The Harrisonburg Police Department and the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office have joined together to form a Gang Investigative unit known as the CHARGE Unit. CHARGE stands for Combined Harrisonburg and Rockingham Gang Enforcement Unit. CHARGE is made up of two officers from the City of Harrisonburg Police Department and two deputies from the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office. A sergeant with the Harrisonburg Police Department acts as the coordinator of this unit. The CHARGE unit was implemented to help prevent and reduce gang activity occurring in and around the City of Harrisonburg and the County of Rockingham and to educate our youth and citizens of these communities on gang awareness issues.
Since 2003, there have been over 100 reported incidents of gang related graffiti throughout the City of Harrisonburg and the County of Rockingham. The graffiti has been linked to the gangs Surenos or SUR 13, Mara Salvatrucha or MS 13, Latin Kings, Bloods, Crips, Gangster Disciples and La Sombra. These gang have also been responsible for and/or related to a number of other criminal incidents over the past two (2) years to include but not limited to; robbery, abduction, assault, malicious wounding, theft, gang participation, gang recruitment of juveniles and drug related charges.
The goals and objectives of the CHARGE Unit:
1. Respond to the proliferation of local gangs and their impact on society and to assist in their exposure and efficient suppression.
2. Track organized criminal activity, which affects numerous member agencies and their communities, with the primary concentration in gang activity.
3. Reduce overall gang activity and membership through the implementation of community awareness programs involving neighborhood associations, faith based associations, community service providers and other law enforcement entities.
4. Foster a better working relationship and networking among other local agencies involved in the prevention and awareness of gang activity.
5. Incorporate the rapid exchange and dissemination of vital information to ensure the safety of the citizens and employees within the City of Harrisonburg and the County of Rockingham.
The Virginia State Code defines a gang as follows;
Criminal street gang" means any ongoing organization, association, or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, (i) which has as one of its primary objectives or activities the commission of one or more criminal activities, (ii) which has an identifiable name or identifying sign or symbol, and (iii) whose members individually or collectively have engaged in the commission of, attempt to commit, conspiracy to commit, or solicitation of two or more predicate criminal acts, at least one of which is an act of violence, provided such acts were not part of a common act or transaction.
Parent Information
It is important for parents and guardians of children and youth to understand and be familiar with some of the warning signs of gang involvement. Please keep in mind, that these indicators are not a guarantee that a child or youth is involved in a gang. These are only indicators that are consistent with known gang members. Parents need to be willing to talk to their children about the seriousness of gang involvement and the things associated with gangs such as hand signs, clothing color, graffiti, and membership. The following is a sample list of some things a parent, guardian or teacher may look for in a child to determine if they may have some type of gang involvement.
1. Admits to gang affiliation
2. Obsessed with one particular color with violent outrages if told to wear a different color
3. Use of hand signs to communicate with friends or using coded alphabets in letters
4. Wearing or placement of bandana’s in rear pants pockets or around limbs of the body which are the same color as their clothing
5. Gang related drawings on their school work, book bag or other school related belongings
6. Decline in grades at school, attendance and a change of friends at school
7. Increases or begins to use drug and/or alcohol
8. Is referred to by friends as only a nickname
Why do youth join gangs?
1. For a sense of belonging
2. To be involved with something that provides the youth with a feeling of structure and discipline
3. For protection from other “bullying youth” or other gang members
4. For the sense of excitement that is sometimes perceived as being associated with a gang.
5. Peer pressure
Who to contact?
If you are concerned about possible gang activity in your community or neighborhood or believe you may have a friend or family member involved in gangs you may contact the CHARGE Unit by Email or by phoning 540-437-2643. All information received by the CHARGE Unit is confidential in nature.
Links
Virginia Gang Investigators Association
Gangs or Us
Know Gangs
Street Gang Dynamics
Florida Department of Corrections Gang Awareness
National Gang Investigators Association
Virginia Attorney General's Office
Harrisonburg/Rockingham Boys and Girls Club
Below are some photos of local graffiti in the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.
