Law enforcement officials are boasting progress in fighting gangs in Northern Virginia, though this year’s gang-related crime statistics appear to be on track to roughly match last year’s.
The region saw 800 gang crimes through June, 487 of which were vandalism and graffiti, according to figures provided by the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force. Last year, 1,415 gang-related crimes were committed, with 811 graffiti and vandalism incidents.
“As a result of our approach, we have seen what we classify as positive movement in our gang statistics,” said Leesburg Chief of Police Joseph Price, the task force’s co-chairman.
Gang crime did show a noticeable decline from 2004 to 2005, and the region this year has seen no gang-related homicides, Price said.
The task force’s breadth is expanding. What began as a seven-locality force in 2003 has now grown to include more than a dozen counties, towns and cities and a number of state and federal law enforcement agencies. Recently, two more localities — Fauquier County and Warrenton — have been brought within its jurisdiction.
The task force met Monday for a mid-year update at the Fairfax County Government Center, detailing efforts to combat gangs. The problem has received a swell of attention in the region with the emergence of the violent El Salvadorian group MS-13, which has been blamed for a rash of high-profile violence in recent years.
“We have to work on all fronts,” said Prince William County Police Chief Charlie Deane.
The task force invests its federal allocation in equal parts prevention and suppression, according to Price. On top of enforcement efforts, he said they are aiming to stymie gang recruitment efforts and educate communities.
“Through suppression efforts, law enforcement is rounding up the worst of the worst,” U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf said in a statement. “Through prevention, young people are being provided with positive opportunities during those critical after school hours from 3 and 6 p.m. And through the intervention efforts, those that are ready to leave gang life behind them are receiving hope and assistance.”
