Latest news with #Sureños
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
MLSD meeting addresses gang activity, youth safety
May 16—MOSES LAKE — Community leaders, educators, law enforcement officials and parents gathered at the Moses Lake School District on Tuesday for a discussion on youth safety and gang activity. The meeting, which featured a panel of experts from various sectors, aimed to convey important information regarding the challenges and trends in the community while outlining preventive measures and fostering collaboration between families and institutions. Expert panel The meeting kicked off with introductions of key figures, including North Central Educational Service District Threat Assessment Coordinator Hunter McLeod, Regional Safety Officer from ESD 123 Shelby Jensen and Moses Lake Police Department School Resource Officer Ray Lopez. "I'm here to talk about prevention, intervention, and how we can come together to support our community," McLeod said. Each member brought a unique perspective to the table, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing the multifaceted challenges of gang involvement among youth. Panelists highlighted the importance of education and awareness in mitigating the gang influence on youth. Jensen shared her experiences working closely with troubled youth and the realities many students face. "These kids don't just wake up one day and decide to join a gang. They're often looking for connection or protection, and sometimes, that means turning to gangs," Jensen said. Panelists discussed the various educational initiatives being employed within local schools to raise awareness about the dangers of gang involvement. McLeod emphasized the necessity of cohesive support systems. "Our goal is not just to enforce the law; it's also about building relationships with these kids," Lopez said. "It's about blending education with community support," McLeod said. "We need to have parents, schools, and law enforcement working in tandem to address these issues." Lopez elaborated on the importance of building trust and rapport in schools, a theme echoed by multiple panelists throughout the meeting. "We want these kids to see us as resources, not just authority figures," Lopez said. Gangs in Moses Lake The Sureños and Norteños are two prominent street gang factions in Grant County, McLeod said, primarily known for their rivalry and association with respective prison gangs. Sureños members are affiliated with the Mexican Mafia, La Eme. For the Sureños, blue and black, the letter "M," the number 13 and L.A. Dodgers are examples commonly found to represent themselves. Norteños are aligned with the Nuestra Familia. For the Norteños, red, the number 14, Norte, the letter N, the huelga bird and NorCal references are common symbols representing the group. Gang indicators McLeod said gangs are targeting younger and younger people for recruitment efforts. "What used to be a high school concern is now creeping into middle and even elementary schools," she said, highlighting the need for early intervention strategies as soon as fourth grade. Lopez and Jensen agreed. "Many kids are looking for acceptance, and gangs provide that. It's essential that we create inviting, inclusive environments in schools to help offset that," Lopez said. He added that gang signs and symbols need to be understood at all age levels to combat recruitment effectively. Both McLeod and Lopez said another large difference in modern gangs is that they are less willing to identify themselves. Lopez said it used to be easy to tell by the red and blue colors and other flags; however, children are getting more creative and secretive about their gang involvement now. "In my opinion, these guys don't wear the colors. The younger sets, a lot of times, they don't. They kind of hide their colors," Lopez said. He said he still sees a lot of Norteño gang members wearing red but in more inconspicuous ways, such as sports apparel. However, with the Sureños, he has seen a sharp decrease in those gang members wearing the traditional blue and black. McLeod also discussed the importance of social media for gang recruitment and organizing. She said a lot of parents don't realize their child has social media, nonetheless that they are using it for criminal activities. "Parents should know what social media their kiddos have, all of the passwords and they should be checking them frequently," McLeod said. "That's how kids are getting away with stuff. Parents can be sitting in the same room with their child on their phone and the kid could be planning or discussing criminal activities without the parents having a single clue." The panel also touched on the importance of graffiti as an indicator of gang presence. "Graffiti is the newspaper of the streets," McLeod said. "Removing it promptly is necessary to reduce its impact and visibility." Prevention & intervention Throughout the evening, the panel underscored that prevention starts with awareness and education. The members encouraged parents and community members to be vigilant and proactive. "Parents need to know what their kids are wearing and whom they are associating with," Lopez explained. "It's crucial to understand that certain behaviors can lead to gang involvement." The realities of parenting can complicate this vigilance, especially in low-income