Information provided by Raleigh Police Department (RPD)
On June 14, Major R.W. Grayson of the RPD announced the release of “The Raleigh Police Department’s Response to Gang Activity: 2009 Public Report,” which describes the RPD’s broad and proactive approach toward gang prevention, intervention, and suppression. Highlights of the report include:
- A general overview of gangs in Raleigh, including demographics and criminal activity
- A description of the RPD units involved in the department’s response to gang-related crime
- A listing of the RPD’s programs and partnerships related to gang prevention, intervention, and suppression
- A forecast of what can be expected in the arena of gang activity on the local and national level
Grayson is the commander of the RPD’s Detective Division, which investigates gang-related cases and collects data regarding gang involvement in Raleigh. He notes that the RPD’s actions during 2009 resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of cases involving gangs. “Our agency’s philosophy of aggressive enforcement combined with proactive intervention strategies has resulted in a 49 percent reduction in citywide gang-related incidents,” said Grayson.
Of the 1,417 gang-related crimes reported in Raleigh during 2009, gang-related drug cases dropped 43 percent, firearm cases involving gang members were down 53 percent, assaults involving gangs decreased by 67 percent, and gang-related robberies were down by 56 percent. Fifty-six percent of gang-related crime in Raleigh occurred in the RPD Southeast District; however, there was no area in the city that was completely free from gang-related incidents.
Partnering with the community, the RPD has initiated several gang prevention, intervention, and suppression initiatives in recent years. In 2006, the RPD formed a Gang Suppression Unit to address gang-related criminal activity and in 2008, the Gang Intelligence Unit was created to collect, analyze and disseminate information relating to gang activity. The RPD also recently began a mentor initiative in which retired police officers work as part-time mentors to at-risk children at the Sgt. Courtney T. Johnson, Tarboro Road, and Roberts Park community centers in Southeast Raleigh. Members of the department’s Gang Suppression Unit and Selective Enforcement Unit also work closely with Second Round Boxing, a non-profit organization that works to teach life skills to at-risk youth through boxing and physical conditioning.
The RPD has also partnered with several City of Raleigh departments and community organizations in its efforts to prevent gang crime. During the summer months, the RPD works with Raleigh Parks and Recreation to provide a number of enrichment programs to keep children off the streets and away from the lure of gangs. The RPD has received federal funding for equipment, training and overtime related to gang suppression efforts. Using these resources in an effort known as Project 110%, team members are working to transition areas in zip codes 27601 and 27610 that have been seriously harmed by gang activity into more attractive, safe and prosperous communities. Also, the RPD is one of many groups involved in the Wake County Gang Prevention Partnership, which aims to prevent youth gang activity and violence through community mobilization.
“Our efforts to provide a safer environment for the citizens of Raleigh will continue as we expand RPD’s Youth and Family Services Section and intervention programs while still addressing overt criminal gang activity with the expansion of street enforcement efforts,” said Grayson.
The full version of the report can be accessed via the RPD Web site at www.raleighnc.gov/police.
Tags: crime_prevention, gangs, park, raleigh, RPD, wake county