Hispanic Gangs in Cobb County, GA PADM 7240 James Herndon June 14, 2005

Table of Contents The Problem Slides 3-7 Organizations Slides 8-9 Cooperation Slides 11-12 Improvements Slide 13 Works Cited Slide 14

The Problem Cobb County, GA has a current Hispanic population of more than 50,000 according to the 2000 census and a transient undocumented population that may exceed 160,000 (US Department of Labor) Many do not speak English. Good paying jobs are hard to find, especially for those who have illegally entered the U.S. Many do not attend schools or only attend for only a short time before dropping out. They lack options and resources to become productive members of the community. Sureno 13 members Pictures courtesy of Cobb County C.A.G.E unit

New Hispanic residents are forced into lower income areas of the county due to lack of resources and being illegal aliens. Many new residents face the challenge of keeping their kids away from gangs that already exist in the area. Many newcomers are gang members who have been forced to move but bring their gang affiliation with them to Cobb County. Mara Salvatrucha rally in El Salvador Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

Many juveniles find their safety at risk by NOT being a member of a gang in their neighborhood. Hispanic Gangs are unique in that they have members in all 17 high schools in the county. Cobb County has the 2nd largest school system in the state and the 30th largest nationally according to the school district with more than 102,000 students in the school system. Gang members presence in the local jail has risen by over 340% in the past 5 years according to Cobb Sheriff records. Hispanic Population has increased by 650% in the county according to the GCIR (slide 14) while the Hispanic population in GA has increased 300%. ( 2000 US Census) Mara Salvatrucha or “MS 13” Gang member Picture from associated press 2005

Culture and language barriers prevent traditional means of intervention in school and law enforcement from working. Basic distrust of law enforcement and government entities prevent solutions. Based on hundreds of interviews I have conducted it seems that many turn to gangs as a form of employment, entertainment and the appeal of the gang culture. Some gang members in Cobb county are 5 and 6th generation members, having moved from the western United States. Behaviors are ingrained to the point it is an acceptable part of their culture. Westside Norteno 14 in Cobb County Picture Confiscated during arrest 09/20/2003 Mara Salvatrucha Gang member Associated Press 2004

In Cobb County, the CAGE Unit, Cobb Anti Gang Enforcement, has identified more than 35 different gangs and more than 1,000 gang members. 90% percent of the gang members in Cobb County are Hispanic or Latino, 5 percent are African American or Black and the remaining 5 percent are made up of other groups. (CAGE, 2004) Based on interviews it is a fact in Cobb County that Hispanic gangs start recruiting at an earlier age than other metro Atlanta gangs due to many Hispanic juveniles not attending school and dropping out at an early age. No one monitors or looks for a child when they drop out of school if they are an illegal alien. Picture Courtesy of Cobb CAGE Unit 2005

Organizations Local law enforcement agencies: Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder Springs, Smyrna, Cobb Police, Cobb Sheriff The local agencies in Cobb county have a single database to track and identify gang members. Sheriff’s Deputies and Police officers are stationed in most high schools and some primary schools. The Cobb Anti Gang Unit gives presentations to local communities to educate them on the ill effects of gangs and how to help combat the violence that arises from gang activity. Adult and Juvenile probation give presentations and speak with at risk children about the dangers of gang life.

Cobb County Schools School system has counselors specializing in helping immigrant Hispanic families find resources for education and basic needs. This includes English as a second language classes and individualized education plans. Must Ministries Provides assistance for those needing shelter, food and financial resources to get back on their feet. Boys and Girls Clubs of America Gang Intervention Provides mentoring by former gang members and community volunteers to steer kids toward positive activities. Keeps Kids busy and happy, two antidotes to gang life!

Cobb County Community Services Board Provides counseling and assistance to Hispanic community. Cobb County DFACS Assists at-risk children, adults, and families to achieve stability, good health, security, self-reliance, and over all well being. Eighteenth Street Gang Member Picture from Cobb CAGE unit 2004 La Raza book cover 2005 Courtesy Marco Silva Gwinnett County Police Department

Working Together Law enforcement and non profits are have distinctly different roles. Law enforcement does just that, they enforce the law. Non profits are better able to reach children before they join gangs. Hispanic immigrants communities tend to be Catholic. Priests and community leaders are able to educate youth and parents on the dangers of gangs in a forum unreachable by the police through outreach programs provided by the church. The church also allows a “friendly” place to introduce local government leaders to the Hispanic community. 18th Street mural Courtesy LAPD gang unit Date unknown

Donations of equipment, such as computers and furniture are transferred from the county government surplus to non-profits for use in after school programs such as the Boys & Girls clubs to keep kids occupied and out of trouble. Cooperation is difficult at times due to funding of each organization. Government and Law enforcement compete for ideas of how grants should be used to combat gang activity. Government relies on taxes while non profits rely on donations. Competing interests are at hand. Law enforcement wants to reduce crime and clean up the community by being aggressive. The non profits are passive in their approach and want to help all in the community, even those who are deemed criminal.

Improvements Non profits and government need to work together to obtain the maximum amount of grants and local funds. Government needs to work with churches, crisis intervention centers and other private individuals to have the maximum effect on gang activity. Reaching school age children is essential and must be accomplished by sometimes going outside of traditional governmental means such as local churches and civic centers. Law enforcement and non profits must cooperate not compete!

Works Cited http://www.cobb.k12.ga.us/ Cobb County School District http://www.cobb.k12.ga.us/ Cobb County Police Department, Cobb Anti Gang Enforcement June,2005 Grant Makers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) http://www.gcir.org/about_immigration/us_counties.htm U.S. Census, Cobb County GA 2000 http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13/13067.html Personal Interviews of more than 800 gang members at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center 2002 – 2005 Deputy JJ Herndon Statistical Intake Profiles by Race at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center 1999-2004, Deputy JJ Herndon Must Ministries, Part of Catholic Charities of Atlanta I have visited this organization and worked with them on numerous occasions both on the “job” and off. 2001-2005 JJ Herndon Cobb County Government Website detailing donations made by the Cobb County Government to charity http://www.cobbcounty.org/boc/boards_auth.htm