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Gangs drawn to higher drug prices on Outer Banks
Tips on gangs shown at the meeting. Click for a larger view.
Following two weeks in which rumors circulated about a huge gang-related fight at the 7-Eleven in Kill Devil Hills, which was confirmed, and another altercation at a nightspot in Kitty Hawk, which has not been confirmed by police, the timing for such a program seemed appropriate.
As the Voice reported in an earlier story, police are seeing an increase in gang-related activity locally.
But the Thin Blue Line must walk some fine lines where gang activity is concerned.
Sgt. Brandon Henderson and Det. R.D. Johnson took great care to remind the crowd that local gang activity is nowhere near the level of areas like New York, Norfolk or even Elizabeth City. And they were careful not to overstate the presence of gangs locally.
During a portion of the program on helping parents, employers and others learn to identify gang signs by clothing, colors, tattoos and graffiti, the officers explained the difficulty in separating actual members from “fantasy” followers — young people who merely emulate the colors and graffiti.
Groups on the Outer Banks run the gamut from organized Russian crime to white supremacist groups, “Bloods” and “Crips” and even a handful of hardcore motorcycle gang members.
The attraction to gangs is what police described as the “bridge tax,” a higher retail price for drugs sold in Dare County than in surrounding areas.
For example, a gram of cocaine sells for $70 in Elizabeth City and $110 in Dare County. An ounce brings $1,960 in Elizabeth City but yields $3,080 here. A kilo of the drug nets $70,000 in Pasquotank, but brings $110,000 on the beach.
Henderson described the gang infiltration as analogous to a fast-food chain exploring a new market.
Gang “sets,” local gangs affiliated with one of the larger, national gangs in other areas, send scouts to Dare. They explore the potential market, locate restaurants and nightspots where sales can take place and recruit low-level users to network within the community.
Henderson described previous local drug dealers as “old school” and said the arrival of gangs was akin to a “hostile takeover” of the local market.
Because of pressure from Elizabeth City law enforcement and the lucrative drug market in Dare, gang members, including a high-ranking “three-star general” from one of the Blood’s “sets,” have taken up residence locally.
While this came as a surprise to the older members of the crowd, parents of teens who were in attendance stated their children were already aware of the gang presence, including the “three-star.”
All of which pointed to the reason law enforcement is holding these public meetings and encouraging parents, employers and teachers to communicate with the youth and be aware of the gang signs.
One officer mentioned walking through a local business and seeing gang tattoos and gang logos on an employee’s sneakers — signs most of us would not relate to gang affiliations.
The Department of Corrections has identified a number of gang members who have passed through their facilities and have begun to build a database of their findings.
In a five-county area that includes Dare, Currituck, Camden, Hyde and Tyrell counties, 44 percent of gang members tracked through the prison system have come from Dare County (no raw numbers were provided).
Several members of the crowd suggested local police needed more personnel to combat the emerging threat.
Both officers turned those questions back, stating they felt comfortable with current staffing levels and their ability to handle the nascent gang presence here.
What the police need, Henderson noted, is more awareness among the general population of what constitutes gang activity so that information can be passed along to the police.
“Fifty of you in this room, once educated, can do far, far more” than one extra police officer, Henderson noted.
Although no actual numbers of total gang membership in Dare was provided, police estimated there were probably 30 to 40 “regulars” who are now active locally.
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Frank Moore says:
Now is really a good time for KDH to be one police officer short. Will Britt call Anderson back from his sweet job overseas or will the Town leaders fill his position with someone who wants to work in KDH, when needed, not at his choice ??
Jackie Harris says:
I believe that that the Police Dept. also need Judge’s that will give the Maximum sentence when a person is convicted for drug dealing!, The PD can only do so much. Maybe they should request Federal Help and have a Fed do the arresting that way there is no probation aloud, and they will be sent to Fed Prison not Dare, or local lockup’s.
obxdad says:
This is the kind of community outreach we should be seeing more of… kudos to KDH Cops for making the effort!
that girl says:
I heard this was an incredibly well laid out program, full of pertinent information and well presented. Congrats to our Officers for doing their homework.
