hispanic families sent a letter to the Medford School Board asking them to require uniforms at Medford high schools.
Source: KDRV 12 News    Date: December 7, 2009
http://kdrv.com/page/153473

California
Six arrested after beating on high school campus (Redwood City, CA): Redwood City police have arrested six students after a 16-year-old student was beaten on the campus of Sequoia High School last week.
Source: The Mercury News    Date: November 22, 2009
http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_13846341

Nevada
Officials focus on Las Vegas gang violence (Las Vegas, NV): The murder of Officer Trevor Nettleton is shedding light on the dangers of gangs. Experts say the gang culture is found in every Las Vegas high school -- even elementary schools.
Source: KLAS 8 News    Date: November 21, 2009
http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11549688

Massachusetts
Boston police call Dorchester shooting gang-related (Dorchester, MA): Boston police will increase patrols and are asking for the public's help in stemming a wave of gang violence in Dorchester that has spilled over into a Boston elementary school that serves as a community center after-hours.
Source: The Boston Herald    Date: November 18, 2009
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/11/boston_police_c_6.html

Texas
Mexican drug cartels recruiting TX teens (Texas): Authorities are warning northern Texas parents that Mexican drug cartels are recruiting new soldiers and killers through gangs at border-area schools and possibly throughout the state.
Source: The Dallas Morning News    Date: November 18, 2009
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D9C1N24O2.html

Tennessee
East Ridge students arrested, potential 'gang fight' thwarted (Chattanooga, TN): Two East Ridge students have been arrested on weapons violations after a threatened "gang fight" at the school.
Source: WTVC NewsChannel 9    Date: November 13, 2009
http://www.newschannel9.com/news/students-986397-school-fight.html

Tennessee
Maury County cracks down on gang hairstyles (Columbia, TN): Maury County school administrators have sent letters to parents telling them that students are banned from shaving numbers or symbols into their hair.
Source: WSMV 4 News    Date: November 10, 2009
http://www.wsmv.com/news/21570729/detail.html

Texas
TX officials say 11 students arrested for riot (Pharr, TX): Eleven students including six juveniles are accused of participating in a gang-related riot at a Pharr alternative high school.
Source: The Houston Chronicle    Date: November 9, 2009
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6712359.html

California
His mission: Get the word out on Modesto's gangs (Modesto, CA): A mother of three stood in the Tuolumne Elementary School cafeteria with her arms crossed, her bottom lip almost quivering and her voice filled with desperation.
Source: The Modesto Bee    Date: November 8, 2009
http://www.modbee.com/featured/story/925169.html

Maryland
JMB fight part of gang war, police say (Salisbury, MD): When school bus No. 70 drove away from James M. Bennett High School at 3:05 p.m. Thursday, the 45 students on board didn't know the yellow and black bus would serve as a moving target.
Source: The Daily Times    Date: November 7, 2009
http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20091107/NEWS01/911070332/1002/JMB-fight-part-of-gang-war--police-say

California
D.A. offers gang help to schools (Palm Desert, CA): Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco called school administrators from across the Coachella Valley together Thursday for a first-of-its-kind anti-gang summit.
Source: The Desert Sun    Date: November 6, 2009
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20091106/NEWS0801/911060308/1006/news01/D.A.+offers+gang+help+to+schools

Maryland
Banding together against gangs (Anne Arundel County, MD): Parents of west county students have resolved to squash gangs in their schools before the problem reaches the tragic proportions of other areas besieged by youth violence.
Source: The Capital    Date: November 2, 2009
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2009/11/02-37/Banding-together-against-gangs.html

Texas
New law makes schools, playgrounds gang free zones (Corpus Christi, TX): A new law has given authorities more tools to fight gangs, including increasing the penalties for committing gang-related crimes near places like schools, playgrounds and youth centers.
Source: Caller-Times    Date: November 2, 2009
http://www.caller.com/news/2009/nov/02/new-law-makes-schools-playgrounds-gang-free/

California
Pico Sheriff's station focuses on graffiti, tagging (Pico Rivera, CA): The baby-faced teenager walking home from school wearing a black backpack looked like any other high school student.
Source: Whittier Daily News    Date: November 1, 2009
http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_13689824

Massachusetts
Lynn student charged in attack (Lynn, MA): A 16-year-old Lynn Classical High School student was charged yesterday with armed assault with intent to murder and other charges in connection with a gang-related stabbing just off school grounds that left four other students injured Thursday, according to authorities.
Source: The Boston Globe    Date: October 31, 2009
http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2009/10/31/lynn_student_charged_in_attack/

