What does a gang member look like? What makes a child more likely to become involved in a gang? What are the root causes of gang membership, and what can be done to reduce interest in such criminal enterprises?
Law enforcement and gang experts will seek to answer some of those questions at a free public forum at Centralia College’s Corbet Theatre Friday from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
The event, titled “Gangs in Your Community,” is being hosted by the Lewis County Literacy Council through a partnership with the Olympia-based Educational Service District 113.
Washington state youth gangs expert Tyson Vogeler and a panel of law enforcement representatives from the Chehalis Police Department, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, and Centralia Police Department will guide the discussion.
“Gangs are nothing new for our country,” said Vogeler, who supervises school safety and security for the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. “We have had gangs since the late 1800s. They come in cycles and come and go. What we’re seeing now is a higher level of violence than we’ve ever scene in youth gangs, in street gangs.”
Vogeler’s presentation will focus on the broader problem, providing insight into both long-established and newly emerging gangs across the country, he said. Local law enforcement officials will discuss the impact of gangs in Lewis County.
After a spate of gang incidents in the summer of 2007, Centralia joined such cities as Yakima and Sunnyside in passing strict ordinances to combat gang activity. Since then, the state Legislature passed its own legislation against gangs.
In the two years that have followed, Centralia Police Chief Bob Berg says the city has gained traction against gang-related criminal activity.
“Directed and aggressive enforcement actions over the past two years have had a significant impact in reducing instances of gang violence in our community,” Berg said. “Having said that, constant community vigilance is required to stem the tide of unlawful activity caused by criminal street gangs.”
Keith Blackwell, who leads the college’s literacy program, said the aim of the forum is to educate community members in hopes that they can help youth predisposed to criminal gang activity.
“If we don’t understand something, we tend to fear it,” Blackwell said.
The literacy council often encounters individuals who have been mandated to attend programs at Centralia College by the Lewis County Drug Court, Blackwell said. Many of those people have exhibited gang connections, but some that fit the stereotypes have no involvement in criminal activity.
Furthermore, he said that the idea that most gang members are from Hispanic backgrounds is increasingly untrue. He said that white supremacists and other extremists can also be classified as gangs, and that their presence is growing.
Vogeler said that suburban white children represent the fastest growing demographic in gang membership.
“It’s we as adults that need to get a handle on this,” Blackwell said. “Ideally, we control the destiny of the community.”
For additional information, call 360-748-4441.
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Eric Schwartz: (360) 807-8245
