Fighting to stifle gang activity
For help
The Janesville Police Department will give its presentation about local gangs to your organization. Officers also stand ready to talk to anyone who might be involved with a gang. Contact an officer at any of the following:
-- (608) 755-3192
-- (608) 755-3100
JANESVILLE — Gang problem? Yes, say Janesville police, and they're working to put a damper on it.
That was the message of two officers from the department's street crimes unit who talked to a handful of Janesville school parents Monday night.
That means police are more than willing to talk with your son or daughter if you suspect the kid might be getting involved with a gang, said Officer Chad Pearson.
Police also will drop by at a home if they hear information that a youth might be in a gang, Pearson said.
Pearson thinks the visits help. If the youth wants out of the gang, police offer assistance. If the youth is resistant, the visit still might deter the kid.
And there's nothing like a visit from a cop to make other gang members question whether they can trust that person, Pearson said.
Pearson and Officer Josh Norem spoke at a Teen Talk event sponsored by the Janesville School District.
The officers said everyone should stop using the term "wannabe." Gangs are definitely here, they insisted.
The way gang members behave in Janesville, however, can be different from TV portrayals, which are based on the gangs on the coasts, they said.
There doesn't seem to be any gang territory in Janesville, for instance. Gang members can pass each other on the street with no trouble breaking out, officers said.
"There's not any one part of Janesville that's got more gang activity than any other," Pearson said. "..There are no set boundaries."
Police have even seen members of one gang dealing drugs to members of rival gangs.
But if one disrespects a rival gang member, fights break out, Pearson said.
That's one of the major activities of local gangs—fighting with each other. Even so, Janesville has escaped an "extreme level of violence" seen elsewhere, Pearson said.
"Knock on wood," he added.
Pearson said gang activity might have been worse if police hadn't acted.
"Here, we've been fortunate, because we jumped on it early enough," Pearson said. "...We've stayed ahead of the curve."
One parent asked if gang activity might be on the rise with the bad economy. Norem didn't think so, but he said there's potential for trouble as temperatures warm and schools let out.
In addition to trying to deter potential gang members, Janesville police continually update a database of intelligence on local gangs, officers said. That information can be invaluable in investigating crimes, they said.
Kids join gangs for many reasons, but one of the most common heard in Janesville is a feeling of not fitting in, Pearson said.
The officers took the parents on a tour of local graffiti, the meanings of gang signs, colors and other identifying characteristics of different gangs.
Janesville police have identified a handful of gangs that seem to be the most active here, although almost any gang you could name has some members in the area, Pearson said.
May 13, 2009 at 5:41 p.m.
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Are you guys retarded? Who else would you rather hear it from? I highly doubt that anyone else has more information on gang activities (besides the people in them) than the police. For real. "oh the police have no clue what they are talking about." and i bet doctors don't know a thing either.
May 13, 2009 at 3:57 p.m.
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Those mullets are over the top......I just can't believe that someone close to those mullet wearers don't drop the hint that they're ridiculous. I certainly would tell any of my friends or family members to cut it off, and if they refused I would set up an intervention and if it wasn't resolved by the time that was over we would hold him down and forcibly remove it........Geez......What is this country coming to......:)
May 13, 2009 at 3:55 p.m.
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It starts out at home where the parents should be checking on their children and their activity's. That's why I push for the curfew in Janesville, because I got the feeling some parents didn't know where there kids were at late hours. Like I said in the beginning, it atarts at home. Do you know where your kids are now?
May 13, 2009 at 3:18 p.m.
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Exactly why I want to know what this person actually does in law enforcement. Spending time on the Gazette site posting doesn't seem like a smart career move.
May 13, 2009 at 3:15 p.m.
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thekid: I checked out the website and it's a hoot!
May 13, 2009 at 3:14 p.m.
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Biggirl: For me it was evidence enought when I got a gun pulled on me by a self proclaimed member of one of these gangs. Open your eyes and see that there is a problem in this town and at least the police are attempting to put a stop to it. Thanks JPD!!!
May 13, 2009 at 3:08 p.m.
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officerfriendly1 - What is it you exactly do in law enforcement?
May 13, 2009 at 2:17 p.m.
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mullethunter: great name fo sho:) i seriously had to 'sneeze' in walgreens the other day so the guy with the meximullet didnt hear my camera as i took his pic:) im a big fan and in case you arent aware...you should check out www.mulletjunkie.com. i submitted a pic of an editor of a local paper cuz i think in his photo it looks like hes got sort of a baby mullet started...but i havent heard back from them if it qualifies. keepin my finners crossed....
May 13, 2009 at 1:59 p.m.
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Back to the article...
There is a gang problem in Janesville. The police is doing a great job of addressing this issue but more needs to be done.
Hopefully some of the attitudes of the community change before the violence and drug dealing does.
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Friendly, do you favor the Bush toture program?
May 13, 2009 at 1:52 p.m.
