FBI Briefs Sterling, Virginia Residents on Gang-Related Crime
The FBI briefed concerned citizens in Sterling about gang-related crime in Northern Virginia.
Jessica Forres attended the community meeting…
LISTEN TO THE STORY THAT AIRED ON WAMU 885 FM
[nat: how are we all doing this evening?
-good]
Andrew Castor, an FBI special agent, addresses more than 50 community members sitting inside the gym of the Sterling Community Center.
[NAT: KIND OF BREAK IT DOWN WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE DO IT AND HOW WE ARE ATTACKING THE GANG ISSUE]
He says the FBI and the Northern Virginia Gang Task Force have identified various gangs, not just MS-13, operating in Northern Virginia.
WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THE ENTERPRISE INVESTIGATION SOLUTION UTILIZING THE RICO STATURE KIND OF LIKE WHEN WE TOOK DOWN THE GAMBINOS, COLOMBO FAMILY OF NEW YORK AND WE'RE GOING TO TARGET VARIOUS GROUPS THE FBI HAS IDENTIFIED, PREVENT, DISRUPT AND DISMANTLE THOSE GROUPS AND PUT THE PEOPLE IN PRISON.
The recent uptick in crime in Sterling prompted Eugene Delgaudio, a Loudoun County Supervisor, to have the FBI address the community.
WITHOUT ALL OF THIS VIGILANCE AND OUTREACH, WE'RE NOT GOING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.
Loudoun County's Gang response team says Northern Virginia has the second largest population of the most violent latino gangs in the nation.
Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News
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The FBI is asking residents to be vigilante about gang-related activity in Northern Virginia.
Jessica Forres reports…
LISTEN TO THE STORY THAT AIRED ON WAMU 885 FM
The recent wave of crime in Sterling and other parts of Northern Virginia has some residents such as Kathleen Gannon on edge.
I HAD A PROWLER TRY TO GET INTO MY HOUSE ON SEPTEMBER 3RD, FORTUNATETLY I HAVE A 16 POUND BLACK LAB THAT WOKE ME UP AT THREE IN THE MORNING AND I HAVE AN ALARM ON MY HOUSE AND I SET OFF THE ALARM.
Gannon along with more than fifty community members gathered at Sterling Community Center to hear Andrew Castor, a special agent with the FBI, talk about gang-related crime in the area.
WHAT ARE THE GANGS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, WELL ONE OF THE BIG PARTICULAR GANGS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA IS MS-13.
Castor says MS-13 is one of many gangs his agency and the Northern Virginia Task Force have identified operating in the area. He explains that each gang is different in the way they function.
MS-13 IN GENERAL I WOULD SAY 95 PERCENT OF THEM HAVE REGULAR DAY JOBS. THE TYPICAL GANGS PREDOMINANTLY DO NOT HAVE JOBS AND DEAL PRIMARILY IN THE DRUG TRADE.
YOU HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND YOU AND YOU NEED TO REALLY LET TAGGINGS, SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY, YOU NEED TO LET THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND YOU.
The Loudoun County Gang Response Teams says some signs of gang activity are common dress, colors or tattoos within a group and graffiti.
Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News
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