Community leaders, law enforcement officers and local educators in the Hunter Mill District gathered at Langston Hughes Middle School last Wednesday to discuss escalating gang activity and rising youth violence in area schools.
Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) told the crowd of roughly 60 concerned residents how excited she was for the new school year. "The first day of school is a time for great excitement and great expectations," the Hunter Mill Supervisor said. "But there are challenges out there. It takes more than just family and school to create a safe environment for our children. It takes the whole community. We cannot ignore gang violence. It is something we have to talk about and be up front about."
Deborah Jackson, principal of Langston Hughes, led the meeting of the Community Focus Group, a coalition of nearly 70 educators, youth-service, law enforcement, community leaders and organizations in the Reston-Herndon area. Fairfax County School Board Chairman Stu Gibson and Mike Vencak, the newly appointed commander of the Reston District Police Station were also on hand to talk about the problem. "Our number one biggest problem is denial," Jackson said, echoing Hudgin's comments. "Look at what your kids are drawing, the first sign of gang activity is usually graffiti."
Det. Michael Porter of the gang unit of the Fairfax County Police told the crowd that he has seen gangs in other parts of the county recruit new members as early as the first grade. Porter prefaced his remarks by saying he had seen gang graffiti in the Langston Hughes boy's bathroom before Wednesday night's meeting. "These latchkey kids are going home and gang members see them and say, 'hey, come with us,'" Porter said. "To these kids, it is a family that they may not have at home."
Taggers, or graffiti artists, like to keep records of their work, Det. Richard McEachin said. He encouraged parents to be vigilant in watching keeping up with the lives of their children. "If you have any doubts about your kids," the gang unit officer said, "give us a call."
It's not a crime to be a gang member, McEachin said. "What is important is that we intercede before the homicides and robberies start. We must work with the schools and communities to develop more programs for latchkey kids."
Porter warned those in attendance not to stereotype children based on their clothes, but he did give clues that might signify gang activity. "Everybody these days wears baggy pants," Porter said.
Interrupting his partner, McEachin said: "Unfortunately, it's cool to be a thug."
"If you start seeing kids wearing the same jersey of some sports figure you have never heard of," McEachin said, "then you might be on to something. And if you kid comes home with the nickname 'Smoky,' know why he got that name. Check their school books for drawings."