Contact: Sgt. Mike Richey
Phone:  (336) 373-2653

Greensboro Police to Host Drug and Gang Awareness Forum
Parents and Caregivers Encouraged to Attend

GREENSBORO, NC (August 16, 2007) – The Greensboro Police Department (GPD) will host a Drug and Gang Awareness Educational Forum on Tuesday, August 28 from 6:30 to 8 pm in Webb Hall, 1601 E. Market St. (corner of East Market Street and North Benbow Street) on the NC A&T State University campus. Parents, grandparents and caregivers of children and teenagers are encouraged to attend this free workshop to learn how to identify the warning signs of drug and gang involvement and how to determine the best course of action to combat these problems. 

Educating the public about gangs is one of several steps the GPD is taking to address this growing concern. The GPD has also partnered with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department and the High Point Police Department to share information about gang activity throughout the region. In addition, the GPD Criminal Intelligence Squad works with ATF agents and the US Attorney’s Office to target violent gangs and gang members for prosecution.

More than 12 nationally organized gangs are currently represented in Greensboro. These include Bloods, Crips, Latin Kings, Vice Lords, Folks, Sur-13, and MS-13.

Greensboro Gang Statistics (Source: Greensboro Police Department)

• There are 236 validated gang members in Greensboro. This represents a 46 percent increase within the past year.
• Gang demographics: 56.7 percent African-American, 22.5 percent Asian, 21.6 percent Caucasian; Hispanics also make up a small percentage of these groups.
• During 2006, approximately one-third of the city’s 28 homicides had ties to gang activity or gang members. 
• An estimated 25-40 percent of robberies committed in Greensboro are committed by known gang members or their associates.
• Tagging, or marking a territory through graffiti, has increased tremendously during the last few months indicating an increase in rival gang activity.

For more information about gangs in Greensboro or about the educational forum, contact Sgt. Mike Richey at 373-2653.

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