Gang Graffiti Meeting Draws Huge Turnout
It was squeezing-room-only at Jefferson Elementary School on Tuesday night as more than 500 people listened to police talk about gang problems on the South Hill.
“I just want to emphasize to you that this is real,” officer Barry O’Connell, who lives on the South Hill, told residents at the Block Watch meeting. “It’s a fight, all right?”
Spray-painted gang graffiti has cropped up on the South Hill recently in Lincoln Heights, near Comstock Park and in other neighborhoods. More than 50 incidents of graffiti have been reported south of 18th Avenue since the beginning of the year, said Larry Saunders, a Special Investigations Unit officer and gang specialist.
The last gang awareness meeting held by the Block Watch program attracted only about 50 people. Block Watch organizers prepared for 200 residents Tuesday night. They miscalculated.
Residents sat on folding chairs, on the floor and on the stage. They were sandwiched into all corners. Many spilled out into the hallway. Some left.
“Usually when a group this large comes together, fear is a motivator,” Saunders told the crowd. “Is everyone a little bit scared out there?”
Most people in the crowd nodded their heads or murmured their agreement.
The police and Block Watch representatives advised people to:
Stick together and start Block Watches in areas lacking chapters.
Be aware of children’s activity - of gang signs scribbled on homework or doodled at school, of major and negative behavior changes.
Call Crime Watch and the Gang Emphasis Patrol about gang graffiti. The police will photograph the graffiti, and the residents should then clean it up “as soon as possible,” Saunders said.
“Don’t hesitate to be the squeaky wheel,” Block Watch Director Debbie Davis said. “We all know that’s how things get done. … We have to be the eyes and ears of the police department.”
Residents said they wanted to stop gang activity before it gets more serious on the South Hill.
“I changed my schedule to be here, to hopefully stem the flow at an early point,” said Bob Lawrence, adding that he hadn’t seen any graffiti. “I’ve only heard about it. I’d like to keep it that way.”
Ruth Peterson, a Block Watch representative, was concerned about Hamblen Park. People have spray-painted the picnic area with graffiti and knocked the noses off of seal sculptures.
Although she’s concerned, Peterson said it’s important to maintain perspective.
“Don’t panic,” she said. “Don’t hide in your house, for heaven’s sake.”
Police advised residents to call Crime Check at 456-2233 or the Gang Emphasis Patrol at 626-7247 whenever they see gang graffiti or activity. In emergencies, call 911.