Gang Prevention Information

YOUTH GANGS… race, economic status, age, gender and community are not relevant when it comes to your child being recruited into a gang… The Suffolk County Probation Department has posted on its web page valuable information about the identifying characteristics of gangs as well as the warning signs of gang activity. The information is available in both English and Spanish. The department has also developed a Gang Information Hotline (631) 852-5070 and an e-mail address ganginfo@suffolkcountyny.gov, which can be used to seek help or report signs of gang activity. All calls and emails are kept confidential.

There are many warning signs of possible gang involvement; some of them include such things as:
· A change in behavior and personality at home; frequently out late, breaks curfews, rules and laws; secretive about activities, has no respect for you or any authority figures
· A change in behavior at school; truancy, a drop in grades, frequent detention or suspension
· Graffiti, symbols or numeric codes seen on personal property in room, on books, backpacks or inside baseball caps
· Unexplained cash, expensive material items, wearing a lot of jewelry or medallions

Tied in with the warning signs is information identifying the characteristics of gangs. Among them are:
· Colors (only wears one color continuously)
· Beads/Bandannas/Tattoos/Brandings
· Photos of groups of youth throwing hand signs and wearing colors.

“Knowing what to look for is critical, which is why we wanted this information posted on the web page,” said John Desmond, Director of the Suffolk County Department of Probation. To access the information go to the county’s web page at www.suffolkcountyny.gov click on Department Directory, Probation.

Suffolk County’s Gang Suppression Team

In August, Suffolk Executive Steve Levy, District Attorney Thomas Spota and Suffolk Police Commissioner Richard Dormer announced the formation of a special law enforcement unit (Gang Suppression Team) and a comprehensive program to help quell gang violence in the county. Approximately 20 officers currently working out of Suffolk’s police precincts were brought together into a single unit to share intelligence and focus on ‘hot spots’ where gang violence is prevalent.

Since the department’s precinct-assigned gang detectives were formed into a single unit, the Gang Suppression Team has put 52 alleged gang members behind bars, the department said. Those arrested were roughly divided among Long Island’s four most prominent gangs: MS-13, Latin Kings, Bloods and Crips.

“By combining these personnel into a single unit we have created a team that can immediately and visibly make its presence known in hot spots where gang activity is suspected,” Levy said.

Gang Information Hotline (631) 852-5070/ ganginfo@suffolkcountyny.gov,
All calls and emails are kept confidential.