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Article on local gang situation

Gang Talk

Citizens' police academy ends with drug, gang talk

Published on: 05/26/05
It was the last Riverdale Citizens Police Academy class and, to no one's surprise, I was late again. The class was having a potluck dinner, and I was responsible for sodas, ice and cups.

It took a few minutes to haul those bags up two sets of steps to the training room. The presentation on local gangs by expert Lt. Mark Thompson of the Clayton County Police Special Operations Division had already begun.

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Most readers know the problems caused by gangs around here, and Thompson is well-educated on the subject. Gang members apparently frequent the Southlake Mall and the AMC 24 movie theater.

"I advise people to park at the anchor stores," Thompson said. "Gangs usually hang out in the food court. When I go with my family, we park at Sears. I haven't seen many gangbangers in there looking at washers and dryers."

Signs of criminal activity can be seen Sunday mornings in the parking lot of the movie theater complex in Morrow.

"We're finding shattered glass in the parking lot," he said. "That's the way things currently are. I hate that people have to go to the latest movie showing possible. I also think people would be shocked to know what's going on in the restrooms at the theater."

As a police reporter, I've worked in plenty of towns where gangs didn't exist — at least if you asked the police chief or sheriff. Truth is, they do exist, and it was refreshing to hear Thompson talk openly and expertly about their presence in Clayton County.

"Education and information is power," Thompson said. "And all this information is available on the Internet."

Gangs have their own colors, language, signals, graffiti, tattoos, clothing and other identifying marks that set them apart from the rest of society. Graffiti mars local businesses that gangs have targeted as being on their turf. Black Xs over graffiti means a rival gang also claims the turf, and it can be a sign of violence to come.

Thompson is able to rattle off the names of some of the gangs identified as operating here: Southside Mafia, Hit Squad, Murda Squad, Amp Squad, TLB, East Side Folks, Elizabeth Park Court Zone III, Latin Kings, Sur 13.

He also handed out the newest tip line to report gang activity: 678-610-4747.

Next, Riverdale police detectives Brian Ballard and Brian Freeman, assigned to the Clayton County Drug Enforcement Task Force, talked about drug awareness. Ballard said drug dealers come in all ages, colors and socioeconomic status. He once bought two pounds of methamphetamine from a senior citizen.

"He was sentenced to 48 years in prison," Ballard said, "but told the judge he was 72 and couldn't do 48 years."

Ballard paused for effect.

"The judge told him, 'Well, do the best you can,' " he said.

We all laughed, but drug addiction and sales are a huge problem. Cops have been hitting hard at drugs since before the "Just Say No" days of the Reagan administration in the 1980s.

Like gangs, drugs are everywhere. Ballard and Freeman work undercover, gaining the trust of dealers and buying illegal drugs. It is dangerous work requiring a team effort.

"When you're handling drugs and money, you always have two people," Ballard said. "When you're meeting with an informant, you want to have two people there."

Drug agents use confidential informants who are paid and anonymous. Officers also can petition the court for permission to tap phones.

"Our cases are only as good as the information that we have," Ballard said.

Other methods of investigation include surveillance, search warrants, K-9 units and undercover operations. Several class members were surprised to learn that police can and do tap cellphones. Another got a laugh from the class when he asked how a person gets into the drug-dealing business.

Although I teased Ballard about wanting a side job, he explained that he was curious to know how contacts are made at all because of the level of suspicion involved in such illegal behavior. I agree. I am amazed cops are ever able to make undercover buys.

By the time this column runs, the class will have graduated. For information on the next session, contact Riverdale police training instructor coordinator Courtney Hunt at 770-603-6265.