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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Cities across the USA fight to control street gangs
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www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-04/gang-activity-violence-rises/...
1 day ago ... The recent surge in street violence underscores a continuing national struggle to control criminal gangs.
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As I read the USA story in yesterday's story, the sub-title caught my eye. It read "Numbers grow despite falling violent crime". The story featured two large cities, Chicago and Houston, and stated the number of cities reporting gang activity increased fron 25% in 2005 to 34 % in 2010.
An April report by the National Gang Center was quoted as saying "At a time when most cities are experiencing their lowest levels of violent crimein a quarter of century, gang activity remains a potent problem".
I entered the phrase "violent crime in America" and had page after page that stated violent crime in America was on a dramatic decline. So why is violence on the increase in Flint?
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Wed Jun 06, 2012 1:05 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Wed Jun 06, 2012 12:19 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Many of these articles cited major reasons for the decline in violent crime.
* Increased incarceration was a common theme based on the premise that longer sentences kept the criminals off the streets. ( the three strike laws were said to be ineffective.)
* The graying of America- The baby boomers are all past 50 and young people commit crimes.
* The slowing down of the crack epidemic as a cheper form of cocaine
* improved policing techniques, or the replacement of push pins by computers that can map crime "hot spots".
* proactive policing and the use of cameras that record criminal activity. Also after school programs that provide youth activities.
* community policing along the "broken window" sociological construct. When the small problems in a neighborhood are fixed, you can prevent the big stuff, |
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Wed Jun 06, 2012 12:31 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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I remember reading this CNN story and other stories about the increase in violent street gangs in the late 1990's and again there were the assertions that violent crime was declining.
That was also about the time Genesee County Prosecutor Art Busch conducted the first nationwide RICO (racketeering) case against an organized street gang. He targeted the Chicago based Cobra gang.
b]
Youth gangs no longer just a big city problem[/b]
April 23, 1997
Gangs have for years been a problem in Los Angeles, where they account for about half of the citys murders. But gangs are now responsible for 41 percent of the homicides in Omaha, Nebraska; driveby shootings rose 3,000 percent in Wichita, Kansas from 1991 to 1993; and Oklahoma City is home to 80 separate gangs. In Wichita, there were eight driveby shootings in 1991 and 267 in 1993, but the number decreased in the following years.
Violent street gangs are now operating in 94 percent of all medium and largesized cities. But even in cities where residents are accustomed to leaving their doors unlocked, gang crime has become a menace.
The small cities and towns of 25,000 and less are experiencing gang activity now, according to Steven Wiley, the FBI chief overseeing the fight against violent crime.
Despite the overall drop in the crime rate nationally, the problem of violent street gangs is an unwelcome exception, Wiley said. Gang membership has grown to more than 600,000 nationwide.
The territorial expansion of gangs show they now resemble organizedcrime syndicates more than small, romanticized neighborhood street toughs, like those once portrayed in West Side Story, Sen. Orrin Hatch, RUtah, said during Senate hearings on gang violence.
The Judiciary Committee chairman is cosponsoring the proposed federal Gang Violence Act of 1997, which would provide 20 million to expand federal prosecution of gang members and allow for the forfeiture of gangrelated assets. It also would toughen penalties for convictions, including a fouryear mandatory minimum sentence for recruiting a minor.
This isnt pennyante crime, said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the California Democrat who also is sponsoring the bill. Gang violence is now more serious in this country than organized crime.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, expressed shock at the level of gang activity that has invaded his traditionally lowcrime state. What are they doing in my state he asked.
Part of the answer is family migration. When a young gang member moves from a city such as Los Angeles or Chicago to a small community, hell be revered in that community, David Gonzales, commander of the Arizona State Gang Task Force, said. He has instant credibility, and boom, you have an instant gang.
Wiley said the first signs of migration from large cities were detected in the late 1980s, and set in motion violence and antiauthority defiance among youths in other areas.
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Wed Jun 06, 2012 12:40 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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In a recent Christian Science Monitor story they quoted Richard Rosenfield of the American Society of Criminology, U of Missouri in St Louis as saying crime will go up. Violent crime went up in New York 5% in 2010.
There is an increased threat to our police officers that they may die in the line of duty. The national law Enforcement Officer memorial Fund recently released data reflecting a 37 % increase in the number of officers killed in the line of duty. They attributed the increase to :
* fewer officers doing more work
* more distracted officers on the highway making traffic control more dangerous
* heightened tensions between the criminal and the police |
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Wed Jun 06, 2012 12:47 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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The increased violence in Chicago during the Memorial Day weekend was the subject of numerous national news stories. There were at least 40 shootings and 10 deaths in Chicago during this time.
