Our Community in Fairfax County, Virginia

Gangs

Gangs in Westlawn

By Dave Conway, January 2005

Mason District police officer Ray McCoy gave a presentation on gang awareness at our October General Meeting. Using a combination of overhead slides and two tables covered with confiscated gang paraphernalia, officer McCoy put the gang problem into perspective and highlighted actions that we can take along with the police to combat this problem. Following are highlights from his presentation.

In Fairfax County, police have identified over 100 gangs in the last decade. Many come and go, with between 40 and 50 active at any given time. 2,000 to 3,000 gang-associated persons live in Fairfax County today. In Northern Virginia, they typically do not claim territory, but frequently hang out near where they live.

Children are drawn to gangs for many reasons: money, drugs, girls/guys, adrenaline rush, the family mentality, the live today - die tomorrow philosophy, revenge, and respect. Committed gang members don't care what happens to them. Their crimes range from murder, rape, robberies, felony assault, misdemeanor assault, and drive-by shootings. In Virginia, however, gangs are less likely to conduct drive-by shootings because of mandatory extra jail time.

When gang members congregate, these groups often have someone who is carrying a weapon.

Parents have a number of ways to detect early on if their children are associating with gangs. The earlier parents intercede with their children, the less likely their children will follow the path of hopelessness, crime, and despair that comes from being a gang member.

Keep an eye out for gang letters on your child's school binders and clothing.
Be sure that a child knows the first and last names of any friends they bring over or associate with, as most gang members know each other only by their nicknames.
Be suspicious of children who try to keep you out of their room. Remember, it's your house.

The part-time gang coordinator program began in the early 1990s with only two officers. It has grown to eight full-time positions in Fairfax County.

Last September, Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross co-chaired a regional gang summit. Over 500 people attended, discussing alternatives for prevention, intervention, and suppression of gang activity. The group focused on positive approaches that are being taken to address gang membership. In addition, the Prevention Task Force presented recommendations of its six-month study, including:

Healthy student activities like police athletic leagues.

Parental involvement.

Media campaigns.

Enhanced focus on firearms laws.

Addressing graffiti immediately, include efforts to pass a law requiring owners to clean up property vandalized by graffiti.

Of course, funding is a critical element in pursuing most of these initiatives. Given the high priority of this issue, let's hope our politicians are able to acquire funding!

Gang Problems in Westlawn

Based on remarks by Officers Ray McCoy and Courtney Young, June 2004

That's right, we have a gang problem. Salvadoran gangs like MS-13 are a big problem, and the signs are everywhere-people hanging out at Westlawn Park after dark, graffiti, strangers sitting on the sidewalk, gang members displaying their tattoos and "uniform." Within Mason District, the shopping malls, parks, and other areas in and around Westlawn have the highest rate of gang activity, particularly with regards to gang graffiti.

Gangs are responsible for some of the home break-ins, auto thefts, and other crimes in Mason District. Sometimes these crimes involve gang members from the local area, but not always. Gangs from poor neighborhoods look to steal from nicer areas, such as Westlawn.

Gang members in Mason District live all over, not just in the Cullmore area, and some live right here in Westlawn. Parents of gang members often live in a state of denial, failing to recognize early signs of their children getting involved with gangs. Parents of children who are part of gangs often make the following mistakes:

They don't know the names of their child's best friends.

They don't know the address, phone number, or parents' names of their child's best friends.

They don't go into their child's room, sometimes being crazy enough to allow their child to put a lock on their room.

They don't notice gang letters on their child's school binders, or if they do, they dismiss it as a harmless "phase."

Early confrontation is the key to preventing your child from beginning the endless downward spiral that starts with joining a gang. Know who your child's best friends are, and if you believe they are connected to gangs, insist that your child play with other friends. If you see what looks like gang letters on your child's school binders, talk to them about the implications of gang life and insist that they remove or permanently cover the gang letters or throw the binders out. And never, never allow your child to keep you from entering their room. It's your house, and you can enter their empty room any time you like.

The police encourage Westlawn residents to call the non-emergency number at Mason District Station (703-691-2131) if you see someone you suspect to be a gang member anywhere in Mason District. It may be their suspicious behavior, their gang tattoos, or their gang dress-do not wait for them to do something illegal before calling the police. The police want to know when and where gang members are hanging out, and they want to be aggressive in confronting anyone who openly displays their gang membership.

At our next General Meeting on 5 October, the police will give a presentation on gang awareness that addresses these issues in much greater detail. Mark your calendars now!