circumstances, where parents may work long hours and struggle to monitor their children's activities. The panel also discussed the importance of mental health resources for children. With youth experiencing not only the societal pressures of gang culture but also the psychological toll of bullying and intimidation, programs targeting these issues are vital. STOPit The Moses Lake School District uses the STOPit program for anonymous reporting for students, staff, parents and community members. The reporting platform can be accessed here: Jensen said it is important for students to report any behaviors that may be concerning to a trusted adult or through STOPit. "Students know things far sooner than adults do," Jensen said. "The kiddos see way more, hear way more and are connected than ever before." Collaboration The sentiment of collaboration echoed throughout the evening as the need for a united front against gang activity was emphasized repeatedly. The community was reminded that addressing these issues requires cooperation among parents, educators, law enforcement, and local organizations. "With so much misinformation and fear in the community, the only way to eliminate these issues is by working together," Jensen said. "We can't afford to ignore the signs; we have to act." Call to action As the evening drew to a close, panelists reiterated the importance of continued discussions and initiatives to address youth gang involvement effectively. They urged community members not only to stay informed but also to remain vigilant and proactive in fostering safe spaces for their children. "It's your job to investigate if your child is involved in activities that raise red flags," Jensen said. "Don't rely solely on trust; verify what's happening in their lives." McLeod and Jensen closed their presentation with "Ten things you can do tonight," which included: —Check your child's phone and social media accounts. —Talk to your child about their day, who they hung out with and where they are going. —Review the school handbook and dress code with your student. —Set up or check parental controls on all devices. —Make sure all firearms in the home are locked and inaccessible. —Plan for a random room check with respect but firmness. —Have a direct conversation about belonging and peer pressure. —Get familiar with local slang, graffiti and emojis related to gangs and violence —Encourage your child to share their location with you. —Remind your child that they can come to you with any concern without judgement. "We are here to support our youth, and through collaboration, we can make a difference," McLeod said. SOURCE: Washington State Legislature State Law RCW 28A.600.455 Gang activity—Suspension or expulsion. (1) A student who is enrolled in a public school or an alternative school may be suspended or expelled if the student is a member of a gang and knowingly engages in gang activity on school grounds. (2) "Gang" means a group which: (a) Consists of three or more persons; (b) has identifiable leadership; and (c) on an ongoing basis, regularly conspires and acts in concert mainly for criminal purposes. RCW 9.94A.030 "Criminal street gang" means any ongoing organization, association, or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, having a common name or common identifying sign or symbol, having as one of its primary activities the commission of criminal acts, and whose members or associates individually or collectively engage in or have engaged in a pattern of criminal street gang activity. This definition does not apply to employees engaged in concerted activities for their mutual aid and protection, or to the activities of labor and bona fide nonprofit organizations or their members or agents. (13) "Criminal street gang associate or member" means any person who actively participates in any criminal street gang and who intentionally promotes, furthers, or assists in any criminal act by the criminal street gang. (14) "Criminal street gang-related offense" means any felony or misdemeanor offense, whether in this state or elsewhere, that is committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with any criminal street gang, or is committed with the intent to promote, further, or assist in any criminal conduct by the gang, or is committed for one or more of the following reasons: (a) To gain admission, prestige, or promotion within the gang; (b) To increase or maintain the gang's size, membership, prestige, dominance or control in any geographical area; (c) To exact revenge or retribution for the gang or any member of the gang; (d) To obstruct justice, or intimidate or eliminate any witness against the gang or any member of the gang; (e) To directly or indirectly cause any benefit, aggrandizement, gain, profit or other advantage for the gang, its reputation, influence, or membership; or (f) To provide the gang with any advantage in, or any control or dominance over any criminal market sector, including, but not limited to, manufacturing, delivering, or selling any controlled substance (chapter 69.50 RCW); arson (chapter 9A.48 RCW); trafficking in stolen property (chapter 9A.82 RCW); promoting prostitution (chapter 9A.88 RCW); human trafficking (RCW 9A.40.100); promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor (RCW 9.68A.101); or promoting pornography (chapter 9.68 RCW).
