He described the task force as an informal, volunteer effort, and discussed the need to educate locals about gang activity in the area. He also talked about the vital role the community can play in assisting law enforcement.
"The gang task force is set on three prongs— education, prevention and intervention," he said in an interview on Tuesday.
Currently, law enforcement is working on education and intervention. "Education is like community awareness," he said.
He described intervention as law enforcement dealing with crimes that have been committed, while prevention was the goal.
Reid said prevention would involve activities that occupy children after they leave school.
"Basically we don't have anything to do that" right now, he said.
Reid said the task force taught people how to identify the gangs. For example, a gang member might identify themselves as subtly as wearing a blue rubber band on their left wrist, he said.
"We know the (modus operandi) of the gangs," he said. For example, some are involved in armed robberies while others deal drugs, but gangs aren't limited in what crimes they will commit.
He described Anson as lucky, in that it could have more gang activity.
"We don't want something to happen like in Stanly County," he said, referring to the shooting death of 9-year-old Jamoire Hall Oct. 5, 2008 during an event at Cottonville AME Zion Church near Norwood.
Currently the task force has no set meeting time, but typically meets in Room 206 of the Lockhart-Taylor building in Wadesboro. Previously, the task force, which has convened since August 2008, would meet at 1 p.m.
The group met Thursday at 6 p.m.
"We're trying to adjust to something comfortable for people," he said.
The meetings are open to the public. Reid said participation has been declining.
The group seeks assistance from the community, especially in the form of someone with experience writing grants.
For information about future task force meetings, call Jennifer Tarlton at 704-694-8478.
Post a Comment
