Even with the recent arrest of a high-ranking gang member, Evansville Police say the problem is prevalent and progressing.
The increased focus on Evansville's gang problem comes on the heels of Sunday morning's shooting near Vann and Covert Avenues. The dispute involved members of the LA Zombies, who originate from the southside.
Authorities say it appears the gang is moving a bit more to the east and it's up to the community to stop them.
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While the LA Zombies originate from the southside, they don't exclusively call Linwood and Adams, their birthplace, home.
"If you refuse to acknowledge there's a gang problem, you're not going to win the battle against it," said EPD Sgt. Jason Cullum.
That battle appears to be moving to another front further to the east and is illustrated by Sunday morning's shooting near Vann and Covert Avenues. To prevent a culture of fear, Evansville Police have to combat the culture of denial.
"The denial mentality is what these gangs in Evansville are relying on," said Sgt. Jason Cullum. "What we're asking for is public support."
Police have that support in Tom Littlepage, the President of the Southeast Side Neighborhood Association.
While crime is inevitable, he doesn't want his house and his neighborhood to be the backdrop of the LA Zombies' next YouTube video.
"It is a little unnerving it is moving into our part of town," said Littlepage. "The best thing we can do is be the eyes and ears to help EPD do their job and just report suspicious activity."
It takes every home to make a good neighborhood but only one home to make a bad neighborhood. That's why police say the effort has to be concerted to let potential gang members know they're not welcome in any neighborhood.
"If [gang members] can walk among us and stand on a corner and sling dope and carry guns without fear of police or the neighborhood, that's just letting them get a good foothold and thrive as a gang," said Sgt. Cullum.
Evansville Police have stepped up patrols in the area of Vann and Covert. The department will also utilize space at McGary Middle School through an agreement with the EVSC. While it won't be a traditional sector office, it will provide a hub for the department.
Evansville police arrested 19-year-old Dalarrius Jackson in connection with Sunday's shooting. He's the second in command of the LA Zombies gang, according to police.
Last year, EPD arrested the number one in command, Derrick Murray after he allegedly threatened police online. Without leadership, police now worry the gang will become less predictable.
Also, police worry about what they call 'hybrid gangs.' Hybrid gangs are the combination of several smaller gangs.
We'll keep you updated.
The increased focus on Evansville's gang problem comes on the heels of Sunday morning's shooting near Vann and Covert Avenues. The dispute involved members of the LA Zombies, who originate from the southside.
Authorities say it appears the gang is moving a bit more to the east and it's up to the community to stop them.
***
While the LA Zombies originate from the southside, they don't exclusively call Linwood and Adams, their birthplace, home.
"If you refuse to acknowledge there's a gang problem, you're not going to win the battle against it," said EPD Sgt. Jason Cullum.
That battle appears to be moving to another front further to the east and is illustrated by Sunday morning's shooting near Vann and Covert Avenues. To prevent a culture of fear, Evansville Police have to combat the culture of denial.
"The denial mentality is what these gangs in Evansville are relying on," said Sgt. Jason Cullum. "What we're asking for is public support."
Police have that support in Tom Littlepage, the President of the Southeast Side Neighborhood Association.
While crime is inevitable, he doesn't want his house and his neighborhood to be the backdrop of the LA Zombies' next YouTube video.
"It is a little unnerving it is moving into our part of town," said Littlepage. "The best thing we can do is be the eyes and ears to help EPD do their job and just report suspicious activity."
It takes every home to make a good neighborhood but only one home to make a bad neighborhood. That's why police say the effort has to be concerted to let potential gang members know they're not welcome in any neighborhood.
"If [gang members] can walk among us and stand on a corner and sling dope and carry guns without fear of police or the neighborhood, that's just letting them get a good foothold and thrive as a gang," said Sgt. Cullum.
Evansville Police have stepped up patrols in the area of Vann and Covert. The department will also utilize space at McGary Middle School through an agreement with the EVSC. While it won't be a traditional sector office, it will provide a hub for the department.
Evansville police arrested 19-year-old Dalarrius Jackson in connection with Sunday's shooting. He's the second in command of the LA Zombies gang, according to police.
Last year, EPD arrested the number one in command, Derrick Murray after he allegedly threatened police online. Without leadership, police now worry the gang will become less predictable.
Also, police worry about what they call 'hybrid gangs.' Hybrid gangs are the combination of several smaller gangs.
We'll keep you updated.
Comments
these so called gang need to be stopped ,...manpower to do it is lacking,i understand ,but be like the olden day deputize a few hundred good people willing to do what needs to be done ,take back your town and neighborhoods from these thugs......its up to us the public to work on this ,and you as police officers giving us the right to do our duty,..and the judge to enforce the legal punishment upon those thugs ...as a gang member 1 yr prison first offense ...5 the second life the 3rd.stop this problem in its tracts .
keith k.
January 22, 2013 at 7:32 pm
these so called gang need to be stopped ,...manpower to do it is lacking,i understand ,but be like the olden day deputize a few hundred good people willing to do what needs to be done ,take back your town and neighborhoods from these thugs......its up to us the public to work on this ,and you as police officers giving us the right to do our duty,..and the judge to enforce the legal punishment upon those thugs ...as a gang member 1 yr prison first offense ...5 the second life the 3rd.stop this problem in its tracts .
keith k.
January 22, 2013 at 7:31 pm
