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HOLY TOLEDO! GANG AND CRIME STATS HIGHER THAN NATIONAL AVERAGE
Sierra Times ^ | 10/19/2005 | Jim Kouri

Posted on 10/19/2005 5:41:50 AM PDT by FerdieMurphy

The recent gang riots in Toledo, Ohio has produced a renewed interest in the issue of street gangs and their criminal activities.

Americans were shocked at news broadcasts showing gang members on the streets of Toledo looting, breaking into homes and torching buildings. The news media template for the rioting is that these thugs were anguished and enraged over a group of Neo-Nazis protesting on the streets considered the territory of gang members. But an honest view of news footage of the gang members rioting displayed an atmosphere of celebration and lawlessness rather than anguish. The violence broke out about one-quarter of a mile away along the planned Nazi march route shortly before it was to begin. One group of men pounded on a convenience store, and others overturned vehicles. There was a report of a shooting but police hadn‘t found a victim, according to Mike Navarre, police chief of the Toledo PD. A police officer, who wished to remain anonymous, claims that the city's politicians and officials are in a state of denial whenever citizens or the media ask questions about gangs. Such denial is not peculiar to Toledo.

With a population of over 309,000, Toledo's violent crime rate is 1.72 times the national average and their overall crime rate is 1.70 times the national average. Alarmingly, the city's arson rate is almost 5 times that of national average, according to FBI crime statistics. Many of the 21 murders, 1655 aggravated assaults and 1,354 robberies are gang-related, as are some of the almost 20,000 burglaries and grand larcenies.

The danger of modern gangs is rooted in local, community-level activity. The Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates that at least 30,000 gangs, with 800,000 members, are having an impact on 2,500 communities across the United States.

Increasing law enforcement pressure and the desire to expand their lucrative illegal activities are leading gangs to spread from urban areas into smaller cities, suburban and rural areas. According to gang experts, partnerships with law enforcement, schools, parents, community and faith-based groups, and youth are an important element in addressing and reducing gang crime in the United States.

The National Alliance of Gang Investigators Association conducted the 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment in conjunction with the FBI. The NAGIA surveyed 455 law enforcement agencies nationwide and identified several important trends in gang activity.

Approximately 45 percent of respondents said that gangs use technology, such as cell phones, computers, and the Internet in their criminal activities. Low-cost and accessible items, coupled with ease of use and increased technological savvy, have made it difficult for law enforcement to track and combat the illegal activity of gangs consistently. Gangs are migrating nationwide and as they migrate they bring their culture of violence and fear to each new community. Many reasons could explain the modern migration factor such as expansion of gang territories and families moving because of jobs or incarceration.

New immigrants are susceptible to gang influences and activities because of language barriers, employment difficulties, support, protection, and fear. In Hispanic communities, membership in a gang means support and protection. In Asian communities, however, gangs tend to victimize new immigrants to scare them into silence.

As gang activity expands, traditional boundaries and alliances have been blurred. Modern hybrid gangs are less likely to use traditional symbols, colors, and markings to identify themselves. Hybrid gangs may use the name of one traditional gang, use the colors of another, and align themselves with rivals for financial gain. This haphazard organizational structure hampers law enforcement’s ability to categorize, monitor, and reduce gang activity.

Community denial hinders the ability to address and combat gang activity. Approximately 31 percent of Assessment respondents stated that their communities denied having a gang problem, had no response, or expressed no interest. Some communities do not want to recognize a gang problem because of the stigma associated with it, while other communities are silent from fear.

According to the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC), "street gangs, outlaw motorcycle gangs, and prison gangs are the primary distributors of illegal drugs on the streets of the United States." The FBI concurs. The 2005 Gang Threat Assessment also estimates that 60 percent of gangs were moderately to highly involved in drug distribution at the street level. The FBI also surmises that gangs are aligning themselves with international organized crime syndicates and estimates that 26 percent of gangs are associated with organized crime.

Of that group, 80 percent of the gangs are affiliated with Mexican drug organizations. These associations provide financial benefits for both groups and allow local street gangs to act as drug smugglers and dealers in the United States. The NDIC also found that gangs are increasing their smuggling activities.

There is no one solution for solving the local gang problem. However, communities can take action to address and reduce a gang problem. An important step toward gang eradication is to create a coalition of community stakeholders, including but not limited to law enforcement, local government, parents, schools, youth, businesses, and community- or faith-based groups.

