Now, it's pretty run of the mill. Bloods, are getting worse. We have several new gangs emerging, mostly Somali and Haitian gangs. All of which are notoriously violent, destructive, and extremely s**t-pants-inducing, scary and violent.
However, we read through these parts which include "In November 2010, 29 suspected Somalian gang members were indicted for a prostitution trafficking operation, according to open source reporting. Over a 10 year period, Somalian gang members transported underage females from Minnesota to Ohio and Tennessee for prostitution."
And then we come across something new, something, horrible sounding, something ungodly terrifying in the form of the new moniker of 'hybrid-gangs'
The FBI defines hybrid gangs as:
Quote:
The expansion of hybrid gangs—non-traditional gangs with multiple affiliations—is a continued phenomenon in many jurisdictions nationwide. Because of their multiple affiliations, ethnicities, migratory nature, and nebulous structure, hybrid gangs are difficult to track, identify, and target as they are transient and continuously evolving. Furthermore, these multi-ethnic, mixed-gender gangs pose a unique challenge to law enforcement because they are adopting national symbols and gang members often crossover from gang to gang. Hybrid gangs are of particular concern to law enforcement because members often escalate their criminal activity in order to gain attention and respect.
Hybrid gangs, which are present in at least 25 states, are fluid in size and structure, yet tend to adopt similar characteristics of larger urban gangs, including their own identifiers, rules, and recruiting methods.11 Like most street gangs, hybrid gang members commit a multitude of street and violent crime.12 Law enforcement reporting suggests that hybrid gangs have evolved from neighborhood crews that formed to expand drug trafficking, or from an absence of or loyalty to nationally recognized gangs in their region.
Hybrid gangs, which are present in at least 25 states, are fluid in size and structure, yet tend to adopt similar characteristics of larger urban gangs, including their own identifiers, rules, and recruiting methods.11 Like most street gangs, hybrid gang members commit a multitude of street and violent crime.12 Law enforcement reporting suggests that hybrid gangs have evolved from neighborhood crews that formed to expand drug trafficking, or from an absence of or loyalty to nationally recognized gangs in their region.
Holy s**t, that sounds scary. A gang that isn't a gang that moves from gang to gang, impossible to identify and pin down?
Actually, that sounds alot like small time criminals, and not gangs at all... actually.
But, the poster child for these horrible, deadly, and impossible to define "Hybrid Gangs" are....
JUGGALOS
Now, I understand there's alot of hate out there for Juggalos, it's alot like hating emos. Most people hate us for some obscure principle, or because they get a kick out of making fun of something. I get it, I really do. I sometimes bash subcultures myself. (I'm looking at you, hipsters)
However, the FBI defines Juggalos as:
Quote:
"a loosely-organized hybrid gang, are rapidly expanding into many US communities. Although recognized as a gang in only four states, many Juggalos subsets exhibit gang-like behavior and engage in criminal activity and violence. Law enforcement officials in at least 21 states have identified criminal Juggalo sub-sets, according to NGIC reporting"
Wow, that sounds scary! And whats more:
Quote:
NGIC reporting indicates that Juggalo gangs are expanding in New Mexico primarily because they are attracted to the tribal and cultural traditions of the Native Americans residing nearby.
Oh s**t, us Juggalos are expanding into New Mexico... because, we like Native American culture?
We must be some scary mofo's, afterall. I get this vision of us wielding Tomahawks and scalping people, wearing clown inspired facepaint and being a general nuisance and destructive force.
I'm a Juggalo and I find everything up to this point a little scary.
And then... We get down to why the FBI classified them as a gang...
Quote:
assault, personal drug use and possession, petty theft, and vandalism. However, open source reporting suggests that a small number of Juggalos are forming more organized subsets and engaging in more gang-like criminal activity, such as felony assaults, thefts, robberies, and drug sales. Social networking websites are a popular conveyance for Juggalo sub-culture to communicate and expand.
...WAIT A ******** MINUTE. You branded an entire sub-culture a gang, because... 'Small numbers of Juggalos' are using drugs, engaging in vandalism,and petty theft?
I could go through and replace the word Juggalo with "Maggot" , "Metal Head" and it'd still hold true.
But WAIT it get's better!
Quote:
Juggalos’ disorganization and lack of structure within their groups, coupled with their transient nature, makes it difficult to classify them and identify their members and migration patterns. Many criminal Juggalo sub-sets are comprised of transient or homeless individuals, according to law enforcement reporting. Most Juggalo criminal groups are not motivated to migrate based upon traditional needs of a gang. However, law enforcement reporting suggests that Juggalo criminal activity has increased over the past several years and has expanded to several other states. Transient, criminal Juggalo groups pose a threat to communities due to the potential for violence, drug use/sales, and their general destructive and violent nature.
So, what the FBI is saying, is that 'Juggalos are a gang, because..... a small insignificant minority may possibly under specific circumstances (Read: Previously violent/Homeless) commit certain crimes, that range from... Petty theft, to doing drugs (With the occasional assault tossed in)
And to prove their point, they use two things:
In January 2011, a suspected Juggalo member shot and wounded a couple in King County, Washington, according to open source reporting
In January 2010, two suspected Juggalo associates were charged with beating and robbing an elderly homeless man.
Yep, 3 instances.... And... One picture.
Yep, They're using a picture of a girl, with facepaint, a badly Photoshopped background and gun as proof.
Now, I've heard of some pretty wasteful uses of tax payer money, but c'mon... saying Juggalo's are like a street gang is like saying the Emo's have their own mafia.
Do us Juggalo's have a subculture, that seemingly glorifies violence? Yes.
However, the FBI forgot to note things like: Juggalos against Drunk Driving
Juggalos against Child Abuse
Juggalos against Animal Abuse
Juggalos against Homophobia
And even, Juggalos against Gang Violence
Now, is this a blatant waste of money, and law enforcement resources?