Old News says:
The only thing to do is dramatically reduce the price of drugs so much that there is no economic incentive for this kind of activity in this area & no incentive for violence.
its the only permanent solution.
concerned says:
what are the identifying symbols, tattoos, signs and colors ????
Are their going to be any future meetings since a lot of never heard ???
Tank says:
Need more police dedicated strictly to drug-gang activity.
Tank says:
Of course with the current far right mind set of cut government services so that the wealthy can get tax breaks funding may be an issue.
wanchese says:
Like pedifiles, few if any can be turned around. They need to be run out of here before it gets out hand if it hasn`t already. I personally know 5 young people that have been hooked on heroin. I for one am not to say this here, in public or in front of law enforcement, if it were one of my kids the drug dealer will be sleeping with the fishes! 3 star needs to take the celestial dirt nap for being the dirt bag that he is! I saw one MC club member and tried to see witch club but he was going too fast to read the patch.
Jimmy Woodson says:
Old News is on to it….let’s remember the violence that surrounded Prohibition. And it costs YOU a bunch of money to lock a 20 year old up while he gets a good education in criminal activity inside.
junkman says:
I’d like to know why the drug prices are higher in Dare than
in other areas. Understanding that may help in addressing the issue. Its also good to see that, for once, the cops don’t seem to be overblowing this situation. Things like this are typically used a to scare residents into giving them more money. A rational approach is refreshing.
Gene Hoglan says:
Those quoted drug prices are highly inflated, which begs the question as to the quality of information the police are being fed.
ekim says:
Tank your a far left whining LIBERAL, Go get a job work real HARD like us wealthy people do EVERYDAY! Then one day ill show you how make it look like you make very little, So its not taken away an put in your LAZY WALLET!
obxmntr says:
Next time the KDH police have a meeting like this I think it should be recorded and then posted on the OB Voice, so that those of us that have to work could be informed at a later time.
Sue says:
The only way to solve this problem is stop using drugs, period.
john says:
only people to blame are the drug users. keep using drugs and the gangs will stay. if you know someone who is using then take action. that will be one less user who will buy.
obxdad says:
The only people to blame are sanctimonious jerks who somehow think people will change thousands of years of behavior and stop using mind altering substances.
Keeping drugs illegal keeps drug dealers in business. It will never change. Even countries with the death penalty for drugs still have illicit trade. The only solution is a harm reduction strategy like the Netherlands has effectively pursued.
KDH Rezident Evil says:
Keep up the good fight against the gangs and crime, KDH police. Business owners and rental property managers can do their part by not giving these thugs any toehold in our community.
Fresh Idea says:
Easy to blame the users. How about giving our kids more to do so that the need to find that ‘family’ is eradicated. Too often we put down instead of build up.
Selena K says:
I don’t understand why so many kids are so “BORED” these days to begin with. We live in a veritable paradise compared to an hour inland, for cryin’ out loud.
Kids truly cannot find something to do with themselves around here? I don’t buy it. They don’t all have to surf or skim to find suitable activity.
How about making them do some CHORES AT HOME for starters? Instead of letting them sit around whining that they just want to be inside playing video games.
If the summer employers won’t hire our kids, then we can sure find something for them to do at home to earn money like a summer job. Same for weekends during the school year. Nothing like slogging, awful dirty work to make a kid appreciate having free time without complaining…
Selena K says:
…or turning to drugs or gangs. Hard work builds character, self-esteem, humility and ambition. We just have a lot of spoiled, entitled kids these days (along with some lazy parents). Not pointing any fingers here–some are relatives of mine, so I can speak from experience.
Sue says:
OBXDAD: “The only people to blame are sanctimonious jerks who somehow think people will change thousands of years of behavior and stop using mind altering substances.”
My comment about the only way to solve the problem is to stop using drugs, though idealistic, is still true. The problem has to be approached from the user side. That is the only way to stop criminal activity. There is nothing sanctimonious about that statement. It is fact.
This means there has to be education and rehabilitation, not to mention alternative ways to deal with the environment that is conducive to drug use. Keep in mind that people still have to live by the law, even in the Netherlands. If they are incapable of living by the law, then the Dutch try to find out why and address that problem accordingly.
