Safe Streets Task Force to Combat Gang Activity in NC Triad

New Safe Streets Task Force will combat the growing problem of Street gangs threatening the safety and well being of Alamance, Guilford and Rockingham counties' neighborhoods and communities.

April 30, 2008

TRIAD COUNTY NC NEWS -- A Safe Streets Task Force has been formed in the Triad area of North Carolina by US Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, FBI Charlotte Division, and other partnering law enforcement agencies. The new Safe Streets Task Force will aggressively combat the growing problem of Street gangs threatening the safety and well being of Alamance, Guilford and Rockingham counties' neighborhoods and communities.

Safe Streets Task Forces are best described as joint task forces combining federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to share vital information and investigate, prosecute and dismantle violent street gangs. While official recognition of the Safe Streets Task Force enables the FBI to supply equipment and vehicles and to reimburse overtime expenses for full-time task force members.

US Attorney Anna Mills Wagoner for the Middle District of North Carolina announcing the task force formation said:

"For far too many of our citizens, the threat of gang violence and gang activity is a painful part of everyday life. The creation of this multi-agency task force reflects the commitment of law enforcement at every level--federal, state and local--to use every available tool to investigate, prosecute, and dismantle violent street gangs in the Middle District of North Carolina."

"Gangs do not recognize or operate within law enforcement jurisdictional boundaries–so it is extremely important that all law enforcement agencies cooperate, communicate and collaborate if we are to be successful in combating gang activity. The Safe Streets Task Force insures that we will do just that"

The following law enforcement agencies are partnering with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office to form the Safe Streets Task Force:

• U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
• U.S. Secret Service Diplomatic Security Service
• U.S. Marshals Service
• North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
• North Carolina Department of Corrections
• Greensboro Police Department
• High Point Police Department
• Alamance County Sheriff's Office
• Guilford County Sheriff's Office
• Rockingham County Sheriff's Office
• Gibsonville Police Department
• Lexington Police Department

Special Agent in Charge, Nathan Gray, of the FBI Charlotte Division stated:

"Our job as FBI agents is to track down threats to our safety. We cannot do that alone which is why we have partnered with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to form the Safe Streets Task Force. Communities will appreciate the benefit of this task force when they see gang members arrested, prosecuted and sent to prison."

In closing, there are more than 130 task forces nationwide, and are administered under the Safe Streets Violent Crime Initiative, which was started in 1992. North Carolinian citizens living in the Triad area should welcome the Safe Streets Task Force as a favorable addition to their local community crime prevention initiative.

Published by:
Rob Cross
mailto:editor@357news.com

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