Chicago has had over 200 murders this year so far and the USA Today story attributes 80 % of those murders to gangs. Robert Tracy of Chicago's Crime Control Strategies went on national tv and is quoted in this article as he discussed the changes in the gang structure. Chicago has approximately 59 established ghangs. The youth have split from these established gang and splintered into almost 600 subgroups. The authorities cite turf wars and the fight for these newer groups to assert their newfound authority as causes for the increased gangwars.
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Wed Jun 06, 2012 6:52 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Wed Jun 06, 2012 12:57 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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James "Buddy' Howell, a senior research associate at the National Gang Center, was quoted in the USA Today article. "Gangs have become so entrenched in some of the nation's largest cities that gang-related crime is largely immune from forces that have been driving down overall crime".
"There are some dynamics in gangs that just don't change and are transmitted across generations", said Howell. He cited the turf battles and the internal struggle for control. |
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Wed Jun 06, 2012 1:02 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Houston was the second city addressed in the story by USA Today. Houston police estimate 200 gangs and 10,000 alleged gang members. The murder rate ths year is 83 up from 74 this time last year. The first five months of 2010 had 114 murders.
Houston Police state 20% of the 2012 murders have links to gang activity. Hoston is part of Harris County. The District Attorney for Harris County, Patricia Lykos, announced last month a $1.7 million anti-gang initiative that is being developed to disrupt "an increasingly sophisticated network in which street gangs have joined forces with international groups including drug cartels and human trafficking organizations". |
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Wed Jun 06, 2012 1:16 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Chicago has been employing a system of Ceasefire. Ceasefire has not been dramatically successful here but that has not stopped the local politicians, including Mike Brown and Police Chief Lock, from touting the program as part of their crime fighting arsenal.
Whe I looked at the criminal histories of the recently arrested and re-arrested Howard Boys, I was struck by the large number of possession and trafficking charges for cocaine. Cocaine does not grow in Michigan, so what is the delivery system that supplied this and other gangs?
People I have spoken to from the area around the Zimmerman Center describe the large number of suburban youth buying drugs from houses in their neighborhoods. Other areas describe the same thing.
After the rash of heroin deaths in Fenton, the Sheriff"s former Posse unit arrested Flint heroin dealers in a Burton Coney Island parking lot. Recently Swartz Creek arrested a Flint drug dealer. I am told drug dealers sell their wares in the Grand Blanc School parking lot.
While the city may be a hub for the distribution of drugs, at least a large portion of that distribution is fueled by the suburban demand for those drugs. |
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Wed Jun 06, 2012 1:28 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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quote:
untanglingwebs schreef:
Many of these articles cited major reasons for the decline in violent crime.
* Increased incarceration was a common theme based on the premise that longer sentences kept the criminals off the streets. ( the three strike laws were said to be ineffective.)
* The graying of America- The baby boomers are all past 50 and young people commit crimes.
* The slowing down of the crack epidemic as a cheper form of cocaine
* improved policing techniques, or the replacement of push pins by computers that can map crime "hot spots".
* proactive policing and the use of cameras that record criminal activity. Also after school programs that provide youth activities.
* community policing along the "broken window" sociological construct. When the small problems in a neighborhood are fixed, you can prevent the big stuff,
** Michigan has eliminated prisons and prison jobs. So this factor is not in play in Michigan. I recently read an article stating our state was having problems dealing with the recidivism rate among recently released prisoners.
** Many of Flint's seniors have left and every day I hear seniors tell me their families want them to leave Flint and live with them because their families fear for their safety. In many areas, the homes left by dying seniors are homes the children don't want, so they add to the list of vacant and abandoned homes.
There are no jobs and no activities for our youth.
** As evidenced in recent sentencings, the cocaine epidemis is alive and well. Now we are hearing about the so called designer drugs, such as bath salts, etc. These are sold over the counter and reports of their serious and detrimental effects are appalling. Look at the guy high on bath salts that ate another man's face.
** improved policing techniques haven't been employed in their totality in Flint. Thanks to Michigan State, some new techniques are about to be employed, but under lock we stayed behind the times. Not enough cameras and the personnel to review them. Too few bodies to hit the streets and enforcement has been reactive and not proactive. Cuts in salary and benefits has led to early retirements and looking at job opportunities elsewhere..