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Gang awareness event held in Ephrata
May 12—EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District organized an informational session on youth gang involvement Thursday night, bringing together educators, law enforcement and community members to address youth gang concerns in the region. The presentation, led by North Central Education Services District Assessment Coordinator Hunter McLeod aimed to equip parents and educators with the knowledge needed to recognize and counteract gang influences among students, organizers said. "Recognizing the reality of youth gang involvement in our community is the first step towards addressing it," said Ephrata School District Superintendent Ken Murray. "We must come together as a community to support our youth and mitigate these issues early." The Landscape McLeod noted that nearly 90% of gang members have had police contact by the age of 16, showing that the draw of gang involvement begins very young. That figure underscores the urgency of early intervention and community awareness. McLeod's presentation emphasized that while Ephrata may not be as severely impacted as other towns in the area, the presence of gangs is still real and significant. McLeod highlighted a definition provided by the Revised Code of Washington, stating that a gang is "a group which consists of three or more persons with identifiable leadership who regularly conspire for criminal purposes." The Sureños and Norteños are two prominent street gang factions in Grant County, she said, primarily known for their rivalry and association with respective prison gangs. Sureños members are affiliated with the Mexican Mafia, La Eme. For the Sureños, blue and black, the letter "M", the number 13 and LA Dodgers are examples commonly found to represent themselves. Norteños are aligned with the Nuestra Familia. For the Norteños, the color red, the number 14, Norte, the letter N, the huelga bird, and NorCal references are common symbols representing the group. Watchful Parents The presentation outlined specific behaviors and indicators parents should watch for to keep their children away from gangs. Some warning signs discussed included being mindful of doodling in notebooks, watching for consistent clothing colors, monitoring social media activity, keeping an eye on tech and making sure firearms are secured. McLeod said students often doodle gang-related symbols or numbers, such as 13 or 14, in their notebooks. For instance, a drawing incorporating these numbers could signify gang affiliation or that the student has been approached by or exposed to gangs in some way. Young people may signal gang affiliation through specific colors. Wearing colors associated with particular gangs can make children targets for rival groups. It's important for parents to understand that clothing choices can reflect ties to gang culture. There has also been a trend of using a rosary with colored beads or bead patterns to signify gang affiliation or rank in a gang. While school districts in the area haven't banned the wearing of rosaries, students are asked to wear them discreetly to ensure they aren't used in association with gang activity on school campuses. Gangs use social media extensively for recruiting and organizing, McLeod said. McLeod said some common apps being used to organize include: Instagram, Whatsapp, Cashapp, Snapchat, X, TikTok, YikYak, Discord, Kik, Reddit and Tumblr. She also said another type of app called a vault app can hide photos, documents and other apps parents should watch for. Her advice for parents is to visit the app store on the student's phone and type in "vault app," "hide photos," or "secret app." If any of them have "open" next to them instead of "get," it means the app is installed on the phone. During the presentation, she showed several photos of students who had taken photos with firearms, paraphernalia and gang-affiliated merchandise from their homes. "Many parents remain unaware of the platforms their children are using, and this lack of knowledge can lead to unintended risks," McLeod said. "It's crucial for parents to engage and understand what their kids are doing online." Share location: Consider using apps such as Find my Friends or Life 360 to be able to see the location of the child. McLeod recommends having conversations on where your child is going and what they're doing. "They share their location with me, not because I'm a creep and I want to know where they're at all the time, but when it's 10 o'clock at night and I don't know where they are, I can find them really easily and I don't have to worry," McLeod said. One of the recommendations McLeod made was to do random, unannounced bedroom checks to ensure children aren't sneaking out at night. "That's where we need to be starting and talking and coming together, family has a very big influence in this," McLeod said. "You need to be doing bedroom checks. (You) need to know what our kids are doing." McLeod said the responsibility of securing firearms belongs to the gun owner and children should not be able to access them. Area law enforcement has repeatedly told Columbia Basin Herald staff that firearms being stolen from unsecured vehicles often end up being used in other crimes. Bringing them inside and securing them in a gun safe helps protect them as property and keep them out of the hands of criminals such as those involved in gang activity. McLeod said she monitors her own children's social media activity. She has access