This document discusses gang activity in the Virgin Islands and proposes strategies to address it. It defines gangs and provides indicators of gang involvement. The document analyzes how gang violence has affected the community through examples of shootings and fights. It then outlines a problem-oriented strategy including prevention through education and positive activities, intervention, suppression of gang activity, and support for reentry after incarceration.

1.  Group 5: Operation Order
 University of the Virgin Islands
 CJU 122

2. http://www.facebook.com/groups/257260194353113/

3.  Definition of a gang
 Several indicators and risk factors
 Explanation of how the issue has
affected the community
 Detailed analysis of the issue
supported by research.
 A problem-oriented strategy to
address the issue.

4.  Individuals who mingle with various
likes and differences are considered
gangs. Not all gangs are bad or violent.
Gang violence refers to the violent acts
that the gang commits towards other
gangs or the general public. Gangs
participate in many acts; some are
fighting, robberies, and even murder.

5.  Group of three or more
 The group commits criminal activity.
 The group has at least a common name,
sign, color or symbol (clothing).
 Unemployed or employed and have
more money or possessions
 Staying out later than usual
 Carrying weapons

6. HAND SIGNS
 Used to show allegiance
to a specific gang.

7. SYMBOLS & TATOOS
 Gangs use symbols to identify their gang.
 “This gang is called “Mara Salvatrucha,” clique-
Centrales.

8.  Graffiti are not all gang related.
 Links to gang (graffiti is an issue in the Virgin Islands)
 Identifies territory or turf
 Used to send messages.

9.  Gang activity such as drug/alcohol use, firearms
 Violence against family members or gang members
 Lack of alternative activities
 Poor school achievement
 Lack of respect for authority (parents, teachers, law
enforcement officers)
 Theft
 Gang violence are affecting cultural & social events
(jouvet, parade, village)
Gangs are a problem for everyone.

11.  On January 9, 2012, two men were shot to death
at Estate Grove Place on St. Croix. This incident
occurred in a housing community known as
Mutual Homes. Assailants were unknown.
 According to St. Croix Source, on January 28,
2012, a man was found dead at his Boetzberg
home in St. Croix. No motive or details or the
cause of death were made available.

12.  In St. Thomas, on February 6, 2012, two
teenagers were shot multiple times in the
Sugar Estate area.
 Also, on February 24, 2012, a 24 year old was
found shot to death at the Paul M. Pearson
Gardens Housing Community; two other
men were wounded.

13. A 20 year old inmate at the Golden Grove
Correctional Facility was arrested in connection with
an incident. H. K., allegedly struck a correction officer
in the face with a chair and cut the officer in his hand
with a shank while being taken to his prison cell
following a court appearance . According to St. Croix
Source he is one of three suspects arrested for an Aug
29 murder of a 25 yr. old..
“The murder was believed to be ongoing and gang
related based of the indicator and gang involvement.”
Retrieved from:

14.  J’ouvert was stopped when numerous fights broke out
along the J’ouvert route.

15.  A bill to crack down on gang members was approved
Thursday by the Senate’s committees on Public Safety,
Homeland Security and Justice, sending it on for
further consideration.
 Police Commissioner Henry White Jr. said the bill is
needed badly in order to track down gang.

17. Prevention
-Primary and secondary
Intervention
Suppression
Reentry

18.  Be a positive role mode.
 Do everything possible to involve your children in
supervised, positive group activities.
 Praise your children for doing well/encouragement.
 Get to know your children’s friends and their parents.
 Set limits for your children, enforcing them.
 Do not allow your children to dress in gang style
clothing, to practice gang hand signs, or to write gang
graffiti on any surface, including their bodies.

19.  Identify at risk students and students who are already
gang members. Encourage sports, drama, music, art,
and positive activities.
 Do not allow anyone to wear gang clothing.
 Photograph and remove all graffiti from school
grounds.
 Promote after school programs.
 Work with parents, counselors, School Resource
Officers.
 Ensure that gang and drug prevention are part of the
curricula. COMMUNICATE!!!!

20.  St. Croix Source. (V.I. Source Publication (2012) Inc.
 Addressing Community Gang Problems: A
Practical Guide (BJA, 1998)
www.iir.com/nygc/PublicationLinks.htm#CAYG
 National Crime Prevention Council: Teens, Crime, and
the Community www.ncpc.org/tcc
 NC Gang Investigators’ Association
www.ncgangcops.org
THE END………