JPD to address gangs in school

March 25--For the second time in recent months the Jacksonville Police Department will address the issue of gangs in Onslow County schools.

At a Jan. 12 lecture given to counselors and teachers, an undercover detective told the room that there were no "hardcore" gangs in Jacksonville but there were some local "cliques," as he called them.

A second session, this one open to the public, is scheduled for Tuesday at the Jacksonville High School auditorium from 6 to 8 p.m.

School resource officers have noticed some students giving gang signs at school, according to the police department, and some principals said they have students who claim to be part of a gang, said Onslow County Schools Public Information Officer Suzie Ulbrich.

It's important for parents to understand the allure of gangs, Ulbrich added.

"Parents are the first, best defense against children joining gangs," she said.

And parents can control many of the risk factors that may result in a teen joining a gang, according to the police department, including a lack of parental oversight, unstable living situation, having no positive role model, having needs that aren't being addressed, and having too much unstructured time on their hands.

"The best defense is to address the risk factors for gang activities," said Mike Yaniero, chief of the Jacksonville Police Department.

While Yaniero said Jacksonville hasn't experienced violent gang activities like several neighboring cities -- Wilmington was the one most-mentioned at the January session -- there are some local issues attributed to gangs.

In the last several years, JPD Capt. Ashley Weaver said eastern North Carolina has seen an increase in the sale and use of heroin. Many of the large drug seizures have come from gangs who were either in Jacksonville or had plans to bring the drugs into the city, Weaver said.

The police department declined to answer which specific gangs have been found in Jacksonville, citing officer safety and operational security, but did say in addition to drugs they've seen gang activity associated with larceny, fraud, and robbery.

Teens who join gangs are often doing so in order to feel they belong somewhere, according to the police department, and will commit a crime to impress other members.

"As a young person, the decisions you make now can negatively impact your future," said Julia Parrish, a specialized juvenile detective with JPD.

Future employers and educational opportunities, including the military and colleges, review criminal records, Parrish continued, and early crimes committed as part of a gang could close off potential careers.

Parents play a crucial role in their children's future and need to know who their kids are spending time with, where they're spending time, and monitor their social media, according to detectives with JPD's Special Operations Division, who aren't named for officer safety reasons.

Facebook, for teens, is a thing of the past now, Parrish said.

"Kids are now using a myriad of apps and social media to communicate. Some of these are Snap Chat, Instagram, Twitter, and KiK," Parrish said.

The police department hopes parents and the community will attend Tuesday's session to gain awareness about gangs and learn what resources are available.

Anyone concerned their child may be involved with a gang may call the Department of Public Safety at 910-455-4000 and ask to speak with a juvenile detective or reach out to the school resource officer at their child's school.

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