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Arlington Police Department
620 West Division Street
P.O. Box 1065
Arlington, TX 76004-1065

Phone: 817-459-5700

 
 

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Gang Unit
 

 
About Us
The Arlington Police Department created the Gang Unit in 1992 as a response to an increase in gang-related crime.

The Gang Unit investigates gang-related crime, provides street level gang enforcement, gathers gang intelligence and performs gang awareness presentations to the community.

The Gang Unit consists of six detectives and one Sergeant. Two additional gang detectives are assigned to Federal Task Forces.
 
Activities
The Gang Unit has identified Asian, African-American, Hispanic, White, Motorcycle and Prison gangs in the city of Arlington.

The Gang Unit has documented gang members involved in several types of criminal activity. These crimes include Homicide, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Assault, Theft and the distribution of Narcotics.

A Criminal Street Gang means three or more persons having a common identifying sign or symbol or an identifiable leadership who continuously or regularly associate in the commission of criminal activities.
 
Gang Awareness
Awareness of gang characteristics is a critical tool for early intervention. If the warning signs are identified early, then the youth can be directed away from gang activity. **While each of these indicators, viewed separately, are not signs of gang involvement, viewed together they may indicate gang involvement.
  • Associating with a new set of friends while ignoring old friends or being vague about the identities and the activities of the new friends.
  • Change of hair style and/or clothing or associating with other youths who have same hair style and/or same clothing.
  • Use of street language, hand signs or unusual nick-names.
  • Unexplained income or possessions.
  • Indications of drug, alcohol or inhalant abuse.
  • Discipline issues at home or in school.
  • Frequent fighting and/or injuries from participating in fights.
  • Graffiti on personal items.
 
Gang Prevention
MEET YOUR CHILDREN'S FRIENDS, make it a point to meet each friend, learn where they live and who their parents are, then meet those parents.

ESTABLISH RULES FOR YOUR CHILDREN, set limits and be consistent in enforcing those rules. Be firm but fair when disciplining, and show your children that you care about them and are concerned for their future.

SPEAK TO TEACHERS AND SCHOOL COUNSELORS, meet and discuss your child with their teachers, learn what areas you can help the child achieve and be involved in the quality of education your child receives. Attend the child's school functions, show them school is important.

WHEN YOUR CHILD IS GOING OUT, know where your child is going, who he/she is going with and how he/she will get there. Set a reasonable time for the child to return home, and enforce that time.

ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS OR OTHER ACTIVITIES. Children need to belong and want to be part of something, so let them belong to scouts, or a sports team. These activities build self-esteem and give the child a feeling that he/she belongs to something worthwhile.
 
Resources
Description Link
Arlington ISD http://www.aisd.net/
Safe City Commission http://www.safecitycommission.org/
Boys & Girls Club of Arlington http://www.bgcarltx.org/
Sante Fe Adolescent Services http://www.santafeyouth.org/
The Parenting Center http://www.theparentingcenter.org/
 

 

 
Contact Us

Arlington Police Department
Special Investigations
Gang Unit
620 West Division St.
Arlington, Texas 76011

(817) 459-5360