to all of their passwords and accounts so she can check them. She said a great deal of gang activity is organized through social media channels, so monitoring those platforms can help keep parents informed. McLeod recommends that parents know who their children are hanging out with. This includes meeting their friends and parents of friends if the child will be at their house. She said she often finds parents know of their friends and their families, but haven't met them. "That's what we're seeing more and more of and not knowing who the people are is a really big problem." McLeod said it's also important for parents to talk to their children and ask questions when what their sons and daughters say just doesn't add up. Parents should approach the conversation by asking questions rather than seeming to attack the child with accusations. A Community Problem One of the key themes of the night was the idea of community involvement in supporting at-risk youth. Law enforcement officials highlighted their collaborative efforts with the school district to monitor gang-related activities and engage directly with problematic behaviors. "We have an active dialogue between the schools and law enforcement," said Ephrata PD Cpt. Troy Froewiss, Captain with the Ephrata Police Department. "When we identify a young person involved in gang activities, we work with school personnel to provide the necessary support to help them disengage from that lifestyle." To ensure a proactive approach, parents were encouraged to participate in community clean-ups and reporting of gang graffiti and activity. McLeod said, "When gang symbols or graffiti are reported in a timely manner, it sends a message that such behavior is not tolerated in our community." Presenters said Ephrata residents must remain vigilant and support one another to create safe environments for the children who live there. Parents are urged to familiarize themselves with signs of gang activity and to communicate openly with their children about the risks associated with gang involvement. "This is just the beginning of our efforts to educate and engage our community about the reality of youth gangs," Murray said. "Together, we can create a supportive framework for our children." As the community moves forward, it is clear that ongoing dialogue, education, and partnership will be crucial in combating the challenges posed by youth gangs in Ephrata. The school district aims to host further discussions and workshops and encourages community members to participate actively in future events. The Ephrata School District has an online, anonymous reporting website where parents, students and community members can report suspicious behavior. "If you were to take anything away from this, it's really making sure that when we see concerning behavior, we say something," McLeod said. The website can be found at The Ephrata Police Department can also take information from the public about potential concerns. To contact EPD, email EPDcontact@ or CrimeTips@
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Gang awareness event held in Ephrata
May 12—EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District organized an informational session on youth gang involvement Thursday night, bringing together educators, law enforcement and community members to address youth gang concerns in the region. The presentation, led by North Central Education Services District Assessment Coordinator Hunter McLeod aimed to equip parents and educators with the knowledge needed to recognize and counteract gang influences among students, organizers said. "Recognizing the reality of youth gang involvement in our community is the first step towards addressing it," said Ephrata School District Superintendent Ken Murray. "We must come together as a community to support our youth and mitigate these issues early." The Landscape McLeod noted that nearly 90% of gang members have had police contact by the age of 16, showing that the draw of gang involvement begins very young. That figure underscores the urgency of early intervention and community awareness. McLeod's presentation emphasized that while Ephrata may not be as severely impacted as other towns in the area, the presence of gangs is still real and significant. McLeod highlighted a definition provided by the Revised Code of Washington, stating that a gang is "a group which consists of three or more persons with identifiable leadership who regularly conspire for criminal purposes." The Sureños and Norteños are two prominent street gang factions in Grant County, she said, primarily known for their rivalry and association with respective prison gangs. Sureños members are affiliated with the Mexican Mafia, La Eme. For the Sureños, blue and black, the letter "M", the number 13 and LA Dodgers are examples commonly found to represent themselves. Norteños are aligned with the Nuestra Familia. For the Norteños, the color red, the number 14, Norte, the letter N, the huelga bird, and NorCal references are common symbols representing the group. Watchful Parents The presentation outlined specific behaviors and indicators parents should watch for to keep their children away from gangs. Some warning signs discussed included being mindful of doodling in notebooks, watching for consistent clothing colors, monitoring social media activity, keeping an eye on tech and making sure firearms are secured. McLeod said students often doodle gang-related symbols or numbers, such as 13 or 14, in their notebooks. For instance, a