United response to gangs sought

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COLUMBIA, Md. -- Federal, state and local officials who participated in the Maryland Gang Summit yesterday agreed that cooperation is key for fighting the increasing number of criminal gangs in the state.

Gaithersburg Police Detective Patrick Word said yesterday that there are currently about 10,000 gang members in Maryland. The gangs that exist in Maryland include the Bloods/United Blood Nation, Black Guerilla Family, Mara Salvatrucha or MS-13, Tiny Rascal Gangsters, Street Thug Criminals, Hells Angels, Vatos Loco, Pagans and South Side Locos, he said.

"We knew the gang problem was in every single county of Maryland," U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski told participants.

"They're violent. They're predatory. ... A rise in massive, almost ghoulish behavior of gangs," said Miss Mikulski, Maryland Democrat who secured $2 million in federal funds for the creation of a statewide anti-gang initiative. "That's what today is all about. This is the beginning conversation. We have to protect our people."

More than 300 people attended the day-long summit at the Sheraton Hotel. Participants included Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr., Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele, sheriffs, federal and state prosecutors, police, mayors, community officials and non-profit organizations.

Mr. Ehrlich, a Republican, announced the creation of a gang coordination committee that will establish a statewide database of gang activity.

While gang violence is a growing problem, there is a window of opportunity to act before it becomes a major problem, Mr. Ehrlich said, outlining four major goals for dealing with the problem.

He said he wanted to avoid turf battles between law-enforcement agencies, identify active gangs in the state, ensure enforcement tools are available and provide early intervention to disrupt recruiting of young members.

"The first goal is no turf battles [among law-enforcement units and communities]," Mr. Ehrlich said. "In some cases, the lack of team effort results in failed goals."

Mr. Ehrlich said that Maryland State Police has a lead role in fighting gang membership increases. There are 400 officers trained to deal with gangs and 400 more are being trained. About $4.6 million are allotted to juvenile services to deter youths from joining gangs, $500,000 in other grants, and $500,000 to the Safe Neighborhood Program.