** There has not been any true Community Policing in years because we simply do not have enough police to do the job. Small problems are raely addressed and municipal resources are haphazrdly used so they don't fix the big problrms. Community Police have routinely been pulled to answer priority one calls. |
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Wed Jun 06, 2012 8:17 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Michigan parole officers worry smaller staff could mean more public safety threats from ex-cons
Published: Monday, May 14, 2012, 6:45 AM
By Tim Martin | tmartin4@mlive.com
LANSING, MI - The union representing Michigan’s parole and probation officers says it’s worried a plan to leave 100 positions within its ranks unfilled will hurt public safety, allowing more ex-inmates to roam without adequate supervision.
The state government budget plan for next fiscal year, that likely will be approved this month by the state Legislature, would save $10 million by not filling some vacant positions in the probation and parole department. The plan calls for leaving 100 officer and 15 support staff positions unfilled in the budget year starting Oct. 1.
Gov. Rick Snyder’s administration says the state has about 70,000 parolees and probationers, down about 9 percent from two years ago. The administration says the state’s 1,300 parole and probation officers can handle that caseload without filling the vacant positions.
But officials with United Auto Workers Local 6000, representing the parole and probation officers, disagree.
“It would have a negative impact on public safety,” said Rick Michael, an officer speaking as a union representative for parole and probation officers in Macomb County. “Far too many dangerous people are being released from prison.”
Ex-cons and parole absconders have been linked to high profile violent crimes in Michigan within the past six months, including two charged in the November 2011 death of an 80-year-old Royal Oak woman. Two parole officers assigned to the absconders were suspended
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There's debate about whether parole officers in some cases are doing an inadequate job, or whether they're hamstrung by a system that has them monitoring too many parolees and limits their ability to send parole violators back to jail. Some officers say they’re being made to feel like scapegoats for shortcomings in state policy.
The Department of Corrections is auditing caseloads of officers to make sure they’re keeping up with drug tests, check-ins and other requirements for parolees and probationers. But the department appears confident the probation and parole caseload can be handled with its current staff.
Michigan’s prison population has dipped from about 51,500 in 2006 to under 44,000 today. The decline in prisoners initially led to a larger number of parolees in the state. But with paroles often expiring in two years or less, the number of parolees has dropped in the last couple of years.
“We hire parole and probation officers based on need,” said Russ Marlan, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Corrections and a former parole officer. “When you have a declining population, you don’t need as many officers. With parolees, we don’t expect the numbers to go up again.”
Republicans who lead the Michigan Legislature are taking the Department of Corrections at its word that parolees and probationers can be adequately supervised with existing staff. But they’re monitoring the situation.
“It’s like every facet of this budget,” said Sen. John Proos, a Republican from St. Joseph and chairman of the Senate’s appropriations subcommittee related to the Department of Corrections. “We need to keep an eye on the use of tax dollars.”
The Department of Corrections budget is roughly $2 billion a year. It costs about $32,800 a year to house one prisoner.
The state is searching for ways to lower the department’s costs. |
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Wed Jun 06, 2012 8:33 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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State Rep. Woodrow Stanley tells me the parolees are released into the zip code they were living in when incarcerated. Because of the disproportionate number of african-americans being incarcerated, they are being released into neighborhoods with no employment opportunities and few if any job skills.
Michigan is creating a jobs program for returning veterans, which is great. But there are fewer jobs for our youth and even fewer for ex-cons. The north end is dying a slow death. |
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Wed Jun 06, 2012 8:41 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Michigan.gov Home MSP Home |
June 30, 2011 - 62 Arrested in Two-Day Warrant Sweep in Flint; Area Law Enforcement Joins MSP and Attorney General in Taking Back the Streets
Contact: See contact information below.
FLINT. In an effort to improve safety and decrease the crime rate, 61 officers from eight state, federal and local law enforcement agencies worked cooperatively on a fugitive sweep in the City of Flint this week aimed at arresting persons with outstanding warrants for violence, weapons and narcotics offenses.
A total of 62 fugitive felons were taken into custody and lodged in the Genesee County Jail, satisfying 129 outstanding arrest warrants
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"A critical step toward reinventing Michigan is making public safety in our communities a priority and ensuring jobs and opportunities," said Jeff Barnes, deputy chief of staff and public safety group executive for Gov. Rick Snyder. "We will leverage state resources and work cooperatively with communities like Flint to reduce crime and protect citizens. We are very proud of the men and women in law enforcement who participated in this critical sweep, and thank both local and federal partners for their hard work and commitment. Criminals should take this action as a clear warning: there is no safe haven and we will ensure our streets and neighborhoods are safe. Period."