California
Salinas police arrest two in Archer Street gang homicides (Salinas, CA): Extensive detective work, along with witnesses' help, led to the arrest of two Salinas teenagers in the fatal shooting of an Alisal High School sophomore and Salinas Community School student, police announced Friday.
Source: The Californian    Date: October 31, 2009
http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20091031/NEWS01/910310302/1002/Salinas-police-arrest-2-in-Archer-Street-gang-homicides

New Jersey
Newark teen assaulted outside of Oliver Street School (Newark, NJ): David Quinones Jr., 14, was walking away from Oliver Street School in Newark and headed home when he saw another kid looking at him intently.
Source: The Star-Ledger    Date: October 30, 2009
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/10/newark_teen_assaulted_outside.html

North Carolina
CMS tackles gangs (Charlotte, NC): One way Charlotte - Mecklenburg school district (CMS) is snuffing out gangs is to give students more alternatives.
Source: WBTV     Date: October 27, 2009
http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11395183

Virginia
In N.Va., mixed news about gang activity (Virginia): Serious gang-related crime in Northern Virginia has dropped since 2004, but officials are concerned that middle schools are emerging as epicenters of gang activity and recruitment, according to a report from the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force.
Source: The Washington Post    Date: October 27, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/26/AR2009102603038.html

California
Gang member wanted in fatal stabbing fled to Mexico, Santa Cruz police say (Santa Cruz, CA): The documented gang member wanted in the slaying of a Santa Cruz High School junior earlier this month likely fled the country, police said Monday.
Source: Contra Costa Times    Date: October 26, 2009
http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_13646862?nclick_check=1

South Carolina
Are there gangs in our schools? (Anderson County, SC): How big a presence gangs have in Anderson County schools depends on whom you ask. Some school district officials say there are no gangs in their schools.
Source: Anderson Independent-Mail    Date: October 26, 2009
http://www.independentmail.com/news/2009/oct/26/are-there-gangs-our-schools/

South Carolina
Anderson teens share gang experiences, difficulty of getting out (Anderson County, SC): Former students of Anderson County schools now attending the Anderson County Alternative School said gangs here are not social clubs.
Source: Anderson Independent-Mail    Date: October 26, 2009
http://www.independentmail.com/news/2009/oct/26/anderson-teens-share-gang-experiences-difficulty-g/

Alabama
Councilman vows to fight gang activity (Montgomery, AL): Gang activity, in its various forms, has crept into the com­munity, and a Montgomery city councilman hopes an aware­ness campaign in the schools will help minimize the damage being done to students.
Source: Montgomery Advertiser    Date: October 25, 2009
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20091025/NEWS01/910250352/Councilman+vows+to+fight+gang+activity

Minnesota
Gang member gets nine years for stabbing rival near St. Paul school (St. Paul, MN): A Surenos 13 gang member who stabbed a rival gang member last summer near Arlington High School in St. Paul was sentenced Friday to more than nine years in prison.
Source: Star Tribune    Date: October 23, 2009
http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/65879522.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

New York
Grant fuels gang resistance (Albany, NY): Albany schools are using part of a $6 million federal grant to start a gang-prevention program for sixth graders.
Source: The Times-Union    Date: October 22, 2009
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=855673

Tennessee
Nashville safe school forum addresses reality of gangs, violence (Nashville, TN): The question gets repetitive for Alivia Jones, a sophomore at Antioch High School. "What set are you from?" ask classmates and acquaintances about whether Jones has gang affiliations.
Source: The Tennessean    Date: October 21, 2009
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20091021/NEWS04/910210397/1970

Texas
Deputies cite girl gangs at Manor High (Manor, TX): The fights at Manor High School on Monday that prompted Travis County sheriff's deputies to take 10 students into custody were spurred by strife between two rival female "crews," according to arrest affidavits.
Source: Austin American-Statesman    Date: October 21, 2009
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/2009/10/21/1021manorhs.html

California
Santa Cruz officials plan meeting on gang violence in wake of fatal stabbing (Santa Cruz, CA): In the wake of a fatal stabbing that took the life of a Santa Cruz High School junior, city police and school officials announced Monday they will host a community meeting about gang violence Wednesday evening.
Source: The Mercury News    Date: October 20, 2009
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_13600953?nclick_check=1#

Connecticut
Hartford superintendent says reports of gangs at school inaccurate (Hartford, CT): Superintendent Steven Adamowski, in an e-mail sent to school board members and other officials Friday, said that reports of gang activity in the city schools are "inaccurate."
Source: Hartford Courant    Date: October 20, 2009
http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-hartford-gang-adamowski.artoct20,0,2837978.story

