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Effective January 1, 2004 the Kenosha Police
Department embarked on a project called the Kenosha Street Crimes Unit. This Unit consists of the
best Drug and Gang Unit members in the Midwest that have merged to create an
informational and working relationship to better serve the Citizens of
Kenosha. |
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Kenosha Street Crimes Unit
(262) 653-0599
Kenosha Gang Unit (262) 605-5258 |
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Our society is often caught up in one fad or another. New clothes fads, hairdos, or
music fads. Whatever is new is often considered better.
The drug and gang culture is no exception. Unscrupulous chemists and pushers, seeking a wider sales
market, develop new fads in illegal drugs. However, the drug user seeking new sensations
with "fad" drugs may risk serious physical and mental impairment. Many face
death.
Designer drugs, unlike "designer clothing," are dangerous and potentially
lethal. These fad drugs are created by changing the molecular structure of one element of
a legal drug. Synthetic heroin, named Fentanyl, is commonly called "China White"
or "Persian White." This drug is much more potent than heroin, and
is so powerful that a very small amount may be fatal. In some cases heroin look-alikes
have caused Parkinson's disease-like symptoms of jerking motions, shaking and rigidity. In
other cases, they have caused irreversible brain damage and death.
MDMA, or "Ecstasy" as it is called on the streets, is a hallucinogen which
causes blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, elevated blood pressure, tooth grinding and
hallucinations. Chronic use produces restlessness, irritability, insomnia, psychosis,
ulcers, depression and fatigue. MDMA as well as her sister drug, MDA, has been found to
cause brain damage.
MPPP, another designer drug, is a chemical cousin to "Ecstasy." A heroin-like
drug, it has caused brain damage, paralysis and other symptoms similar to Parkinson's
disease.
Other fads seen recently include licking frogs, smoking banana peels, and mainlining or
injecting various drug combinations. Users continue to invent new ways to get high,
without thinking of the seriousness of their actions and taking unknown risks with
potentially lethal combinations.
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Street Gang
Awareness & Prevention
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What is a Gang? According to the State of
Wisconsin State Statue 939.22(9): (9) "Criminal gang" means an ongoing
organization, association or group of 3 or more persons, whether formal or informal, that
has as one of its primary activities the commission of one or more of the criminal acts,
or acts that would be criminal if the actor were an adult, specified in s. 939.22 (21) (a)
to (s); that has a common name or a common identifying sign or symbol; and whose members
individually or collectively engage in or have engaged in a pattern of criminal gang
activity.
939.22(9g) "Criminal gang member" means any
person who participates in criminal gang activity, as defined in s.941.38 (1) (b), with a
criminal gang.
Gang members are criminals whose actions range from drug dealing to drive-by shootings to
murder. Gangs thrive on intimidation and notoriety. They find violence not only glamorous
but necessary in establishing their gang as a gang to be feared.
What Gangs Do? Many gang activities are
frequently shared by a large portion of society, except for one important difference: gang
members seek confrontations with rivals. When gang members attend school, a family picnic,
rock concert, neighborhood gathering or party, the potential for violence and criminal
activity is far greater than for any other group of people. The violent acts, usually
indiscriminate, often claim the lives of innocent victims. Gang violence often makes
headlines. Gangs sell drugs, extort business, burglarize homes, rob people, intimidate
minorities, steal cars or commit other crimes for financial gain. Gangs intentionally
vandalize and destroy public and private property in order to further promote their
reputation, leaving graffiti behind them
as their trademark. Abandoned houses are a favorite target for graffiti, but even occupied
houses and local businesses do not escape. The majority of residents in a gang area who
are unable to move away, live in constant fear.
Why they Join Gangs? Children or teenagers
join gangs for a variety of reasons: the excitement of gang activity, peer pressure,
physical protection, attention, financial gain, and family tradition. In many cases,
youths are not actively discouraged from gang involvement by their parents. Often parents
are unaware that their children are engaged in gang activity.
Gang Names? Gangs generally identify
themselves by a name derived from a street, neighborhood, or housing project where they
are based, or from a rock band they like, or a cult they follow.
Street Gangs? Gangs are predominately
territorial. Each gang has its own turf and graffiti marks its boundaries. Anyone not
belonging in the area and who resembles any rival gang members may become the subject of
attack.
Dress? Most gang members dress in the same
manner. The uniform of some local gangs is easy to recognize. It includes white T-shirts,
thin belts, baggy or sagging trousers, and a black or blue knit cap (beanie or a bandana
tied around the forehead similar to a sweatband). Gang members also like particular brands
of shoes, pants or shirts. For example, some gangs like to wear plaid Pendleton shirts in
either blue, brown, black or red. These shirts are worn loose and
untucked. Also popular
are the Doc Martin or military style boots with the military flight jackets.
Gang graffiti, symbols, messages or gang names can be written or
embroidered on jackets, pants and ball caps. Other identifying items include belt buckles
with the gang's initials, key chains, or professional team jackets.
Some gangs have changed their clothing style and no longer wear their
colors in order to deceive law enforcement.
Identifying Gang Members? Most gang members
are proud of their gang and freely admit their membership. Many have tattoos and dress in
a style identifying their particular gang. Their personal property is frequently covered
with graffiti, the gang's logo, and the member's gang name (moniker). Gang members throw
signs with their fingers. This means they make gestures with their hands and fingers which
identify their gang.
Kenosha Police Department Gang Unit (262) 605-5258
Gang Links:
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