Stay Informed

Sign up for news & alerts

Already signed up?
Login here
What Can I Do?


Get Help
Need alcohol or drug help for yourself or someone else? GET HELP
Resources
Resources
Find useful publications, online documents & more.


DrugScreening.org


 

Violent Gangs Proliferate in D.C.
September 18, 2003

Email
Email
Print
Print
SubscribeSubscribe
News Summary

Law-enforcement officials in Washington, D.C., are reporting a rise in violent, highly structured gangs who are recruiting members from urban and suburban neighborhoods, the Washington Post reported Sept. 17.

According to officials, the number of gang members in the area has skyrocketed to more than 3,000. Many of the members belong to gangs with links to established Latino, African-American, and Asian gangs in other states.

Although D.C. police have strengthened their gang unit, developed a database to share information, and received a $500,000 federal grant to fight the problem, gangs continue to leave their violent mark.

This summer alone, four murders were linked to gangs, as well as a number of shootings and beatings.

In Washington, Latino-based gangs are growing the fastest, with recruitment drives held at high schools and middle schools. Students are enticed to skip school and come to parties featuring alcohol and other drugs.

"They contact people by cell phone. They pick people up in a van," said a recent teenage graduate of High Point High School in Prince George's. "I've seen my friends get in the van. They've asked me to go. I said no."

The police database identifies 1,801 gang members, the majority of whom live in the District.

"New gang members are moving into the Washington area all the time," said Carlos Aquino, youth minister at Shrine of the Sacred Heart Church in northwest Washington. "We don't have the problem that Los Angeles does. But if we don't do something now, it may get worse."

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Your Turn! Post a public comment (guidelines):

Name:

Comment:
(limit 200
words)

Enter this word
(help):
Change

GUIDELINES:
Comments are meant for thoughtful public discussion of the article published above. Therefore:

  1. Keep it clean, courteous, focused, and on-topic.

  2. Do not post personal requests for help (see resources).

  3. Proof your comments carefully for spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.

  4. Deceptive, slanderous and commercially-motivated comments are prohibited.

We reserve the right to remove comments not conforming to these guidelines. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.