Tag Archives: gangs

The League of Women Voters sponsored an  informative program on gang activity. The Dare Community Crimeline is a network of investigative agencies working to combat drugs, gangs, violence and other crimes.  The Drug Enforcement Task Force, a relatively new program has been pro-active in its endeavors. By definition, according to Sgt. Henderson of the KDH police department, a criminal street gang may be defined as a group of three or more individuals with intent to create a felony or violent misdemeanor, and who has a common name and common identity.  Members wear assigned colors and utilize symbols in identifying their gang.  The hard core gang member does not accept any authority other than the gang.  One of the reasons for gang activity here on the Outer Banks is the profit being made from selling drugs. The very make up of our communities with hotels, motels, rental properties make it easier to hide the traffic in drugs.

Kevin Brinkley, Chief of Police, Nags Head,  posted January 21, on OBX Connection:

Kevin Brinkley, Chief of Police, Nags Head,  posted January 21, on OBX Connection:

 

I have received numerous calls of concern regarding a presentation on gang awareness, given on January 16th, by the Kill Devil Hills Police Department. The information presented at this meeting is correct in that law enforcement has encountered gang members in Dare County over the last 12 months and most of these individuals were from the Elizabeth City area. There seems to be an impression gang members are the primary perpetrators of crime within our community. To date, the Nags Head Police Department can show no statistically relevant correlation between residential burglaries and gangs. 

Elizabeth City has experienced gang related criminal activity in the past and it’s understood some of these individuals frequent Dare County. All local law enforcement agencies are striving to educate our officers on recognizing gang methodology, in order to deter gangs from our area. The Nags Head Police Department believes the best way for citizens and visitors to protect themselves against property crimes is by using the following basic crime prevention techniques:

• Lock their vehicles when unattended 
• Store valuables out of sight 
• All exterior doors and windows need to remain locked 
• Security lighting should be installed on exterior of residence, etc. 

Citizens should not panic or be overly concerned with the information that was shared during the meeting on Monday night. The message was only intended to provide information on this issue, to remind everyone to be observant/vigilant in their daily routine and to ask for the community’s assistance by reporting all suspicious activity. If you should have additional questions or concerns regarding this issue please feel free to contact me personally.   (252)441-6386

 

Several weeks ago, CommonGood published a link to

about North Carolina Gangs

the Governor’s Crime Commission North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety report on Gangs in North Carolina, March 2011.  This well written document explains the complexities of counting numbers of games as well as the various demographics of gang make-up. Check it out.