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Worrying about gangs that DO exist has nothing to do about freedom. You using quotes by Thomas Jefferson in your own context and relating it to subjects that have nothing to do with this, makes no sense and proves that you are simply against law enforcement as is biggirl. I would never want you in charge of anything related to providing safety.
May 13, 2009 at 12:58 p.m.
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officerfriendly1 - I live in the United States of America. I, like many others have plenty of freedom because of this great Country. If you don't like it, I suggest you leave. Your comments are alarming.
May 13, 2009 at 12:58 p.m.
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Can we ever hear from anyone about one of these panics besides the police?
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Let see as a parent and I am sure I am not alone, I am in a panic, I pray everyday that as my children grow up we will be able to keep them out of this stuff but it is everywhere. So for you to say that the police are the only ones who worry is ass nine. I sure hope you have no children biggirl.
May 13, 2009 at 12:45 p.m.
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officerfreindly and biggirl should get together and have a little picnic.
May 13, 2009 at 11:40 a.m.
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Ah, geez. Biggirl's at it again!
Spark - Love your post!
May 13, 2009 at 10:37 a.m.
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I have a son heading to high school next year and gangs, drugs and alchol scare me to death. Hopefully what we have instilled in him along with the example we have set will help him make the right choices. Thankfully he is into sports and hangs out with a good bunch of kids. I know now a days that
doesn't really matter anymore but I just hope it will help.
May 13, 2009 at 9:31 a.m.
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interesting, really... less than 2 months ago, there was an article regarding potential gang activity in Wilson's 4-5 grades... the police & JSD denied it, when Mrs. Bicha expressed a valid concern... now this article...
May 13, 2009 at 8:10 a.m.
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biggirl - GET A LIFE. Everyone of your posts is basically bashing law enforcement and every time someone calls you out on it, you never respond. You are clueless especially if you think there isn't gang issues in this town. You probably think heroin isn't an issue too.
May 12, 2009 at 10:57 p.m.
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What most of the people that will post on here are completely blind to what actually happens "behind" the scenes. When you dont live by problems then you dont see them. That is a lot of janesville residents. They are sleeping or not out at a bar or even a restaurant for that matter. Bet 60% of janesville has no idea. I too have seen many things in town that I wish I would not have seen.
May 12, 2009 at 5:56 p.m.
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mulletthunter...thank you for the information. As a grandparent, my biggest fear is that my grandson may find this sort of attention appealing. His Mom is working very hard to get him involved in summer sport activities, which at this time of his life is exciting to him. (He's only 7...) But it all starts at some point in time... they find more satisfaction and get more Kudos from the lowest of society. It takes no extra work to be excepted by the gang mentality.
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I grew up in Rockford, 1958 to 1985... We NEVER went to the west side... you could get a bullet in the head. I fear these infant stage gangs will take a hold, and the police will be totally aghast at how they could have been so behind the times.
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Its nice to see them TRYING to seem proactive, but just talking to the parents and then a little rally at the schools won't put a dent in it.
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Let's just say I've seen this all before.
May 12, 2009 at 5:41 p.m.
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As a former Social Worker and AODA counselor, i can assure you there is a gang problem in Janesville. While its not Humboldt Park it is still dangerous. Young kids want the "glamour" and power they think a gang can get them. Some grow up in it with dad's in prison. Its not just blacks or hispanics, its also whites. Unfortunately the climate with the kids without dad's contributes to this as well, as does the sensationalizing of gangs in the media, music, and movies...Awareness is the key and showing the parents the signs is good, but for the kids out there banging, their parents are'nt the ones involved and asking questions, in most cases, not all...Knowing a lot of "gang bangers" personally, most are just looking for a place to belong, and when they arent in their environment they are intelligent, articulate and even compassionate,you may never know someone is involved.
All in all our youth need love and acceptance so they dont go look for it on a corner.
May 12, 2009 at 5:31 p.m.
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biggirl, here in the Fourth Ward all I need to do is look outside my front door and I can see gang activity. Now, I've lived in New York and Chicago, so I can agree it's not Boyz in the Hood level, but it's quite serious to those of us subject to drug deals on our terrace and fighting in our intersections.
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We've also had our stop sign defaced (since replaced) with the graffito "GDK", which is short for "Gangster Disciple Killer" -- probably the Latin Kings (which around here, I understand, incorporate Asian members). Maybe it's just posturing, but it certainly is an attempt to mark territory.
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Activity in "the Ward" is actually fairly light this year. I suspect the economy is to blame, as well as enforcement of the nuisance ordinance. There just don't seem to be as many people floating around the streets.
May 12, 2009 at 4:45 p.m.
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Can we ever hear from anyone about one of these panics besides the police? At least let's hear from some social workers, who are in an at least equally good position to comment on the subject. The evidence that there are gangs is flimsy at best, and the ones producing the evidence -- the police -- have an interest in creating this panic over gangs.
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