47 Documented Gangs in Jacksonville

[coredumped]

Interesting Stephen, I didn't know about that. Maybe a restructure is in order then, because what we have is not working.
And changing the sheriff won't change much.
I don't know the solution, but the crime rate is far too high for a city our size.
I don't know if increasing the budget will help much either, since cops don't really prevent crime, only clean up afterwards.

[Noone]

^Maybe a restructure?
Kind of like the Independent Authorities?
Higher education?
Boards?

[Scarlettjax]

There needs to be a comprehensive gang policy, that includes prevention, intervention and suppression.  There are a number of best practices available from several federal agencies and independent criminal justice think tanks; they all include those three elements.

To be successful, any strategy has to have support from the community beyond simply leaving it to the police.  Schools, churches, community service providers all have to be involved...kind of like we started doing with the Jacksonville Journey that ended up being a pretty short walk in the park.  Whatever plan is decided upon has to have sustainable funding and dedicated staff to keep the strategy alive, as changing the culture that results in the gangs is longitudinal and won't be solved in a couple of budget cycles.

[coredumped]

Stephen, are you denying that gangs exist in Jacksonville?

[Overstreet]

.......Project SOS also offers a healthy relationship department to help guide parents, because they believe the decision to partake in crime begins at home.

“I had a former gang member on my staff for two years, and he opened up my eyes to what the gangs are providing. They're providing a fellowship and discipline and regiment. The boys want that structure, but they're going in the wrong direction. So if we can change them around, then they’ll want that for their job and for their future,” Mullarkey-Robbins said.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/jso-to-hold-conference-on-recent-shootings/32552758

So gangs provide "family"............Police and policing usually just provide a common enemy.  You've got to address the root cause to get rid of the problem or just chip away with enforcement. 

As I recall most cities have had gangs. Most gangs are in low income areas.  I don't think they will ever go away.

[simms3]

Yea I don't think Jax has any truly organized gang presence (like the Crips or MS-13 or some of the Asian gangs don't "control" an area of town like they do in other cities).

However, I think these little loose street groups/local gangs are more dangerous than the larger, more organized gangs from a sheer violence standpoint.  They aren't "smart" and don't know how to use discretion, work things out through other means, etc.

Cities controlled by the big gangs tend to be safer than Jacksonville (or so it seems on paper at least), which has none of the larger gangs.  So that tells me something.

[Scarlettjax]

Here is how Florida law defines it:  Under Florida Statute 874.03 (1): "Criminal gang" means a formal or informal ongoing organization, association, or group that has as one of its primary activities the commission of criminal or delinquent acts, and that consists of three (3) or more persons who have a common name or common identifying signs, colors, or symbols, including, but not limited to, terrorist organizations and hate
groups.

Also included in those statutes are the criteria for an individual to be documented as a gang member or associate, and once you are, if you are caught committing gang-related criminal activity (also defined in the stautes), enhanced penalties can be sought by prosecutors for those crimes. There's a variety of ways outlined in the law to determine relationship with a gang, but it's often self-admitted.  And many feel the need to sport some ink for their crew as well as the typical colors and tagging; it is not something they try to hide.  In their world, it is important to be affiliated and instantly recognized for that affilation - kind of like it is in a lot of our worlds. The difference is most clubs, fraternal organizations, churches and prep schools aren't making criminal activity one of their primary activities.  Secondary, perhaps.

Note the statute doesn't just include street gangs, but also terrorist organizations and hate groups.  Some of those likely make up the reported total of 47.

[I-10east]

The JSO is concerned that 'Cutt Circle' and '1200' are gangs. Looks like they are copying Chiraq with that 'hunna' lingo. Although as the doubters will say, they aren't 'real gangs' despite some members being involved in crimes. Nothing to see here folks.

http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/news/local/local-rap-group-cutt-circleresponds-gang-allegatio/nnrhk/
https://www.youtube.com/user/PHATCHIKDZINE/videos

[I-10east]

 Turf war gang graffiti showing up in Northside neighborhood.

http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/gang-graffiti-showing-up-in-northside-neighborhood/292514500

[Adam White]

Turf war gang graffiti showing up in Northside neighborhood.

http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/gang-graffiti-showing-up-in-northside-neighborhood/292514500

The video didn't play for me. What neighborhood is it?

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Turf war gang graffiti elementary school-age kids tagging showing up in Northside neighborhood.

http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/gang-graffiti-showing-up-in-northside-neighborhood/292514500

These damn kids need a role model.

My suggestion: