Gangs and Gun Culture in St. Louis City of St. Louis Pop: 320,000 100% urban World-class sports, arts, museums, zoo Like many Cities, unique places political divisions

Urban Challenges Ties into what the chief talked about—kids don’t have resources, reason for motivation, etc. White Graduation Rate: 90.5% http://mcds.dese.mo.gov/guidedinquiry/District%20and%20Building%20Graduation%20and%20Dropout%20Indic/District%20Graduation%20Rates.aspx?rp:DistrictCode=115115&rp:SchoolYear=2014&rp:SchoolYear=2013&rp:SchoolYear=2012&rp:SchoolYear=2011 Teen Pregnancy http://www.teenpregnancy-mo.org/resources/files/TPRates1519MO2012CHART&MAP.pdf 10% of AA unemployed in February 2015 29.3% of residents lived in poverty as of 2012 62.7% per thousand teen pregnancy rate

Gun Violence: Our Biggest Challenge 138 lives lost to gun violence in 2014 31 armed robberies in four days 8 homicides in 24 hours In 2014, over 470 guns were stolen in the city 2015, some of loosest gun laws in country Easy access to guns by youth RAS do numbers from 2015 instead

Homicide Rate Over Time Chief of Police in the 2000’s (Mokwa) had aggressive approach to gangs. Violent crime and homicides continued to trend down Saw tremendous benefit of working together, combating gang activity, Funding was allowing agencies to do good work

2016 (YTD to March) Crime Report Homicides: 35 Robbery with Weapon: 268 Assault: 743 Assault with a Gun: 391 As of April

Problem prior to 2015 Disbanding of gang units Defunding of resources Perspective that gangs aren’t a problem Single parent/grandparent home without access to social services…don’t know what to do with child who has gun/carrying gun No intelligence within the CAO can talk about how denying the issue doesn’t make it go away but, instead, makes it worse. History of Law Enforcement Denial--single greatest catalyst for gang growth and commensurate victimization of law abiding public Former Chief of Police’s policy to close eyes to realities Policy was basically: “Deny, Disband and Disengage” Recalcitrant approach caused gangs to grow, intensify and flourish at the expense of public safety “Gangs aren’t what they used to be” “Small, unorganized, loose affiliations” “Disputes not related to gangs or drugs” “People tied by blocks or some kinds of friendship they have” “Don’t give them credibility” Youth believe they “need” to carry guns

147 Gangs Formed by geography Expanding territories 3,838 documented gang members in City 2,530 documented gang members in County 1,235 incarcerated 868 on probation or parole Formed by geography Expanding territories Rolling gun battles Impacting commerce the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Gang Task Force worked diligently through 2014 to understand and grasp the region issues and trends, while constantly sharing information, resources and strategies developed by the SLMPD to reduce the violence and overall participation in any type of street gang involvement. 3838 documented gang members in the city. 2,530 documented gang members in the county. 267 of those are deceased. 1235 are incarcerated. 868 are on Missouri or Federal Probation and Parole. These three gangs started in a certain geographic region and have spread because they were ignored Their crimes are getting more brazen—daytime shootings, shootouts on highways, multiple homicides at once Civil unrest aside, the regional gang trends have been steady since 2013, in culture and trending social phenomenon. The use of social media has impacted modern day criminal street gangs and the unincorporated and unofficial affiliation to umbrella gangs (i.e. bloods and crips). Circulatory, viral propaganda and the unrestricted access to produce and promote digital media, including YouTube videos, collage photos, paint apps etc. are trending and every popular amongst active, documented and undocumented gang members and those younger individuals who associate only through an online presence Numbers are combined because the gang population is transient between city and county

Gang Demographic General age: 14-19 Youngest: 9 Oldest: 44

Hybrid-style gangs or “teams” Juvenile gangs Knock-out game Social media Street fighting and videos Rolling gun battles/status Juvenile gangs (Hybrid gangs) such as “Teams” and “Squads” became a rapidly trending culture in St. Louis. The “Mob” mentality coupled with instances around the country of “knock out games” became viral internet sensations amongst youth. During this trending time, juvenile homicides were prevalent in the St. Louis region, leaving the masses to quickly associate and form groups in honor of those murdered high school students. The SLMPD began to see Hybrid style gangs take form in the City in early to mid 2013. The first incident involving a "Team" (common identifying group label adopted originally by groups of juveniles to memorialize other juveniles in their schools who were murdered) name was during the 2013 Annie Malone May Day Parade. A group of approximately 70-80 juveniles ran through the crowds taunting police and disrupting the event, instances of citizens being pushed to the ground as they were running were reported. While St. Louis has not seen a true organized gang structure in many years, we continue to see the mixing of gangs or acknowledgement of alliances by these "Teams". Instances of large crowds and fighting have occurred in different parts of the city, of which, social media allowed for instant uploading of those involved. Through these fight videos in conjunction with investigative techniques, we have been able to identify the following Hybrid Gangs or "Teams" as playing roles in some criminal street activity in different areas of the city

The Gun Culture “Everyone” is carrying a gun Glory, glamour, status symbol Rationalize as “protection”

CAO response Office Reorganization Working with Chief of Police and Federal Partners 3 “R” - Remove, Redirect, Resolve New Chief “gets it” Have to compensate for mistakes of past Gangs and guns are now a law enforcement and prosecution priority Partnership and initiatives between and among St. Louis law enforcement and prosecution (current and planned) Intelligence, investigation, suppression and enforcement units Focusing on gang elements of crimes Directing attention to brining the gangs down as opposed to “One for One” prosecution of individual defendants (heads of the Hydra) Training of officers, investigators, analysts, and prosecutors Specialized prosecution units Serving notice on general public and gangs that we will be aggressive, unrelenting, and effective Possible legislative initiatives Assuring businesses and tourism interests that investment in St. Louis is a safe and productive “gang free” option Making sure that families can see the Cardinals, Rams, and Blues, feeling safe and wearing what they want

Remove Focus on building intel -- CSU -- intelligence -- formed new partnership with all federal agencies. Now have 3 national guard analysists -- Identify drivers in partnership with SLMPD -- Mission save -- Enhanced written sentencing memorandum -- Implemented Gun Stat

Redirect Enhanced diversion -- piloting a gun diversion program -- work with P& P to enhance Gang “CPR” -- intensive supervision -- Gun Court launched (possession) // -- will track and measure through our Gunstat and AOI

Resolve Launched multi-prong communication plan -- social media outreach -- main stream media primary communication tool www.stlguncrime.com -- community meetings with 10 things you can do to combat gun crime

Resolve & Community Input – What Can Parents Do? Consent to search -- SLMPD and CAO worked out a “consent to search program” -- knock on doors and ask for guns -- Expand – to partnership with Juvenile court providing services - call line - agreement for no prosecution for possession -- services from Juvenile court -- Too early to tell

ATTENTION A GUN HAS BEEN FOUND IN YOUR HOME This gun may have been in the illegal possession of one of your children. Possession of a firearm can cause grave injury or death to you, your family or others. If you would like to seek help from the Family Court for your child, both of you may appear before a Judge and Deputy Juvenile Officer at the Family Court Building located at 920 N. Vandeventer, St. Louis, Mo. 63108 on ________________ at _____ a.m./p.m. Your appearance is voluntary. The Court can provide information about guns and answer questions that you might have in order to guide your child away from this pattern of destructive behavior. PLEASE BRING THIS PAPER WITH YOU AND PRESENT IT TO THE SECURITY OFFICER IN THE LOBBY OF THE FAMILY COURT BUILDING.

R Rachel A. Smith Chief Prosecutor – Community Partnership Bureau smithr@stlouiscao.org 314-641-8244

Photo Credits: Sources Stltoday.com www.stlouis-mo.gov Facebook.com Stlamerican.com Getty Images Kmov.com Treehugger.com doubletree3.Hilton.com