GETTING DES MOINES GANGS TO SCAT (STRATEGIC COMPLEMENT AGAINST THUGS)

• NCJ Number: 147193
• Journal: Law and Order Dated: (March 1991) Pages: 87-88
• Author(s): J Lingwall
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 2 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

To counter street-level gang activity, the Des Moines Police Department established SCAT (Strategic Complement Against Thugs).

Abstract

SCAT uses nine patrol officers familiar with the gang territories. The officers work from 8 p.m. until 4 a.m. Much of their work is foot patrol. Weekly intelligence meetings with police executives and representatives from other divisions and agencies help target problem areas. In the author's interview with the third watch patrol sergeant, the sergeant said the SCAT team enabled the police to be proactive instead of just reactive. The sergeant advised that although SCAT has not eliminated the gangs, it has made them less menacing to citizens on the streets. The police department has joined forces with the Des Moines Parks Department in a program called "Operation Eraser." Citizens can call a special number to report graffiti, and the Parks Department will remove it without charge. The police department hopes that a new aggressive stance and surveillance by SCAT will mitigate the problem.