Sources: Toledo, Ohio Police Department, US Department of Justice, National Alliance of Gang Investigators Association, Community Oriented Policing Services, Federal Bureau of Investigation, American Federation of Police & Concerned Citizens, National Association of Chiefs of Police, National Criminal Justice Reference Service


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events; US: Ohio
KEYWORDS: anarchists; commies; gangs; hooligans; nazis; ohio; racepimps; riots; thugs; toledo; urbanbarbarians
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The news media template for the rioting is that these thugs were anguished and enraged over a group of Neo-Nazis protesting on the streets considered the territory of gang members.

But any excuse would suffice.

1 posted on 10/19/2005 5:42:02 AM PDT by FerdieMurphy
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To: FerdieMurphy

So to demonstrate their disgust with a clutch of retarded Neo-Nazis, hundreds of gangbangers burned and looted their own neighborhoods.

I question the long-term validity of this strategy.


2 posted on 10/19/2005 5:54:37 AM PDT by Gefreiter ("Are you drinking 1% because you think you're fat?")
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To: FerdieMurphy
One group of men pounded on a convenience store, and others overturned vehicles.

And THAT, Sarah Brady, is what a high capacity magazine is good for.

3 posted on 10/19/2005 5:55:35 AM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (G-d is not a Republican. But Satan is definitely a Democrat.)
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To: FerdieMurphy

Neo-Nazis show up for 5 minutes, blacks riot, loot and burn own neighborhood for 4 hours. Priceless.


4 posted on 10/19/2005 5:56:28 AM PDT by Ron in Acreage (It's the borders stupid! "ALLEN IN 08")
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To: FerdieMurphy
With a population of over 309,000, Toledo's violent crime rate is 1.72 times the national average and their overall crime rate is 1.70 times the national average. Alarmingly, the city's arson rate is almost 5 times that of national average, according to FBI crime statistics. Many of the 21 murders, 1655 aggravated assaults and 1,354 robberies are gang-related, as are some of the almost 20,000 burglaries and grand larcenies....

But other than that Toledo is just a swell place to live! (/sarcasm)

5 posted on 10/19/2005 6:02:23 AM PDT by yankeedame ("Oh, I can take it but I'd much rather dish it out.")
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To: Ron in Acreage
I remember riots from the 60s and up to today. The only thing I can figure out is that rioting must be genetic.
6 posted on 10/19/2005 6:04:06 AM PDT by mlc9852
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To: yankeedame

I just love the diversity of crime stats. No type of crime is left out or demeaned.


7 posted on 10/19/2005 6:09:37 AM PDT by Ron in Acreage (It's the borders stupid! "ALLEN IN 08")
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To: mlc9852

"The only thing I can figure out is that rioting must be genetic."

The PC police will get you for that! (PC - surpressing the truth for over 20 years.)


8 posted on 10/19/2005 6:10:56 AM PDT by brownsfan (It's not a war on terror... it's a war with islam.)
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To: FerdieMurphy

Pro Drug legalization advocates, such as Soros' Lindesmith studies, propose the theory that decriminalization will reduce and/or eliminate violence (& riots) committed by criminals, gangs and "civil protesters".

Because: "Anguished thugs", gangs and criminals, as well as hystrionic "liberals", need relief from the pressures of law enforcement and moral society.


9 posted on 10/19/2005 6:11:13 AM PDT by purpleland (Vigilance and Valor!)
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To: brownsfan

I thought I was making a scientific observation! LOL


10 posted on 10/19/2005 6:15:02 AM PDT by mlc9852
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To: Gefreiter
Gangs and gangmembers --

Unemployed young males
Broken homes
Low income
Substance abuse
Welfare
Drugs
School drop-outs
Mostly minorities

There's a pattern here.

It's the fault of George Bush, the GOP and Halliburton. That is it! Oops, almost forgot. It's also the fault of whites non-minorities, (sop to the fr pc-ers)) especially males, and big business (sop to Ralph Nader).
< sarcasm >

11 posted on 10/19/2005 6:15:05 AM PDT by starfish923 (It's never right to do wrong. Socrates)
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To: FerdieMurphy
From the Toledo Free Press

At approximately 10 a.m., the assembled protesters began marching down Manhattan Boulevard to Stickney Avenue. The anarchists, most dressed in black, took the west side of Stickney, while the socialists and communists walked down the east side of the street.

Two Toledo Police officers momentarily stopped the 30 members of an anarchist group, who marched with a banner proclaiming ARA (Anti-Racist Action). They explained the rules once again, and reminded the members they would not tolerate anyone breaking the agreement.

snip

Soon, three carloads of Nazis pulled into Wilson Park in full uniform. The crowd, which by now had grown to an estimated 250, became more vocal in its opposition to the group.

