Police: Gang members getting younger, more violent
SEATTLE - A new elite team of crime fighters taking on Seattle's gang wars say they're finding younger kids getting involved in gang violence.
At least 60 street gangs are active in and around Seattle, and tensions get out of control fast. So gang units patrol the city's most challenging neighborhoods.
Police say gang members are getting younger - and their violence greater. Deadly turf wars still break out to control narcotics and prositution, but sometimes an act of disrespect is all it takes to set off a deadly shooting.
Detectives link gangs to 12 murders in 2008. This year, only one killing appears connected. But gun battles keep adding up, and the gang team grew in response.
Two sergeants command 10 detectives during night patrols, and now a sergeant and five detectives run a new daytime squad.
Millions of dollars are also being pumped into prevention, and community outreach workers will soon join police at violent crime scenes.
"Alongside the police, who will be responding in a law enforcement capacity, this team will be responding to the victims, to the family and friends of the victims," says Mariko Lockhart with the Youth Violence Prevention Initiative.
Emphasis officers are also in Seattle's toughest middle schools, and additional overtime is already approved once class lets out this summer so officers can focus on the hotspots and continue building relationships.
Detectives say they have good information on the leadership and muscle running the different gangs - it's just a matter of having the proof to put them behind bars.
At least 60 street gangs are active in and around Seattle, and tensions get out of control fast. So gang units patrol the city's most challenging neighborhoods.
Police say gang members are getting younger - and their violence greater. Deadly turf wars still break out to control narcotics and prositution, but sometimes an act of disrespect is all it takes to set off a deadly shooting.
Detectives link gangs to 12 murders in 2008. This year, only one killing appears connected. But gun battles keep adding up, and the gang team grew in response.
Two sergeants command 10 detectives during night patrols, and now a sergeant and five detectives run a new daytime squad.
Millions of dollars are also being pumped into prevention, and community outreach workers will soon join police at violent crime scenes.
"Alongside the police, who will be responding in a law enforcement capacity, this team will be responding to the victims, to the family and friends of the victims," says Mariko Lockhart with the Youth Violence Prevention Initiative.
Emphasis officers are also in Seattle's toughest middle schools, and additional overtime is already approved once class lets out this summer so officers can focus on the hotspots and continue building relationships.
Detectives say they have good information on the leadership and muscle running the different gangs - it's just a matter of having the proof to put them behind bars.