drawing incorporating these numbers could signify gang affiliation or that the student has been approached by or exposed to gangs in some way. Young people may signal gang affiliation through specific colors. Wearing colors associated with particular gangs can make children targets for rival groups. It's important for parents to understand that clothing choices can reflect ties to gang culture. There has also been a trend of using a rosary with colored beads or bead patterns to signify gang affiliation or rank in a gang. While school districts in the area haven't banned the wearing of rosaries, students are asked to wear them discreetly to ensure they aren't used in association with gang activity on school campuses. Gangs use social media extensively for recruiting and organizing, McLeod said. McLeod said some common apps being used to organize include: Instagram, Whatsapp, Cashapp, Snapchat, X, TikTok, YikYak, Discord, Kik, Reddit and Tumblr. She also said another type of app called a vault app can hide photos, documents and other apps parents should watch for. Her advice for parents is to visit the app store on the student's phone and type in "vault app," "hide photos," or "secret app." If any of them have "open" next to them instead of "get," it means the app is installed on the phone. During the presentation, she showed several photos of students who had taken photos with firearms, paraphernalia and gang-affiliated merchandise from their homes. "Many parents remain unaware of the platforms their children are using, and this lack of knowledge can lead to unintended risks," McLeod said. "It's crucial for parents to engage and understand what their kids are doing online." Share location: Consider using apps such as Find my Friends or Life 360 to be able to see the location of the child. McLeod recommends having conversations on where your child is going and what they're doing. "They share their location with me, not because I'm a creep and I want to know where they're at all the time, but when it's 10 o'clock at night and I don't know where they are, I can find them really easily and I don't have to worry," McLeod said. One of the recommendations McLeod made was to do random, unannounced bedroom checks to ensure children aren't sneaking out at night. "That's where we need to be starting and talking and coming together, family has a very big influence in this," McLeod said. "You need to be doing bedroom checks. (You) need to know what our kids are doing." McLeod said the responsibility of securing firearms belongs to the gun owner and children should not be able to access them. Area law enforcement has repeatedly told Columbia Basin Herald staff that firearms being stolen from unsecured vehicles often end up being used in other crimes. Bringing them inside and securing them in a gun safe helps protect them as property and keep them out of the hands of criminals such as those involved in gang activity. McLeod said she monitors her own children's social media activity. She has access to all of their passwords and accounts so she can check them. She said a great deal of gang activity is organized through social media channels, so monitoring those platforms can help keep parents informed. McLeod recommends that parents know who their children are hanging out with. This includes meeting their friends and parents of friends if the child will be at their house. She said she often finds parents know of their friends and their families, but haven't met them. "That's what we're seeing more and more of and not knowing who the people are is a really big problem." McLeod said it's also important for parents to talk to their children and ask questions when what their sons and daughters say just doesn't add up. Parents should approach the conversation by asking questions rather than seeming to attack the child with accusations. A Community Problem One of the key themes of the night was the idea of community involvement in supporting at-risk youth. Law enforcement officials highlighted their collaborative efforts with the school district to monitor gang-related activities and engage directly with problematic behaviors. "We have an active dialogue between the schools and law enforcement," said Ephrata PD Cpt. Troy Froewiss, Captain with the Ephrata Police Department. "When we identify a young person involved in gang activities, we work with school personnel to provide the necessary support to help them disengage from that lifestyle." To ensure a proactive approach, parents were encouraged to participate in community clean-ups and reporting of gang graffiti and activity. McLeod said, "When gang symbols or graffiti are reported in a timely manner, it sends a message that such behavior is not tolerated in our community." Presenters said Ephrata residents must remain vigilant and support one another to create safe environments for the children who live there. Parents are urged to familiarize themselves with signs of gang activity and to communicate openly with their children about the risks associated with gang involvement. "This is just the beginning of our efforts to educate and engage our community about the reality of youth gangs," Murray said. "Together, we can create a supportive framework for our children." As the community moves forward, it is clear that ongoing dialogue, education, and partnership will be crucial in combating the challenges posed by youth gangs in Ephrata. The school district aims to host further discussions and workshops and encourages community members to participate actively in future events. The Ephrata School District has an online, anonymous reporting website where parents, students and community members can report suspicious behavior. "If you were to take anything away from this, it's really making sure that when we see concerning behavior, we say something," McLeod said. The website can be found at The Ephrata Police Department can also take information from the public about potential concerns. To contact EPD, email EPDcontact@ or CrimeTips@
