Life's Odyssey

Gangs and the Internet

Gangs have grown in their activities since the 1970s. As technology has advanced so has the nature of recruitment and their criminal activity have given rise to the internet and its resources. Today, personal and business web sites abound with reasons to join gangs. Blogs, instant messaging, and web cameras have replaced social meetings that used to occur on a regular basis.

When gangs are mentioned in this context they do not consider racial or social bounds. This context is an area of configuration that encompasses all gangs whether it is the common wannabe street gang, the more organized gangs such as the Crips and Vice Lords, hate groups, or the now more modernized motorcycle gangs.

Some time ago, I wrote a piece on gang activity in Augusta, Georgia. Then gangs were not using the internet in its most useful ways. Denial was in the air that there were gangs in Augusta. They were in the city, however, for I sought them out and watched graffiti replace newly painted walls in certain areas of town. Even the newspapers and senior law enforcement officials would not acknowledge what was happening until it was almost too late. Even now, it is hard to keep the line tight, especially when it could have been done long ago. The same thing can be said about the internet. There are those who do not understand and at first were in denial about such progress in the world of gangs and gang members. Local and national law enforcement agencies across the country have finally realized there is a problem and are now effectively tracking these persons through their own internet gang task force divisions.

Computer prices have dropped drastically over the past several years, making it easy for a gang member, whether the person is employed or through ill-gotten gains, to purchase a computer. To buy a computer comes much easier than committing a burglary to obtain one.

It is not only a problem in the United States with gangs using the internet to reach out and “touch someone.” This is happening in all corners of the world from Central America to Asia. The only difference is that some are more technologically advanced than others deepening on where on lives.

According to the Taipei Times (2005), the internet houses an array of web landscapes that attract the attention of youth. Chinese investigators have found that gangs in their country are foregoing more traditional recruiting methods and are now using their own websites for recruitment. Besides the recruitment method, gang members are rising in seniority more quickly than ever before. This is due to many of the educated members being computer savvy and bringing more to the table than brute force (p. 2).

The internet is now a gangsters paradise. The gangs inside the United States that are using websites for recruitment purposes are also using this method to start new chapters in other countries around the world. According to Daren Briscoe, who writes for Newsweek Magazine (2006), people from all corners of the world are sending e-mails to major gang organizations such as the Crips, Bloods, and Gangster Disciples in an effort to start a chapter where they live (pp. 51-52). This be anywhere from Australia to Zimbabwe. American gangs might start to go worldwide, but it has become more of a fad than anything else. Why is chartering a fad? On the websites gang members place pictures of themselves with weapons, alcohol, drugs, and women. They flash their signs and colors, daring anyone to intrude on their “turf” whether it be on real property or in cyberspace.

In cyberspace, danger may not seem obvious, but in truth it is only a mouse click away. Danger can be seen in messages hidden within gang photographs or signings. Chartrooms are used for the purpose of informing others in the gang about how different situations are handled. Drug transactions can be set up, and “hits” can be scheduled. Newsweek Magazine (2006)states that law enforcement authorities have intervened in fights in Massachusetts and Texas from arranged meetings between rival gangs (pp.51-52). As time goes by these meetings will become more deadly.

Gangs are using websites not only for recruitment strategies, but also sinister admissions into the world of crime. Criminal activity can consist of drug buys and sells, fronts for selling stolen items, especially weapons, hits on other gangs, and even portray requested violence toward law enforcement personnel. It was only a short time ago that some gangs were using their websites as places to offer contracts or rewards for those who killed or injured police officers.

When it comes to more complicated measures of the computer world, gangs in the United States have a much harder time trying to hack into large system or venture into computer fraud. There are gang members who have furthered their skills with computers and is seen in China rise further in rank than others who entered at the same level. The San Francisco Chronicle (2001) reports that gangs oftentimes go to local libraries for the purpose of using computers for free so they can work on smaller website projects and blogs (P. D1).. Internet coffee shops have now become a new avenue for the same type activity.