Connecticut
Hartford has 'gang infestation' (Hartford, CT): An internal police memorandum says Hartford has a "gang infestation" crisis that includes an alarming increase in gang activity at the city's middle schools.
Source: Hartford Courant    Date: October 16, 2009
http://www.courant.com/news/local/statewire/hc-ap-ct-hartfordgangsoct16,0,349992.story

Illinois
The gantlet (Chicago, IL): Before they crack a textbook or enter a school's doors, most public high school students in Chicago have already taken their first test of the day.
Source: Chicago Tribune    Date: October 16, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-safe-passage-intro-16-oct16,0,4133626.story

Connecticut
Hartford Police memo cites 'alarming increase' in gang recruitment in schools (Hartford, CT): The city is suffering from a "gang infestation," with more than 138 street gangs and 4,000 members, including 800 under age 17, according to an internal police memorandum obtained by The Courant.
Source: Hartford Courant    Date: October 16, 2009
http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-hartford-gangs-1016.artoct16,0,3887593.story

Tennessee
Antioch High student arrested in gang-related fatal shooting (Antioch, TN): A 17-year-old Antioch High School senior has been arrested in what police are calling the gang-related fatal shooting of a man walking near the Nashboro Village golf course last week.
Source: The Tennessean    Date: October 14, 2009
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20091014/NEWS03/910140408/2066/Antioch+High+student+arrested+in+gang-related+fatal+shooting

California
13-year-old El Monte boy brings guns to school after racial harassment by street gang (El Monte, CA): A 13-year-old black child who was being harassed by Latino gang members was arrested after he brought loaded guns to school to defend himself, police said.
Source: Pasadena Star-News    Date: October 9, 2009
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_13528363

District of Columbia
11 Ballou students arrested in gang feud (Washington, DC): Nearly a dozen youths were arrested Wednesday morning at Ballou High School in Anacostia after an ongoing feud between street gangs spilled into the building.
Source: The Washington Times    Date: October 8, 2009
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/08/11-students-at-ballou-arrested-for-gang-activity/?feat=home_headlines

North Carolina
Gang threat in schools overstated, group says (Greensboro, NC): The issue of gangs in schools may be less of a threat than some people believe, according to one group’s findings. The School Safety Committee, formed and led by Guilford County Board of Education member Deena Hayes, has spent the past two years collecting information about gangs and safety issues in schools.
Source: News & Record    Date: October 7, 2009
http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/10/06/article/gang_threat_in_schools_overstated_group_says

Arizona
Teenager faces murder charges in stabbing case (Mesa, AZ): A 17-year-old gang member faces second-degree murder for allegedly stabbing a 15-year-old rival member to death during school last week.
Source: The Arizona Republic     Date: September 28, 2009
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/09/28/20090928murdercharges0929.html

Florida
Gang recruitment videos prompt police search, arrest (Gainesville, FL): The first gang-related search warrant in Alachua County was executed Wednesday morning at a house a few blocks from Norton Elementary School.
Source: The Gainesville Sun    Date: September 23, 2009
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090923/ARTICLES/909239967/1002?Title=Gang-recruitment-videos-prompt-police-search-arrest

Virginia
Conviction is a first for fast-growing Portsmouth gang (Portsmouth, VA): A 19-year-old Chesapeake man was found guilty Tuesday of the May 1 gang-related robbery of an I.C. Norcom High School student.
Source: The Virginian-Pilot    Date: September 23, 2009
http://hamptonroads.com/2009/09/conviction-first-fastgrowing-portsmouth-gang

California
Sacramento schools receive grant for gang prevention (Sacramento, CA): A $500,000 grant in federal funds for the Sacramento City Unified School District to keep teens away from gang involvement was announced today by Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento.
Source: The Sacramento Bee    Date: September 22, 2009
http://www.sacbee.com/latest/story/2200615.html?storylink=lingospot

California
Police arrest two in connection with Deer Valley High shooting (Antioch, CA): Police have arrested two suspects in connection with Wednesday's drive-by shooting that wounded a Deer Valley High School student near campus.
Source: Contra Costa Times    Date: September 17, 2009
http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_13359301?nclick_check=1

California
Police arrest two in connection with shooting at Antioch high school (Antioch, CA): Police have arrested two suspects in connection with Wednesday's drive-by shooting that wounded a Deer Valley High School student near campus.
Source: Contra Costa Times    Date: September 17, 2009
http://www.contracostatimes.com/bay-area-news/ci_13359301

Georgia
Officials say gang 'beat-in' stopped at West Hall High (Gainesville, GA): Four teenage girls were charged as juveniles with committing gang activity after they were caught beating another girl in a bathroom at West Hall High School as part of a gang initiation, officials said.
Source: The Times    Date: September 17, 2009
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/23625/

