Gangs in Aspen Hill

From Aspen Hill, Maryland, USA

"Gang" is a term which has multiple definitions which vary by jurisdiction.

The highest profile in the public mind belongs to "youth gangs".

Contents 1 Youth Gangs 1.1 Definitions 1.1.1 State Definition 1.1.2 County Definition 1.2 Activity 1.2.1 Alleged 1.2.1.1 Incidents 1.2.2 Known 1.2.2.1 Incidents 1.2.3 Graffiti 1.3 Youth Gangs, "Crews", and "Cliques" in Aspen Hill 1.3.1 National / Transnational Scope 1.3.1.1 Bloods 1.3.1.2 Crips 1.3.1.3 Vatos Locos / Mara Locos 1.3.1.4 Maras Salvatruchas ("MS-13") 1.3.1.5 Surenos X3 1.3.2 Local / Regional Scope 1.3.2.1 Hotboyz / Shoot 'Em Up 1.3.2.2 Up and Ready ("UnR") 2 Organized Crime and Criminal Organizations 3 Anti-Gang Programs

Youth Gangs

Definitions

State Definition

You may wish to see the Maryland Gangs website. From that website ("A Citizen's Guide to Gangs" downloaded 2008 June 6):

A youth gang is a group of three or more individuals typically between the ages of 12 and 24 who engage in delinquent or criminal activity for the benefit of its members and/or to further the reputation of the gang. The gang shares a common identity and view themselves as members of a cohesive group. It is important to gang members that others view them as a gang, as well. The common gang identity may be one or more of the following:

• The gang has a name that separates the group from others.
• Members share common symbols such as style of clothing, graffiti, and hand signs.
• Members regularly come together as a group and may claim a specific geographic location.

County Definition

The official definition of "gang" is much the same as detailed above.

Activity

Alleged

A certain amount of "alleged gang activity" is comprised within the set of things that actually happened but cannot with certainty be ascribed to intentional activity on behalf of a gang.

Incidents

Known

Incidents

Search at the website of the Montgomery Gazette.

Graffiti

If you have grafitti, contact Grafitti Abatement Partners. Their line for reporting graffiti is 301-607-4733.

Here are just a few representative examples:

Graffiti/2008/06/06/14000 Parkland Drive

• 14000 block Parkland Drive, green telco box tagged with "Sur X3" on side facing street, 2008 June 6.

Youth Gangs, "Crews", and "Cliques" in Aspen Hill

This list is primarily based on the 2006 Annual Report from the Montgomery County Department of Police, and does not at this time reflect any growth in gang membership or arrests/incarcerations/deportations of gang members since that time.

This list also does not yet reflect any changes in territories.

This list covers more than Aspen Hill proper, but is limited to the immediate surrounding areas.

Whether any of the groups here, claiming affiliation with larger groups of the same name, are actually affiliated, is uncertain.

National / Transnational Scope

Bloods

"Wheaton Bloods": Mostly black, Glenmont, 20 or so members.

Crips

"UNC Crips": Multiethnic, Glenmont, 30 or so members.

Vatos Locos / Mara Locos

Primarily "hispanic", Glenmont, 20 or more members.

Maras Salvatruchas ("MS-13")

Primarily Central American ethnic Salvadoran/American, transnational scope, primarily in Silver Spring, Wheaton Central Business District, Glenmont. 50 or more members.

Surenos X3

Primarily Chicano (Mexican-American), origins in Southern California. Not known to be affiliated.

Local / Regional Scope

Hotboyz / Shoot 'Em Up

Multiethnic, Bel Pre Road area, as many as 20 members.

Up and Ready ("UnR")

Primarily black, Aspen Hill Road/Veirs Mill Road area, as many as a dozen members.

Organized Crime and Criminal Organizations

Probably every significant "real gang" is represented here in Aspen Hill.

"Real" gangs are often much the same as youth-gangs, as young people in the "gangsta" lifestyle very rarely just grow up out of it.

Some criminal organizations have their roots in the prison system, and others in ideology such as white-supremacy, and others still have their roots in the criminal traditions of other countries and societies. Some criminal organizations are probably best thought of as extended families, as in many case that is exactly what they are.

Anti-Gang Programs

All levels of law-enforcement, from Federal through State and County, combat gangs in their own way, which is to say, investigation and prosecution for criminal acts.

Many of the County's efforts are distributed through multiple venues. The Schools, the Recreation department, and other agencies have developed and are evolving programs aimed at forestalling gang recruitment. Other programs are evolving which have a "keep them busy doing something useful" approach. Summertime non-school activities, afterschool activities during the school year, and opportunities for volunteer/community-service hours are included in this approach.

Perhaps you would like to see the website of the Joint County Gang Prevention Task Force.