Kings County Gang Task Force

The Kings County Gang Task Force was established in November of 1993 by local law enforcement to address serious, and violent crimes being committed by local street gangs. The Gang Task Force (G.T.F.) is a multi-department agency with investigating officers from the Corcoran Police Department, Kings County Sheriff's Department, Hanford Police Department, Lemoore Police Department, Kings County Probation Department and the Kings County District Attorney's Office. The Gang Task Force is under the direction of Kings County Probation Chief Dorothy VanDenBerg.

The Primary Goal of the G.T.F. is to suppress all gang-related activity and to assist local law enforcement with investigations of gang related crime. The G.T.F. has a strong intervention program, working closely with patrol officers to provide intelligence and street enforcement directed at gang activity. The G.T.F. works with other agencies and community organizations in providing education and information on the dangers and activities of local street gangs.

The G.T.F. has developed a strong prevention program aimed at "At risk" youth. The program consists of providing a three day seminar and field trip to a local State Prison. The program involves the minor and parents, offering crisis intervention, counseling, and education. The acronym for this program is G.A.N.G. which stands for "Going Against Negative Groups". The goal of this program is to prevent "At risk" young people from joining gangs. G.T.F. investigators give approximately twenty-five gang presentations to schools, county agencies, community organizations and public service organizations each year.

SIGNS OF GANG INVOLVEMENT

1. Sudden poor school grades and disinterest in school.

2. Withdrawal from family activities.

3. Use of unknown vocabulary (gangs have many slang words).

4. Sudden change in friends.

5. Evidence of drug abuse.

6. Sudden interest in gangs.

7. Use of gang signs.

8. Desire for excessive privacy.

9. Having a new nickname.

10. Developing a bad attitude towards family, school and authorities.

11. Desire to wear clothing of all one color or style.

12. Wearing altered headwear (gang members often put gang writings on the inside band of ball caps).

13. Changing appearance with special haircuts, markings or tattoo's.

14. Use of gang graffiti on school homework, folders, buildings, walls and furniture.

15. Staying out at night later than usual.

KINGS COUNTY GANG TASK FORCE
TIPS FOR COUNTERING THE LURE OF GANGS

1. Know your child's friends.

2. Occupy your child’s free time with school, sports, or church activities.

3. Plan family outings and activities.

4. Give your child responsibilities or chores at home.

5. Don't allow your child to wear gang colors or paraphernalia.

6. Don't allow him or her to be out late at night. The curfew in Kings County is 10:00 PM.

7. Know where your child is going when he or she is out late at night. Know whom your child is with.

8. Participate in your child’s education. Know what's happening at school.

9. Develop anti-gang attitudes in your home. Let your child know that you will not tolerate gang involvement.

10. Be a role model.

11. Spend time with your child. If you spend time with him or her, he or she will not have to go to a gang to fill that need.

Any questions please feel free to contact the Kings County Gang Task Force at (559) 582-3211, ext. 2991