Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies are looking for a few good men and women to become reporters of gang activity in a campaign to eradicate Northern Virginia of the trouble.
Congressman Frank Wolf (R-10) held a town meeting in Sterling last Wednesday to provide details about the area's estimated 20 gangs. Representatives of the FBI, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Gang Response and Intervention Team (GRIT), the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force, the Sheriff's Office and the Leesburg Police Department talked about the rising number of gang crimes, and prevention intervention efforts. More than 300 residents attended the forum.
GRIT Coordinator Dave Carver listed tips on how to keep youth away from gangs.
"You need to be the parents you swore you never would be when you were a kid, because you need to protect your kids," he said. "Don't be afraid to say, 'No.'"
LINDA CERNIGLIA, a GRIT investigator, said parents should be suspicious if their children have unexplained physical injuries — often incurred during initiations — unexplained cash, tattoos, new clothing or jewelry, attitude changes, unusual interest in gang life or a sudden change in friends. Children who break parental rules consistently, show no respect, seek privacy, or start using hand signs with friends may have joined a gang, she said.
An Ashburn mother, who asked not to be identified because her son is still attending high school, warned parents to pay attention. "I have a teenage boy involved in a homegrown gang," she said. "If you feel in your gut something isn't right, check it out."
She recalled feeling a sense of denial when her son came home with a tattoo. "Sometimes it is easier to say, 'I believe he isn't doing this,'" she said. "You have to check out their friends."
She said teenagers need as much of their parents' time as "the little ones do."
"I'm imploring you … to pay attention to your children."
Sheriff Steve Simpson described how gang members recruit students. "They prey on kids … who may not have direction," he said.
Not all children make the right decisions or ask the right questions, he said. Parents should be involved with their children everyday so they do not go somewhere else for answers.
"When it comes down to who has the biggest impact? It's us. It's the parents," he said.
Carver said parents need to know gang-related clothing and markings and discuss proper ways to deal with conflict, hate and racism.
"Listen, really listen, to the lyrics of the music that your child listens to and discuss them," he said. "Supervise your child's TV watching and make time to watch selected programs together."
He also suggested that mothers and fathers take parenting classes. He advocated an end to "latch-key kids," children who are left home alone after school.
A.J. TURNER, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, explained how gangs have mushroomed in Northern Virginia. They migrate from other areas, such as Los Angeles, Miami and Houston, to avoid apprehension or retribution from other gangs, he said. Another reason is to take advantage of drug markets, where they have less competition.
The gangs are involved in drug and weapons trafficking, intimidation, burglaries, money laundering, credit-card fraud, extortion, fights, shootings and murder, he said. Mara Salvatrucha or MS-13, Asian criminal enterprises and outlaw motorcyclists are among the gangs that have taken residence here.
He described the MS-13 gang as a "growing and emerging crime problem that the FBI considers significant."
Wolf said it is unacceptable for anybody to live in fear of violence. He vowed to keep working to push the gangs out of the area. As chairman of the House panel that oversees the Justice Department budget, he has succeeded in acquiring nearly $9 million in federal funding to fight gang violence.
TURNER ASKED the community to work with all of the law enforcement agencies in reporting gang activity. "I speak with passion when I speak about this … I cannot stress how important it is … your participation," he said.
Cerniglia said residents can help by reporting graffiti that gangs use to mark their territories. She referred to the graffiti as the "newspaper of the street," because it provides information about the specific gangs based on its symbols and colors.
John Malone with the ATF Washington Field Office said the agencies need to take the violent gangs off the streets as soon as possible. "We cannot do it alone. We can't be everywhere," he said. "You are the first line of defense. You are our eyes, and you definitely are our ears."
Hampton Dowling, a Cascades Homeowner's Association board member, suggested that the agencies work with HOAs on prevention and intervention. "If you are looking for a conduit … in a way that's different from the schools … we as board members, at least once a month, we connect with every home. It's a requirement. It may be an opportunity for you."
Michael Meader of the South Townhouses HOA in Sterling Park, said his complex had the highest crime level in the county until the HOA started working with law-enforcement officials. "Since then, our crime rate is almost zero," he said.
Richard Raybold of Great Falls said he moved to Northern Virginia 1952. The gang situation has gotten worse since then, and part of the problem is the rise in the immigrant population. "I see more and more that they are not merging into the community."
He blamed the situation on people ostracizing the newcomers. "That is one thing we need to pay attention to," he said.
JUAN PACHECO, a former gang member who now works with Barrios Unidos, said communities need to provide activities, jobs and other services for its youth. "We don't offer them anything to make them feel empowered," he said. "You can't just give flyers or say, 'You join, you lose.' You have to motivate."
Gangs are making inroads because pre-teens and teenagers are not getting the love and support they need from home, he said. When Pacheco joined a gang, the members promised to be his brothers and sisters for life.
Prevention is key, he said. "We need to go out and give our young people a hug."
Barrios Unidos is a nonprofit organization aimed at preventing gang violence.
Kevin Sanchez, a Barrios Unidos community advocate, said the region needs neighborhood centers to target at-risk teens.
Herndon Police Chief Toussaint Summers Jr., head of the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force, agreed. "One community center is not enough to reach all of the youth," he added.
The HOAs could help by creating activities to keep youth out of trouble, he said.
Leesburg Police Chief Joe Price said part of the solution is having multiple agencies working together on suppression, prevention and intervention, with a greater emphasis on the latter two aspects.
Summers said the crackdown on gangs during the past two years has resulted in 760 arrests, of which 275 were felonies. He could not say how many crimes were prevented. "I'm sure we have had some success," he said. "The fact that you are here, I'm encouraged."