NG>                        This all started out about 3 years ago after
 NG> 2 drive-by drug related  shootings within a few weeks of each other
 NG> at which point LEO's made it their mission to make life as miserable
 NG> as possible for the gangs.
We have found some fairly unique ways to make life miserable for the gangs,
especially the ones actively involved in the sale of narcotics. We actually
assign officers to go up to them, shake hands with them, pat them on the
backs, strike up nice conversations with them, and stay for awhile. You would
be surprised what havoc this causes with the customers and their criminal
associates. We make sure we are there on a regular basis, at least 2 or 3
times a shift, and some officers even stop there to do their paperwork. It's
amazing how effective these tactics are. If this doesn't work, I've gone so
far as to assign an officer for the entire shift to park right in the middle
of them. This usually works on the activity that is out in the wide open for
everyone to see. If the gang has the turf established, we need the eyes and
ears of the citizens in the area to help us. When they move, we move. In
terms of manpower, dealing with gangs is manpower intensive and costly, but
there are few choices if you want to stay in control.
Tom
... 640K ought to be enough for anybody. -Bill Gates, 1981.
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