CBS News
16-04-2025
- CBS News
DEA official: Agents seizing large quantities of methamphetamine in Minnesota more often
A top official with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says agents could take a record amount of methamphetamine off of Minnesota streets this year if the current pace continues. Last year, the DEA seized more than 2,000 pounds of meth in the state, said Acting Special Agent in Charge Rafael Mattei with the agency's Omaha division, which covers Minnesota. That's enough to fill each seat in Target Field in Minneapolis with more than 380 doses of it. "Ten years ago, we would celebrate when we got one pound off of a dealer on the street. That was a big seizure for us. Today, we're seizing triple-digit amounts," Mattei told WCCO in an interview from the Minneapolis field office Wednesday. That data from last year only reflects what the DEA is catching, and does not include other federal, tribal and local law enforcement agencies. Mattei said the DEA is on pace to confiscate the same amount as last year — or more. "In Minnesota, meth is king. We are really swamped with meth right now," he added. On Wednesday morning alone, agents intercepted 30 pounds of it. In recent years, there has been a heightened focus on fentanyl and its deadly dangers for good reason. But meth, Mattei explained, doesn't capture the same attention, despite its prevalence becoming a bigger problem. Congress 20 years ago passed a law limiting over-the-counter sales of products at pharmacies with ingredients that can be used to make meth at home. That led to domestic production dwindling, he said. Now, the main source of supply is coming across the U.S.-Mexico border. "[The cartels] are making more than ever. They are pushing more than ever—they're just pushing that product up. So that's why we're seeing bigger seizures," Mattei said. Just last week, a federal grand jury indicted five men in the state for a drug trafficking conspiracy scheme distributing large amounts of meth and fentanyl, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office . The group was affiliated with the Sureños , a transnational criminal street gang, federal prosecutors said. The case stemmed from a DEA investigation. "The Sureños and other drug cartels are dangerous criminal organizations that are fueling the drug crisis in America," said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick in a news release. "Cartel-backed drug dealers are on notice. Do not bring your poison to Minnesota. If you do, you will see federal charges and federal prison time." The DEA's "National Take Back Day" is scheduled for April 26. That's when the public can turn in any unneeded medications to their local police departments. The goal is to prevent misuse of prescription opioids.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Yahoo
GA inmate sentenced to more years in prison for trafficking kilos of meth
A Georgia Department of Corrections inmate has been sentenced for his involvement in a 2019 trafficking case. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Coweta County District Attorney's Office said Rodolfo Ortiz entered a negotiated plea for his participation with the Sureños criminal street gang and his involvement in a trafficking case. Ortiz was sentenced to a 50-year sentence for 25 years of that sentence to be served in confinement. The DA said, back in 2019, Ortiz texted an undercover officer with Newnan police looking to distribute meth.. At the time, Ortiz was an inmate at the Georgia Department of Corrections. What is referred to as a 'prison broker' deal, Ortiz told the undercover officer that his people would transport illegal drugs to him in exchange for money, officials said. TRENDING STORIES: 3 Atlanta men arrested after police find over 200 fake checks during traffic stop Super Bowl LIX: Chiefs, Eagles players who got their start at GA high schools, colleges 'What I do?:' Armed robbery suspect leads GA deputies on 100 mph chase Ortiz and the undercover officer spoke several times over the phone and planned for the deal to happen at a restaurant in Coweta County. The DA said, one of Ortiz's fellow Sureños drove from Gwinnett County to the restaurant to deliver the meth to the undercover officer. After making contact with the undercover officer, Ortiz's fellow gang member showed three large gallon-sized zip lock bags containing five kilograms of meth, according to the DA. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] That individual along with Mr. Ortiz was later indicted and charged with trafficking methamphetamine and violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. After he was sentenced and back in prison, Ortiz reached out to the undercover officer using a contraband phone expressing his fear of the sentence under the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. He offered to coordinate more drug transactions with the undercover officer in hopes of being sent to a less violent institution, the DA said. That investigation is pending.