White reappeared in full Nazi regalia, joined by Ohio NSM operative Mark Martin. Both began to address the crowd, taunting them with racial epithets.

"Hey! The Toledo Zoo called, and they want their monkeys back," shouted Martin, as the NSM members began making chimpanzee sounds. "Why don't you go cry to your daddy? Oh wait, you're a n*****; you don't know who your daddy is!"

snip

Contrary to published reports, there did not seem to be any racial animosity; I am white, as were the three media people I found myself standing next to. The anger was directed at the police department, who were increasingly seen by the crowd as collaborators with the Nazis.

snip

One of the weirdest occurrences, and one that happened throughout the ordeal, was the bizarre exchange of common courtesy that continued to show itself in unusual places. A young man hurled a chunk of concrete toward the police, and his arm bumped me after he heaved it.

"I'm sorry, man," he said. "You all right?"

Toledo Free Press/Caught in the clash

12 posted on 10/19/2005 6:15:57 AM PDT by DJ MacWoW (If you think you know what's coming next....You don't know Jack.)
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To: FerdieMurphy
A police officer, who wished to remain anonymous, claims that the city's politicians and officials are in a state of denial whenever citizens or the media ask questions about gangs. Such denial is not peculiar to Toledo.

About 20 years ago some people of Newport News started complaining about gangs. Gang graffiti was showing up on walls and overpasses. Gang colors were obvious. Street crime and illegal drug sales were up.
City council denied the existence of gangs. Our illustrious Chief of Police held a news conference and stated he would commission a study that would prove there were no street gangs in Newport News.
The “study" was never released, but he did later state that we have no “real” street gangs – he could find no club house and no roster of members.
13 posted on 10/19/2005 6:19:03 AM PDT by R. Scott (Humanity i love you because when you're hard up you pawn your Intelligence to buy a drink.)
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To: Gefreiter

They didn't burn and loot their own neighborhood. It was a nice neighborhood that they are trying to take over.

Pinz


14 posted on 10/19/2005 6:20:05 AM PDT by pinz-n-needlez
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To: FerdieMurphy
Ahem...

after Saturday's event and the spinned, media version of it... an excuse is no longer needed.

15 posted on 10/19/2005 6:21:01 AM PDT by johnny7 (“What now? Let me tell you what now.”)
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To: DJ MacWoW
White reappeared in full Nazi regalia, joined by Ohio NSM operative Mark Martin. Both began to address the crowd, taunting them with racial epithets.

"Hey! The Toledo Zoo called, and they want their monkeys back," shouted Martin, as the NSM members began making chimpanzee sounds. "Why don't you go cry to your daddy? Oh wait, you're a n*****; you don't know who your daddy is!"

I am not a lawyer, or a LEO, so I would like to know: Why didn't they pitch these neos in the slammer for Incitement to Riot? Can anyone help me out here?

I certainly blame the black leaders of Toledo for not having the cojones to prevent their people from going off and burning stuff, nor does this absolve the common folk of their actions, but statements like these are the match that started the whole tinderbox. Seems to me that's all these statements are designed to do.

16 posted on 10/19/2005 6:30:08 AM PDT by ThinkPlease (Fortune Favors the Bold!)
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To: mlc9852
The only thing I can figure out is that rioting must be genetic.

Cute.


If you want a Google GMail account, FReepmail me.
Also, please see The Backside of American History
You'll love this 187 page .pdf (1.99 MB)

17 posted on 10/19/2005 6:31:50 AM PDT by rdb3 (Have you ever stopped to think, but forgot to start again?)
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To: Gefreiter

"So to demonstrate their disgust with a clutch of retarded Neo-Nazis, hundreds of gangbangers burned and looted their own neighborhoods."

It's the Rodney King excuse.


18 posted on 10/19/2005 6:36:27 AM PDT by dljordan
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To: mlc9852

"I remember riots from the 60s and up to today. The only thing I can figure out is that rioting must be genetic."

I was going to say cultural. It's like a gang of immature kids that are looking for any justification, no matter how slight, to mis-behave. Then it's "look what you made us do!".


19 posted on 10/19/2005 6:39:35 AM PDT by dljordan
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To: FerdieMurphy
The news media template for the rioting is that these thugs were anguished and enraged over a group of Neo-Nazis protesting on the streets considered the territory of gang members.

Finally, after all these years, hundreds of gangbangers found the 20 white men who had kept the black community in poverty and despair... /sarcasm off...

20 posted on 10/19/2005 6:42:11 AM PDT by GOPJ (The enemy is never tired, never sated, never content with yesterday's brutality. -- President Bush)
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