Symposium to examine gang activity on The Murfreesboro Post

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Symposium to examine gang activity

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By: LISA MARCHESONI, Post Senior Writer

Posted: Sunday, March 7, 2010 6:42 am

Symposium to examine gang activity | Crime, Gangs

Gang tattoos range from elaborate to hidden like the one on this suspect's inner lip. Photos provided by MPD.

When Vice Lord Gang members shot James Earl Grant in November 2007, his brother believed after three days Murfreesboro Police Detective James Abbott didn’t care about solving the case.

What the brother didn’t know is that Abbott had worked 16-hour days tracking leads about the secretive rival gang members to help solve the case.

“Because we didn’t have a lot of information, it took a considerable amount of time with intelligence and research to identify the names and street names,” Abbott explained. “I do think about this at night.”

The brother’s comment challenged Abbott to solve a rash of gang-related murders and shootings in 2007 leading to a 64-count federal indictment in October. Trials are pending.

Indictments charged the Chicago-based gang members from Murfreesboro and Nashville from age 21 to 35 with shooting four people including Grant, kidnapping and beating an ex-member and attempting to kill nine other people from Nov. 10, 2007 to Jan. 1, 2008 in Murfreesboro. Gang members allegedly used pistols and an SKS rifle to shoot victims and conspired to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana.

Although the shootings slowed, rival gangs certainly have not disappeared. Murfreesboro Police now keep information about gang activity and attend seminars to learn the latest information.

MTSU’s Forensic Institute for Research and Education and the Tennessee Gang Investigator’s Association will hold a 2010 Youth Gang-Organized Crime symposium Thursday through Saturday at MTSU. The symposium will examine contemporary gang issues.

People interested in registering should contact www.mtsu.edu/fire/ or call 494-7896. Cost is $11 per day for a box lunch.

Abbott and law enforcement officers throughout Rutherford County will attend the seminars.

Gang membership
Abbott and Sgt. Cary Gensemer, who monitors gang activity in Murfreesboro, estimated about 22 gangs with about 400 to 500 members in Murfreesboro but not all are active. They include the Vice Lords, Asian Pride Gangs, Asian Crips, Bloods, MS-13, Gangsta Disciples, Latin Kings and Bloods.

Gensemer nabbed Vanchai Kanjanabout, 42, of Murfreesboro, two years ago. Gensemer identified him as a suspected hit man for the Asian Pride Gang all over the nation.

Gang members commit robberies, home invasions, aggravated assaults, car-jackings and reckless endangerments where they may drive by and shoot at someone’s home. Murfreesboro recorded 413 shots fired calls last year, many believed committed by gang members.

Because they belong to a gang, Abbott said members have more access to firearms and drugs. Many members join about age 14 and continue into their 40s. Females are members too.

Experts reported children and young people join gangs to get a sense of belonging.

“The bottom line is that people join is because they recruit,” Abbott said. “Someone sinks their claws into them. It’s MPR – they think they get money, get power and get respect.”

Studies show gang members are 10 times more likely to commit crimes.

Gensemer said kids join because they’re from broken homes and gangs lure kids to be part of the family.

“We will provide you love, support and protection,” Gensemer said, adding the mass media shows them gangs provide material possessions and cash.

Also, kids join because their affluent parents are “oblivious to their activities,” such as playing video games of “Mafia Wars” and “Grand Theft Auto,” the sergeant said.

Parents can keep children away from gangs by being involved in their lives and asking questions.

Fighting gangs in schools
Sheriff’s Maj. Bill Kennedy, who supervises the School Resource Officer Division, said SROs combat gang membership when they recognize a student may be affiliated through changes in dress and attitude.

SROs notify parents and counsel with the student.

“We don’t glorify gangs by educating kids about gangs,” Kennedy said. “Once we find out they’re involved, we hit them head-on. We are dealing with our gangs.”

Capt. Barry Hendrixson said some of the signs parents can watch for include possible drug abuse, loss in activities such as sports and dress change to one color like red, blue or black. They may make cryptic drawings such as five- or six-point stars.

“One of the easiest ways to find out is parents to ask the questions of their kids,” Hendrixson recommended.

SROs will be happy to meet with children and parents.

Hendrixson also instructs teachers and prospective teachers about gang signs.

Murfreesboro Police spokes-man Kyle Evans said officers offer classes such as DARE, day camps and other activities to combat gangs and partner with city schools and the Parks and Recreation Department to bring programs to children.

Gensemer challenged parents to stay involved with their children.

“Children whose parents are not involved in the child’s life end up in a gang,” Gensemer said.

Gensemer and Evans believe tougher laws about gang members could help as well such as stricter and longer prison sentences for gang members.

“We want to send out the message gangs won’t be tolerated in our neighborhoods,” Evans said.

Lisa Marchesoni can be reached at 615-869-0814 or lmarchesoni@ murfreesboropost.com

Tagged under Crime, Gangs

Member Opinions:

By: redbird on 3/7/10
If they are found to be gang members sumarly execute them.

By: aeckfam on 3/7/10
"Murfreesboro recorded 413 shots fired calls last year, many believed committed by gang members."

For all of those people who are against legal carry in parks and restaurants that serve alcohol, re-read that statement again. The argument used by many readers and by the city council members was "There is no need for people to carry their guns in the parks. Our parks are safe." More than 1 shot fired per day in Murfreesboro. That is not safe. Get a carry permit, carry, and do not let yourself become a victim to these thugs which have taken over this city.

By: donodude20 on 3/7/10
redbird, you sir, are a moron!

By: SocEtTuem on 3/8/10
The claim of 400-500 gang members is a gross underestimation of the problem. Instead of a symposium, perhaps better enforcement? Less time on revenue generating schemes like traffic cameras and more time on the issue of crime that is a genuine and far more serious threat to the community?

By: atotix on 3/8/10
Where have you been?....There's been a gang problem here for over ten years.
Suggestion: The program, SAY NO TO DRUGS, has had some success. Start a program, SAY NO TO GANGS. Start in the elementary school. These 7 and 8 year olds have brothers in gangs, and they want to grow up and be "cool" just like them. Start young and maybe in ten years, you might have a made somewhat of an impact.

If you live in Murfreesboro, THERE ARE GANGS HERE.
Now, you can't say, "I didn't know"....

By: pja123000 on 3/8/10
WE ALL KNOW ,,I`M A GRANDMOTHER AND I KNOW. LOOK AROUND AND READ THE NEWS,,ITS EVERYWHERE, THE PARKS ARE FULL OF THEM, YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE STUPID NOT TO NOTICE THEM,OR BLIND . YES WE HAD ALL BETTER GET A PERMIT TO CARRY AND BE ARMED AND SAFE FROM THE GANGS,,AND BE PREPARED TO SHOOT, IF WE DON`T KNOW HOW,`LEARN'