The internet has also become a telephone highway. It is time that law enforcement acknowledge the use of telephone communication through the internet. Gang members are using this method instead of the usual land line or mobile phone that may be listened to by law enforcement authorities. Imagine the possibilities and damage that one gang alone can accomplish with this method.

There are a few organizations directed toward the urban environment and computer related gang activity that are attempting to curve the trend of internet website recruitment and crimes. One websites that works to stop gang violence and internet abuse is gangstyle.com. The San Francisco Chronicle (2001)reports that some 345,000 gang members in a period of six months visited the site (p. D1). The sites counsel gang members through active e-mail and various other information tools wherein people can express themselves. Other areas discourage the use of the internet for gang related issues.

A trend that has become an efficient tool for gang members is to use the website My Space. This site allows members to create their own web pages for free. Just about any content can be placed onto it. Investigator Tess Alexander-Brunson states that thousands of gang and individual gang member websites can be found there. Throughout the Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia area, the site has become a definitive recruiting tool for smaller gangs. Gang sites can be found by searching gang names, member names, and neighborhood locales. To recruit in larger numbers and to stop a decline as current members are incarcerated, move, or finally make it out of the gang environment, the creation of simple and free websites unfortunately help to curve the problem.

As mentioned earlier, hate groups and self-made gangs of similar content are using the internet for their recruitment purposes. The Southern Poverty Law Center Intelligence Reports (2006) states that the son of a former Klu Klux Klan member had his son at the age of nine build him a website so he could recruit young teens into his organization . This site as well as others have encouraged teenagers and young adults to bypass the major groups and start the development of their own gangs. Starting groups this way is because the members may not agree with every aspect of the ideology of the larger groups. Similar organization can be seen in the ranks of the Klu Klux Klan and Skinhead groups. Both have membership that is declining, so even though neither have exactly the same outlook and belief of what the other represents, they have joined together to promote their purposes. It is here that they are using websites to recruit in an efforts to resupply their dying lines.

These websites are a step up from the rallies, paper literature, and the lone recruiter that stands on the corner of some downtown area where children are walking home after school. Here, young people can bend to curiosity and read about what these groups represent, and at times, the one that is vulnerable, the one that the members are looking for stumbles across the website.

Other methods are used through the websites in an attempt to recruit members such as the selling of goods over the internet. Most of the time it is racist or gang related T-Shirts, personal member gang related rap music, and hard rock tainted with racist and hate group lyrics.

Problems within the internet will continue as the realization by gang members and other groups that knowledge of the computer world is now a necessity for their survival. The acknowledgement of this statement should not be mistaken for thought that gangs would cease to exist. It simply is to be interpreted that for gangs to become successful in the world of computers and the internet they will need to become more educated in the field. Being educated for the wrong reasons is not an entertaining statement, but with gangs becoming aware that computers is their future, the probability of their success will be forthcoming.

Bibliography

Southern Poverty Law Center . Retrieved April 11, 2006, from http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=474&printable=1

Kirby, C. (2001, January 01). Crews Show Off Their Colors and Lifestyle on the Web. The San Francisco Chronicle D1.

Briscoe, D. (2006, March). Crime: ‘Netbangers,’ Beware. Newsweek, 51-52.

Staff Writer (2005, September 04). Virtual Gangs targeting Youth. Taipei Times, p.2.

I wrote this story a couple of years ago for my son.  There were two reasons for me writing it.  One is because of his love for trains.  The other is I enjoy studying the personality of President Woodrow "Tommy" Wilson.  He was undoubtedly one of the most important U.S. Presidents we had the opportunity to vote into office.  So these two elements come together in a story to enlighten the reader's heart.

  The Passenger Car

Rays of sunshine wavered across Edward as he sat at the breakfast table reading a section of newspaper with his father. Reading was a favorite activity for Edward, making him feel like a grownup. It was wonderful traveling to different parts of the world through words.

Edward admired many great Americans, especially former United States Presidents. He had been following the current President, Woodrow Wilson, in the paper, by listening to him on the radio since the election.

But today was different. Eyes wide he read the front page. “President Wilson Campaigns in Chicago.”

“I have to get to the train station today,” he thought.

After breakfast, he ran upstairs and put on his best set of clothes; out the door he went, running to the train station as fast as he could. Out of breath, with legs like rubber. He made it.

In the distance he could see the rail yard, it looked so big with the rails running in zigzag patterns. People everywhere were trying to board. After almost an hour of searching, Edward found the train he was looking for.

The pullmancar at the end of the train sported brass railings and fittings. How gloriously it shined! Edward’s eyes gleamed, never before had he seen such a bright red color as the one that covered the metal walls. “Wilson for President” and “Win With Wilson” proclaimed the side of the car in large white letters. American flags whipped in the wind; red, white, and blue balloons adorned the metal posts of the car.

Banners draped the sides of the car in Presidential tradition. People stood around the vehicle waiting for the chance to glimpse their hero. Not far behind them was Edward, peeping through the crowd for a vantage point, sensing his way through the legs of hundreds of onlookers. He was determined to meet the President, if only to shake his hand, it would be enough. But how?

Edward saw the steps leading to the door of President Wilson’s quarters, it was ajar.

“If only I could get to that door!”, he whispered.

The crowd began to swelled with cheering and flag waving. It wouldn’t be long now before the President arrived to board his train.

“Now it’s time,” Edward thought. The man standing next to the door, distracted by the noise of the crowd, turned to observe all of the commotion.

Biting his lip, Edward snuck up the stairs, through the door, and into the passenger car. “I have to find a hiding place!” he said under his breath.

He hid behind a large trunk, the kind used for travel clothes, the perfect spot. He heard the crowd getting louder. The President had arrived, and it would be only a matter of minutes before he came onto the train.

Several men entered the compartment. Edward took in a large breath and peeked around the side of the trunk, eyes opened wide.

In the room stood a tall man dressed in a smart suit and top hat surrounded by his associates. On his nose was a pair of small-framed wire glasses, which seemed to belong to the scholarly looking face. He jubilantly talked to his company.

Edward knew this was President Wilson, the man he had admired for so long, and he could not believe he was in the same room with him. All of a sudden it happened. A tickle in his nose, a sneezing fit.

“What do I do? I’ll be found out!” Edward thought in a panic. But it was too late the first sneeze came, and then another, and another.

The men in the room turned and looked at the trunk. A soldier strode over to the baggage and pulled it aside. “What’s the meaning of this?” the man yelled. “Get up and come with me!”

Edward got up slowly, looking down at the floor as the soldier took him by the arm. “Now explain yourself!” he demanded. All eyes were on Edward.

He looked up, and he saw a man in a tan uniform with shining medals. He was a bit short, but had a firm thickness to his body. The soldier’s hair was graying, and he had a mustache covered in wax that turned up into handlebars.

“Who are you, boy?” asked the soilder.

“Edward, sir.” he replied, in a quivering voice.

“And what are you doing here?” .

Edward was speechless.

He looked up, and saw President Wilson staring down at him. “Take my hand, boy!” said the President gently. “Pay no mind to Colonel Asa. He is my military travel companion to make sure I stay safe.”

The President took Edward over to a mahogany table with matching chairs and motioned for him to sit. “Now why are you here?”

“I only wanted to meet you, if only for a minute,” said Edward.

“I have a story to tell you, Edward,” said the President, his folded hands on the table. “You see, it was shortly after the Civil War when I was a young lad. One day, the streets rang with the news of General Robert E. Lee coming into town. I was anxious to meet him, but when he finally arrived, there were people everywhere. I had to find a way to talk with him, and I would do anything. So, I crawled and squeezed through the bodies of all the people in front of me and was able to get next to the General. He looked down at me, and I was so awe struck I didn’t know what to say. But he smiled, shook my hand, and said hello. That was one of the most glorious of times for me, Edward. I hope you will remember our meeting for a long time. Now let me shake your hand and off you go.”

“You bet I will, Mr. President,” said Edward. Outside he stood for several minutes watching as the train rolled away into the distance. “You bet I will,” he whispered.