Drug Gangs Now in Suburbs: Kirk Announces New Federal Help to Keep Gangs Out of School

ATF, FBI and Former Latin Disciple Gang Member
Warn 7th Graders About Dangers of Gang Life

Kirk Presents $100,000 Federal Grant to
Waukegan Police During School Assembly

Kirk joined federal law enforcement officials from the FBI and ATF Tuesday at Miguel Juarez Middle School to brief 10th District police chiefs, mayors, pastors and teachers on major drug gangs operating in our communities.  Congressman Kirk arranged the special briefing to discuss new federal programs to keep gangs out of local schools.  Participants learned about the latest tattoos, colors and symbols of gangs like the Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings and the Vice Lords to help parents, teachers, pastors and suburban police recognize warning signs.

“There are more than 2,000 documented gang members operating north of Lake-Cook Road. Chicago suburbs like Wheeling, Palatine and Aurora are threatened by new gang activity,” said Congressman Kirk. “Federal funding to arrest gang members should be given to suburban police departments who are fighting to keep gangs out of our communities.”

Kirk highlighted the work of the ATF, who identified the Black Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings, Maniac Latin Disciples and Vice Lords as the top drug gangs now in the northern suburbs. AFT is operating a new E-trace system tracking guns, with over 50 listings now centered on South Waukegan and North Chicago.

 Two weeks ago, the ATF joined with Waukegan's NET team to arrest the leader of a Gangster Disciple operation called "Larry's Original Crew" or "LOCs." Two people have been accidentally killed during attempts on this gang leader's life. Now in Lake County's jail, this gang leader has already been convicted of Mob Action, Grand Larceny, Unlawful Weapons, Narcotic and Battery felonies.

Federal officials estimate there are over 18,000 members of the Black Gangster Disciples in Illinois. They are known in Lake County for their pitchfork emblem and six-point star. The Latin Kings have over 15,000 members currently serving time in Illinois state and county jails. The Maniac Latin Disciples use a backwards swastika for their sign - taken from their Humbolt Park founder whose street name was "Hitler." One prominent Vice Lord branch in Lake County is called the "Four Corner Hustlers." Much of the current violence in Waukegan and North Chicago stems from a feud between the Four Corner Hustlers and the LOCs.

Young adults increased demand for heroin and cocaine brought drug gangs to the suburbs.  Nearly all of these gangs are backed by international drug cartels looking to increase their sales of narcotics. According to a 2004 Roosevelt University study, heroin use in suburban Cook County doubled over the past decade and quadrupled in the collar counties. Chicago police reported that over thirty percent of people arrested in a heroin sting operation in 2004 were from the suburbs, many of them teenagers.

The Chicago Police Department’s anti-gang enforcement efforts successfully reduced drug gang activity in the city, prompting gang leaders to move against suburban police departments who do not have the manpower, or the experience in combating heavily armed and financed gangs. The LOCs, GDs and Latin Kings -- backed by international narcotic cartels, threaten to overwhelm suburban police departments.

“Thirteen-years-old is the average age of a suburban gang drive-by shooter today. It is critical our kids know that selling guns and drugs on neighborhood streets will end their short lives,” said Kirk.  “While the federal government is increasing funding for anti-gang law enforcement programs, parents, teachers, and pastors need to watch for signs their children are under the influence of gangs. I am also concerned that clothing companies – like the one at http://www.jnco.com/v2/ -- may be marketing their products for gang members to increase profits. Evidence suggests this is happening, and I plan to investigate.”

To emphasize that cars, clothes and money from gang life comes at a very high cost, Congressman Kirk invited Marcial Rodriguez (a former Latin Disciple gang member), Lawrence Hall (former security chief for the Gangster Disciples), and Herb Drake (National Director of the Gang Resistance Education And Training (GREAT) program), to speak to seventh grade students during a school assembly following the briefing.

Middle school children are the most vulnerable to gang recruiting. Rodriguez joined the Latin Disciples when he was 15 after his best friend promised the gang would protect him. Rodriguez sold cocaine for four years until his best friend was murdered. He credits a police officer for helping him leave the gang.  Lawrence Hall was shot and then stabbed before turning away from gang life.

Following the school assembly, Kirk delivered on a promise he made to the Waukegan Police Department last year. The Congressman presented Waukegan Police Chief Bill Biang with a $100,000 grant to bolster Waukegan’s Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) and its work against 10 gangs operating in the northern suburbs. Kirk secured the funds as a member of the House Appropriations’ Justice subcommittee.

“Waukegan’s NET team and their anti-gang programs are keeping children safer and out of gangs. I am proud to fight on their behalf for funds to protect our kids and keep our communities safe,” Kirk said.

Congressman Kirk’s briefing also featured presentations by Andy Traver (ATF Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office), Robert Grant (FBI Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office), Mark Rasmussen (Director of the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group), Bill Biang (Waukegan Chief of Police), and Sgt. Joseph Kreppein (Waukegan Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET)).

  Congressman Kirk briefed 10^th District mayors, police chiefs, teachers and pastors about drug gangs moving to our suburbs

 Kirk listens to former Gangster Disciple, Lawrence Hall, tell about his trials and tribulations of being involved in gang life. Hall spoke to seventh graders at Miguel Juarez Middle School in Waukegan