Gang Unit
The Kenosha Police Dept Gang Unit was formed in 1985 and is the oldest operating unit in the State of Wisconsin. There are currently seven officers assigned to the unit which duties include the following:
- Gather intelligence on gangs and gang members
- Organize the collected data
- Assist in the investigation of gang related crime
- Suppress gang activity through aggressive street level patrolling.
The gang unit has document gang members involved in several types of criminal activity. These crimes include Homicide, Robbery, Aggravated Battery, Burglary, Theft, and the distribution of Narcotics.
Street Gang Awareness
What is a “gang”?
Street gangs can be defined as a group of three or more people that form an allegiance, whether formal or informal, which meets the following criteria:
- Common name or identifiers, (i.e. tattoos, clothing/colors, symbols, hand-signs, etc.)
- Has member or associates who, individually or collectively, engage or have
engaged in criminal activity, to further the purpose of the gang.
Local Awareness
Kenosha’s gangs are heavily influenced from Chicago and Milwaukee gangs and generally fall with one of two nations; Folk or People Nation.
A simple comparison between the two nations might be the National and American baseball leagues. The National League is not a team, but an alliance under which teams like the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs aligned. The American league is the alliance under which the New York Yankees or the Baltimore Orioles align.
Folk Nation
Some of the major Folk Nation sets are:
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Black Gangster Disciples
Black Disciples
Gangster Disciples
Imperial Gangsters
La Raza
Spanish Cobras
Latin Eagles
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Latin Disciples
Maniac Latin Disciples
SimonCity Royals
Spanish Gangster Disciples
Two Sixers
International
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People Nation
Some of the major People Nation sets are:
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Latin Kings
Vicelords
Spanish Lords
El Rukns
Black P Stones
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Bishops
Gaylords
Latin Counts
Kents
Mickey Cobras
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The Latin Kings are the oldest and largest Hispanic-led street gang in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Kenosha area.
Surenos 13
XIII SUR 13 13
Surenos 13’s do not fall within the Folk or People Nation, but rather an alliance of hundreds of individual Mexican American street gangs that originated in Southern California. They have spread significantly and can be found throughout much of the United States.
Bloods and Crips
Bloods and the Crips originated on the West Coast. Bloods traditionally align themselves with the People Nation while the Crips align themselves with the Folk Nation.
How are gangs identified?
In the past it was common to see gang members dressed in basic style or color chosen by the gang. As gangs have received more pressure from law enforcement they have changed their outward appearance to become less noticeable. Many will still wear a particular type of clothing or color identifying their gang. They are just a little more discrete.
Why do children join gangs?
Children or teenagers join gangs for a variety of reasons:
- It offers acceptance into a group and a sense of belonging they haven’t found elsewhere
- Money is another motive as most gangs are involved in criminal activity
- Excitement or rebellion
- Family History
- Protection.
Gang Awareness
Gang awareness is a critical tool for early intervention. If the warning signs are identified early, then the young can be directed away from the gang activity. Here are some warning signs to look for. Now keep in mind not all these patterns of behavior indicate gang involvement, but coupled together might indicated gang involvement.
- Associating with a new set of friends, while ignoring old ones
- Change in style and/or clothing or associating with youths who have same type of style and/or clothing
- Use of street language, hand signs or unusual nick-names
- Unexplained income or possessions
- Indication of drug or alcohol abuse
- Discipline issues at home or in school
- Graffiti on personal items
Gang Prevention
Meet with your children’s friends, make it a point to meet each friend and know where they live and who their parents are.
- Establish rules for your children, set limits and be consistent with enforcing those rules.
- Know when you child is going out; know where your child is going and who they are going with. Set a reasonable time for the child to return home.
- Encourage you child to participate in sports or other activities. Children need to belong and want to be part of something. These activities build self-esteem and give a feeling of something worthwhile.
We need your help
The cost of gang activity to Kenosha is very high. The quality of life in the neighborhoods where gangs are active is greatly affected. In dollars, gang activity cost us through the property crimes committed, through vandalism, and graffiti, as well as the cost to the taxpayer for agencies tasked with addressing this problem. There have been several innocent victims of gang violence, as well as all types of violence directed at gang members and innocent citizens, and it is usually the families of these victims and society that carry the scars.
The Kenosha Police Department Gang Unit needs any information or other assistance you can provide us. Please call us with your information at (262) 605-5258, you can remain anonymous if you wish. We are looking for tips on gang activity, drug activity, or persons that are wanted on outstanding warants. Please visit "Kenosha's Most Wanted" on this website and see if someone you know is wanted by the police.