Virginia Law Enforcement Aims to Suppress Gang Activity in Local Jail

Law enforcement in Charlottesville and Albemarle, Virginia, are taking a pro-active approach to curbing gang activity, especially inside the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. According to NBC 29, the jail is a major recruitment center for area gangs.

“A lot of the major gangs did tend to start in prisons. We are not aware of any that started here in this local jail but recruiting does go on in jail,” said Martin Kumer, deputy superintendent of the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.

As NBC 29 reports, of the 420 inmates at the facility, roughly 25 percent are suspected or known gang members. Many local gang members also join national gangs.

“Here you have your local gang Dirty South, G-Square, which is the same, 6NO. But they are also affiliated now with the Bloods: Gangster Killer Bloods, Nine Trey Gangsters or 9-Tek Grenades,” said Corporal Cindy Jo Harris.

According to NBC 29, the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail has enacted a zero-tolerance policy toward gang activity, which has helped to suppress gang-related incidents.

“If we discover that you are continually participating in gang activity while you are here, we will limit your movement to the degree possible,” Kumer said.

Read more: http://www.nbc29.com/story/24897033/law-enforcement-works-to-curb-gang-activity-in-jail Keep Reading