"The crime problem plaguing the City of Flint is a direct result of the sheer volume of outstanding arrest warrants in Genesee County," stated Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the Michigan State Police. "At the direction of Governor Snyder, this two-day effort is just the beginning of an enhanced focus on the City of Flint for the Michigan State Police. So long as the ability to lodge arrestees in jail remains available, state troopers will be in the city arresting criminals and holding them accountable."
The most serious offenders arrested in the two-day effort that began on Tuesday included Coveno Alan Pierce, 7/21/1961, wanted for attempted murder and possession of cocaine; Nicholas Lee Stroud, 1/21/1990, wanted for arson; Johnny Verstell Ross, 8/28/1989, wanted for robbery; Rocklyn Alanson Thompson, 11/12/1973, wanted for felonious assault; and Akhir Shaheed Rimmer, 8/26/1992, wanted for breaking and entering.
"Thanks to the bravery of the law enforcement officers involved, we have taken over 60 criminals off the streets," Attorney General Bill Schuette said. "Today we have taken a step toward improving public safety for the families of Flint and we will continue our efforts because it is simply unacceptable for people to live in fear."
Agencies participating in the sweep included the Michigan State Police, Michigan Department of Corrections, Flint Police Department, Genesee County Sheriff's Department, Flint Township Police Department, Mt. Morris Township Police Department, Burton Police Department, FBI and U.S. Marshal Service. Prosecution will be handled by the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office with support from the Office of Attorney General.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Mr. John Sellek
Attorney General's Office
Phone: (517) 373-8060
Ms. Shannon Banner
Michigan State Police
Phone: (517) 241-0955 |
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Wed Jun 06, 2012 8:53 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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These fugitive task forces have been ongoing since 2003 under Granholm.
Over 200 Fugitives Arrested During 3-Day Sweep
Contact: Captain Annemarie H. Gibson, Michigan State Police, (734) 525-2560 or Russ Marlan, Michigan Department of Corrections, (517) 241-0363
State and local law enforcement officers arrested 214 fugitives during the latest Project S.A.F.E. (Statewide Apprehension of Fugitives Effort) Street sweep, conducted June 5 -7. The initiative is an ongoing effort of the Granholm Administration aimed at arresting violent parole absconders.
"Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement agencies, our communities are safer today," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. "Our message has been and continues to be clear: violent probationers and parolees who do no meet their responsibilities will not be allowed to threaten the safety of our children, our families or our communities."
Granholm established Project S.A.F.E. Street in 2003, in an effort to improve public safety in Michigan by encouraging the state's law enforcement agencies to work together. The initiative is a joint effort among the Michigan State Police (MSP), the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) and local and federal law enforcement to arrest violent offenders known to be in violation of parole and who pose a threat to public safety.
Of the 214 arrests, 80 were parole violators and 52 were parole absconders. The sweep included parole violations for assault and battery; armed robbery; breaking and entering; carrying a concealed weapon; home invasion; larceny; narcotics possession; and receiving and concealing stolen property. In addition to the arrests, officers recovered a stolen vehicle and seized nine grams of cocaine.
"The Michigan State Police remains relentless in our efforts to keep Michigan families safe by working with our law enforcement partners to remove dangerous offenders from the streets," said Colonel Peter C. Munoz, Director of the MSP.
The MSP and MDOC organized the June sweep with assistance from 23 county sheriff's departments, 32 local police departments, the U.S. Marshals Service, and a law enforcement agency in Florida.
"Agencies within the criminal justice system working together is the best way to keep our citizens and neighborhoods safe", said MDOC Director Patricia L. Caruso.
A total of 2,852 fugitives have been arrested since Project S.A.F.E. Street began in March 2003
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Wed Jun 06, 2012 8:59 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:06 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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We all remember this!
Population: 109,245
Violent Crime Per 1,000: 22
2010 Murders: 53
Median Income: $27,049 (46.1% below national average)
Unemployment Rate: 11.8% (2.8% above national average)
The number of violent crimes committed in Flint, MI, increased for all categories considered for this list between 2009 and 2010. Perhaps most notably, the number of murders in the city increased from 36 to 53. This moves the city from having the seventh highest rate of homicide to the second highest. The number of aggravated assaults increased from 1,529 to 1,579, a rate of 14.6 assaults per 1,000 residents, placing the city in the number one rank for rate of assaults. Flint police chief Alvern Lock stated late last year that he believed the city’s violence stemmed from drugs and gangs. Flint has a relatively small median income of about $27,000 per household. The city also has a poverty rate of 36.2%. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) More From 24/7 Wall St.: |
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Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:15 pm |
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