NCJ Number
139450
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 59 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1992) Pages: 96-98,101-102,104
Date Published
1992
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The Chicago Police Department's Gang Crime Section, established in 1980, has three geographically dispersed units staffed by gang crime specialists who hold police detective-level positions and specialize in the identification of street gang members and operations.
Abstract
The Gang Crime Section directs its attention to enforcement, investigation, and intelligence operations. Field personnel deployed on each watch include both tactical police officers and gang crime specialists. The Chicago Police Department has teamed up with the Gang Special Prosecution Unit of the Cook County State Attorney's Office to prosecute multiple offenders and conspiracy cases. In addition, the Gang Crime Section has been expanded to form a new unit, the Concentrated Community Gang Enforcement Program, commonly referred to as the "Flying Squad." Uniformed tactical police officers on this squad operate in unmarked police vehicles from 5:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Two geographically limited areas of about five square blocks are targeted each night for police saturation deployment, thus enhancing the perception by gang members of an omnipresent police force. The Chicago Police Department believes that law enforcement alone is not the answer to the gang problem. To lessen the attractiveness of gang membership, youth must be provided with opportunities for sports and recreation, job training and placement, counseling, and help with school work. Characteristics and organizational levels of gang involvement are discussed.