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                         May 24, 2002

Gang and drug class opens eyes of local teens

Story and photos by Kathy Eastwood
Staff Writer

The 2nd Aviation Detachment sponsored a Gang and Drug Awareness class May 15 at Stewart International Airport in New Windsor. Topics ranged from gang graffiti, gang recognition, gang literature and popular drugs of choice of the teenagers in this area.

Gang activity is not just an urban problem; it is a problem that is creeping into many communities right here in the Hudson Valley and in some cases, into the military, said presenter Sgt. Neale Smith of the 2nd Aviation. Some posts in the military have had gangs within their active ranks, he explained.

" In 1998, at Fort Hood, a young specialist was a leader of a gang cell in the community," Neale said. "She had people who outranked her that did anything she wanted out of fear. She had even put contracts out on people until she was eventually sent to Fort Leavenworth."

Investigators from the Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, gave presentations that seemed to both shock and enlighten the participants.

Investigators Theresa Andryschak, BCI and Michael Truncale, DAO, explained to attendeees how to recognize signs of gang activity in a community.

"We felt it was important to first educate ourselves about gang activities and then to educate parents and youths," Truncale said. "The more communities that get proactive about gang activities, the more gangs move out into other areas.

"As we learn more, we realize we have a much bigger problem than we ever thought we would ever have," Andryschak said. "That’s why it is important for people to be aware of how violent they are, what colors and graffiti they use and how to spot them.

" Gangs are only as strong as the community allows them to be," she added.

Truncale presented a training video that was used in a California elementary school in preparation to deal with possible drive-by gang shootings.

"In my day, we had fire drills," he said. "Today school violence is on the rise. There are stabbings, drive by shooting and beatings. Drugs are an influence and the drug of choice in today’s schools is Ecstasy."

According to the Orange County Task Force, the recruit base of gangs are elementary and middle schools because gang members are all too aware of the difference in punishment for youths in our justice system. Gangs will use youths to carry guns or drugs or commit crimes. Orange County is the fastest growing county in the state. As the population of gangs increases, crime increases, Truncale said.

"There are currently thirty gangs in this area targeting other rival gangs and the community at large," he explained.

Gangs have adopted sportswear symbols and taken them for their own "colors" or "codes." For example, Truncale explained, a Bull’s jacket worn by the gang known as the ‘Bloods’ takes on a different significance that has nothing to do with sports. To them, it’s "Bloods Usually Live Longer Sucker." Calvin Kline has been translated to mean "Crypt Killers;" The Crypts are a rival gang and therefore enemies of the Bloods.

" The brand British Knight translates into Blood Killers for the Crypts," he added.

Graffiti is used to mark their territory and for intimidation. Communities that know what to look for can often identify gang activity by what is written on the walls.

"Gangs stake a claim with graffiti and it serves as a warning to other gang members or it is used as a means of communication. Crossing out of rival gang graffiti will usually lead to retaliatory violence by rival gang members," Truncale said.

Gangs take advantage of the need to belong, of poor self-esteem or the lack of social responsibility, he explained. Gang wanna-be’s like the attention, excitement and the recognition that gangs can offer and usually can’t wait to become initatiated, even though they can be violent.

"One method of becoming a member of a gang is called a ‘jump in’ or ‘beat down,’ where gang members physically beat the new member or require the new member to commit crimes against innocent victims," Truncale said. "Slashing to draw blood is a popular form of this type of initiation. Another for female members is to be "sexed" in, which requires the female to have sex with all gang members," he added.

Truncale said gangs are not just a problem for the police; they are everyone’s problem.

"Police and prosecutors target gang crime, but they need the help of the community," he said. "This can be done simply by becoming more aware of what is going on in your community."