Gang Awareness And Intervention Officer

In 1993, Lindsay's Gang Awareness Officer was assigned to identify and track Lindsay's gangs, their members, and their monikers.

Within the first year, five of Lindsay's gangs were identified. Their membership included over 200 members. These members were identified and either entered into the TCSO G.R.E.A.T. computer system for tracking or they were listed in local files as associates or affiliates.

The Gang Awareness Officer works closely with several other agencies to identify, track and monitor gang activity within the City. These include the GRIP coordinator, TCSO, Probation, the schools, TCSO's Gang Violence Suppression Unit, and the Courts.

The GRIP Coordinator is an on campus counselor who identifies actual gang members and potential members then counsels them in an attempt to divert them from gang membership and activity. The GRIP Coordinator makes his information known to the Gang Awareness Officer who in turn relays the information to the TCSO Gang Unit for follow up and tracking.

TCSO Probation assists with making the terms of probation known to the Gang Awareness Officer. Gang members on probation are held accountable for their actions through the terms of their probation. Violators are referred back to probation through either the Thunderbolt Officer or through the courts. Knowledge of a probationer or parolee who is also a gang member is a valuable tool in dealing with gang related crimes.

The schools are cooperative and non-tolerant of gang activity. The schools provide valuable information on individuals and groups who are suspected of gang involvement and activity. Schools are a wealth of information as monikers and other writings can be located at the schools in numerous places in and around the campuses. Teachers and school officials are also in constant contact with students and are able to observe gang identifiers in a casual non-threatening manner.

The TCSO Gang Violence Suppression Unit is a valuable asset as the Unit provides information on any previous gang involvement of individuals through the G.R.E.A.T. computer tracking system. The computer provides information to officers in the field which is a great resource to officers handling gang related crimes throughout the county. The Gang Task Force is also available for gang sweeps and intervention techniques. A monthly flier is distributed to all law enforcement agencies throughout the County which provides current information on gang membership, activity, and officer safety issues.

For more information, contact LPD at (559) 562-2511.