A wave of violence is casting its shadow across the United States, including Texas and Houston. Just this week, we saw on the news multiple robberies and shootings…
Gang activity is escalating, and with it violence is on the increase.
Criminal gangs are rated by law enforcement into tiers based on their level of violence. Tier 1 being the most violent. In the most recent release of the Texas Gang Threat Assessment, five gangs are listed as Tier 1 (up from four gangs in the previous year); and MS-13 is the most violent and fastest rising on that list.
It is estimated that there are around 800 MS-13 gang members in Houston; and police consider them a Top-Level threat.
Veteran Law Enforcement Officers are bothered by the viciousness of the violence. Instances of 16 year olds mutilating and beheading 13 year olds with a machete is terrifying.
With violence as the gang member’s trade mark; and an increase in gang membership it’s natural for violence to increase.
In 2015, a 14 year old was hacked to death with a machete by another 14 year old and a 16 year old, gang members, for wanting to leave the gang lifestyle.
Gang recruitment is increasing, recruits are crossing our borders coming from around the world as well as being recruited from the community – some recruits are as young as 10-11 years old. In some instances, we now have two and three generations of gang members that know no other life than the criminal life associated with the brotherhood of their gang.
The FBI recently released its “Crime in America” report noting an increase in violent crime in 2015, up from two previous years of declines. There is an escalation of violence in gang controlled neighborhoods. Can this trend continue? We believe it can, and will as a new generation and new arrivals have no concept of a respect for themselves, others or the law?
This wave is expanding, it is darkening. Should we be concerned? Yes; but, gangs have been around for decades, and the majority of their associated violence has mostly remained within their neighborhoods. Stay away from their territory, and you’ll most likely remain clear of their reach.
However, as gang membership rises, their associated territory is expanding; and as burglary is a primary activity, gang members are stepping outside their neighborhoods to transact their criminal activities more frequently. As such, we must remain vigilant; by paying attention to our surrounding environment.
Watch for suspicious activity while out shopping, pay attention to the person in the parking garage that does not seem to fit in, let authorities know if a strange vehicle is parked in front of the neighbor’s house. Learn protective and defensive techniques. And if inclined; buy a firearm, learn how to use it, train and practice.
Crime will never go away, informative understanding and awareness should keep it at a distance.
Stay Aware, Stay Safe,
