More Than 100 Known Gangs Are Active In Queens
BY RICHARD GENTILVISO

Photo Dan Miller/DMD Images Elected officials, including state Senator John Sabini (back row, c.) and City Councilmembers Hiram Monserrate (back row, second from r.) and Helen Sears (second row, third from r.), civic leaders, family members and friends and members of the Guardian Angels surround a portrait of 11-year-old Genesis Regalado, killed in a gang-related drive-by shooting July 17, 2006. The corner of 55th Avenue and 99th Street was renamed "Genesis Regalado Way" in her memory last Tuesday, July 10.

It has been a year since Genesis Regalado was gunned down in a drive-by shooting outside her home on 99th Street in Corona, playing at an open hydrant on a hot July 17 night. Her tragic death at age 11, the result of local gang rivalries, sparked demonstrations against violence and increased gang awareness in the community.

The Community Affairs Bureau of the New York City Police Department continued the effort to increase gang awareness at the July 9 combined meeting of the Queens Borough Board and Cabinet.

Police Officer Mildred Roman has studied gangs and gang culture extensively in her 10 and a half years as an NYPD officer. "What is a gang?" said Roman. As defined by the NYPD, a gang is any group of persons, formally or informally structured, that has designated leaders and members and engages in, or is suspected of engaging in, unlawful conduct.

"There are many reasons kids join gangs," Roman said. Topping her list: peer pressure. "To gain acceptance, be with the in-crowd," she said. "They do it for selfesteem."

The second reason young people join gangs is to gain attention. Given a lack of supervision, a young person feeling isolated and having a weak family structure finds gangs are appealing.

The third reason is power. "They get credibility on the street, gain respect and even have financial gains," Roman said.

Finally, youths get protection from the gang. Fear for their own safety in their own neighborhoods leads many young people into gangs. "It's a double-edge sword," said Roman. "They're afraid of gangs and afraid not to be in a gang."

The most common gangs in the city are the Bloods, the Crips and the Latin Kings. There are over 300 gangs in New York City with over 100 different Hispanic gangs in Queens alone," Roman said. In Queens, Mara Salvatrucha 13, or MS 13, is one of the biggest.

She advised parents: "Ask yourself, how do I know if my child is in a gang? How can I tell? What are the signs? What do I do?" Changes in behavior, dress and language, the sudden appearance of body tattoos or markings, the use of hand signals and the acquisition of unexplained money or expensive gadgets are all warning signs, Roman said.

"If you notice any of these things, I would question my child," she said. In addition, Roman advised knowing who your child's friends are and what they are doing. "Encourage positive activities," she said.

NYPD intervention strategies include GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training), the Law Enforcement Explorers Program, the Summer Youth Police Academy, the Police Athletic League, and the city Summer Youth Employment Program.

After several incidents of gang violence in his district, Assemblymember Jose Peralta introduced four bills concerning gangs in May. The legislation calls for 75 percent of proceeds seized in gang raids to be returned to the local school district for after-school funding and would allow school districts to prohibit students from wearing gang colors and wearing gang-affiliated clothing, markings or symbols. It would also require locations used by gangs to be closed and require parents to attend support programs for their children who are in school.

For more information, contact your local police precinct's Community Affairs or Youth Officer.