Sgt. Wood Re: ‘Hybrid Gangs’
Sgt. Christie Wood (re: Joe Kunka's comment about 'hybrid gangs' from debate last night (in dropdown box): Mr. Kunka related information he heard at a gang presentation that he may not have understood well, or he simply was not able to explain it in the time allotment he had. We do not 
have a "Hybrid Gang" as in a gang with that name. Our gang officer relayed that we may have hybrids found in our area because we do not have established gangs that are recognizable such as the "Bloods" or "Crips". We have youth in our area that learn about gangs through television, internet etc. They take some of the notions and concepts and emulate them in some way. They may add a local flavor that is something unique to them. They do not claim to be a member of an established recognizable gang. The term "Hybrid" is used to describe this. "Wannabe" used to be a popular term for it but it is not a correct description since these youth are active in committing crimes. The investigation of gang activity remains a priority for the Police Department.
Q -6 (biggest accomplishment in last 4 years) … Bloem: The biggest accomplishment is that we have a really built place. We have a lot of space. It only becomes “place” when we endow it with value and make it a better place. We need to continue that kind of philosophy (whether library, Midtown, Kroc Center). Quality of life is creating a place that we all want to be. Kunka: I give kudos to Sandi and the council for this library and the Kroc Center and a lot of things they have done. Coeur d'Alene has grown into an attractive, appealing town. There's another side that needs to be considered. We have high-bred gangs in this town. They are formed to cause trouble. We had 3 or 4 of these gangs when I ran 4 years ago. Today there's 7 or 8. We need to look behind the curtain and see what's going on behind the curtain. We need to be a safe place to attract jobs and business. We're on the verge of not being a safe place.