Illinois
Teen charged in Bolingbrook High stabbing (Bolingbrook, IL): A 15-year-old student is in custody facing charges of aggravated battery after allegedly stabbing another student in what police say was a gang-related fight Tuesday at Bolingbrook High School.
Source: Daily Herald    Date: September 15, 2009
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=321529

Illinois
Teen stabbed at suburban high school (Bolingbrook, IL): A student at a suburban Chicago high school was stabbed several times during a fight in a bathroom.
Source: Chicago Tribune    Date: September 15, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-studentstabbed,0,4078337.story

Michigan
Students say 16-year-old arrested in Creston High School shooting fired warning shot as rival gang members approached (Grand Rapids, MI): Expecting to get jumped by rival gang members as school let out Monday, a 16-year-old Creston High School student left campus earlier in the day to get a gun to protect himself, classmates said.
Source: The Grand Rapids Press    Date: September 14, 2009
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/09/students_say_16yearold_arreste.html

California
Taggers keep San Bernardino school police busy (San Bernardino, CA): Taggers leave few spots unmarked on and around San Bernardino school campuses. Scrawled pen and crew names decorate curbs, sidewalks and tree trunks.
Source: The Press-Enterprise    Date: September 12, 2009
http://www.pe.com/localnews/sbcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_N_ncampus13.4902558.html

California
Gonzales district holds workshop on gang apparel (Gonzales, CA): Parents and students gathered Thursday night to find out why Mickey Mouse is banned from local schools.
Source: The Californian    Date: September 11, 2009
http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20090911/NEWS01/909110323/1002/Gonzales-district-holds-workshop-on-gang-apparel

Illinois
Students blame gangs for lockdown in Rantoul (Rantoul, IL) : Students in Rantoul say there's a gang problem at their high school. Rantoul Township High School was put on lock down Tuesday.
Source: WCIA 3 News    Date: September 8, 2009
http://illinoishomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=105132

Washington
Teens detained in possible gang-related confrontation at Wa-Hi (Walla Walla, WA): Two teens were taken to the Juvenile Justice Center after a possible gang-related confrontation Tuesday at Walla Walla High School.
Source: Walla Walla Union-Bulletin    Date: September 3, 2009
http://www.union-bulletin.com/articles/2009/09/03/local_news/090903local88.txt

Minnesota
St. Paul gang stabbing brings guilty plea (St. Paul, MN): Israel Flores, a Sureno 13 gang member, pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree assault in the June 22 stabbing of a rival gang member near Arlington High School in St. Paul.
Source: Star Tribune    Date: September 1, 2009
http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/56673962.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

New Mexico
Two brothers suspended for flashing "peace" sign (Albuquerque, NM): Two Albuquerque brothers are suspended from school after officials said they flashed gang signs during a football game last Friday.
Source: The Daily Times    Date: September 1, 2009
http://www.daily-times.com/farmington-news/ci_13245884

Georgia
Gang alert issued at schools (Albany, GA): An alert originally sent out to students at one Albany college Wednesday morning was broadened to include all four Albany high schools and Albany State University by the end of the day in what police are now saying could be a possible gang initiation.
Source: The Albany Herald    Date: August 27, 2009
http://albanyherald.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=6047

Washington
Gang awareness classes give teachers upper hand (Pasco, WA): Taking back their schools and going after gangs. It's been a growing local problem. We wanted to know what type of gang prevention our local schools have.
Source: KEPR 19 News    Date: August 27, 2009
http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/55515022.html

Utah
No gangs allowed in Orem parks, schools (Orem, UT): Orem's parks and public schools are now officially off limits to gang members for use as hangouts. The City Council unanimously approved a resolution establishing the parks and school grounds as non-loitering zones for gang members.
Source: The Salt Lake Tribune    Date: August 26, 2009
http://www.sltrib.com/closeup/ci_13209141

California
Injunction creates gang-free zone around Los Angeles school (Los Angeles, CA): Fighting to protect students facing "wanton gang violence," Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich have won a court-ordered preliminary injunction creating a 1.4 square-mile gang-free zone around Fremont High School in Los Angeles.
Source: Imperial Valley News    Date: August 25, 2009
http://www.imperialvalleynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6636&Itemid=1

Source: National Gang Center (U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance). To assist you in assessing your community's gang problem and planning strategies to deal with it, the National Gang Center makes available a 4-part online Strategic Planning Tool. Visit http://www.iir.com/nygc/tool/ to access this resource and apply for a free password-protected account for your community. Also, visit http://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/Funding for Federal funding opportunities.