The drug policy of the Netherlands officially has four major objectives:
1. To prevent recreational drug use and to treat and rehabilitate recreational drug users.
2. To reduce harm to users.
3. To diminish public nuisance by drug users (the disturbance of public order and safety in the neighborhood).
4. To combat the production and trafficking of recreational drugs.
So in no sense, at all, does the Netherlands welcome “mind-altering substances”. The Netherlands has very distinct definitions between “hard and soft” drug use and penalties for import/export of hard substances are very stiff. Try dealing this way over there and you might very well find yourself in prison for 16 or 18 years. It’s not as hunky dory as people want to wish/think.
But I believe they have a handle on it better than here, even though usage in the Netherlands is still above places like Finland. Better standards of living help, I am sure.
bobby says:
well said fresh idea. but i dont see that changing in the forseeable future. we are on a spiral that gets worse and worse each generation.
ken says:
Maybe the pd department could share what drug gang signs are with the chamber or business owners so employers could make more informed decisions when hiring workers.
Dave P says:
I would humbly point out that rarely is there a proverbial silver bullet for the concerns of our society. Those who cry, “the only answer is…” sound terribly misinformed, and those casting liberalism or conservatism as being at fault should have their trolling ignored…spouting such nonsense contributes to the solution about as much as the drug dealers do.
I think the police are moving in the right direction by raising awareness in the community without resorting to fear mongering; and attacking this growing issue on more than one front. Bravo!
gangneighbors says:
I have a drug house populated by gang members in my neighborhood and the police have been “unable” to do anything about it! Upwards of 12-15 are in residence at any given time in this 2 bedroom 1 bath. The septic must be shot as they are going behind the house to use the bathroom. Have been to police department on numerous occasions, attended first gang member meeting in KDH, sent to property manager’s office to “inform” them of situation and even contacted property owner! All to no avail. Useless situation! They seem to have more rights than I do, so my only recourse may be to relocate! You would not believe the “upstanding” people I see “visiting” that house of drugs/gangs!
Bill says:
I blame the users as much as the dealers. As others noted, decrease in users either though “education,” or harsh punishment (loss of business licensing, professional accreditation, heavy fines and/or other penalties etc..), and the dealer’s will have “less business” incentive to market the OBX.
All in all, they are here because there is demand. A premium price for their product tells that obviously higher “disposable” income accounts for the higher price.
Who has the highest disposable income?
Bill says:
Another question: Do police ever play the role of “dealer” to nab users/buyers?
I know there are often sting operations that target dealers with police posing as customers, but does it go the other way?
obxdad says:
Sue,
I do agree the problem has to be approached from the user side – eliminate the market, and eliminate the dealer.
However, my point was really addressing those who see use as a law enforcement rather than a public health problem.
Incarcerating users has taken people in need of medical help and thrown them into Criminal University, with little hope for a life that doesn’t involve drugs or crime upon graduation.
obxdad says:
I should have said – eliminate demand, and you will eliminate the dealer.
However, with one illegal drug, Cannabis, there are so many people who are able to use it in a responsible manner to add enjoyment, relieve stress, and mitigate anxiety that it’s criminal to make it’s users criminal.
Yes, perhaps people “should” not use any drug, but we are dealing with reality, and reality doesn’t care much for idealism.
The word “should” should be used far less often when applied to anyone but ourselves.
obxer says:
I agree with concerned. What are the signs,symbols, and colors? Also what do we do when we see these? I see so many people with tatoos that will be impossible to identify. We need to be informed on what to look for and what to do when we see these things.
Bill says:
Yea, reality cannot address use for all drugs.
However, focus on the two most damaging here on the OBX both with use and possible criminal “gang dealer” activity, being Meth and Cocaine. Perhaps USERS of these specific two drugs could be targeted by police just as much, and as harshly as the dealers.
Eliminate/minimize the demand for coke and meth, thus eliminating the market interest and supply.
obxlocal says:
As long as their is a demand for drugs their will ALWAYS be a supply…lets target gangs and the junkies too!!!
KDH Rezident Evil says:
Should be pointed out that if you are addicted and need help there are some resources available locally…other web sites might have more information, but this one seems pretty inclusive of the services Dare and Currituck residents might use:
http://www.darekids.org/guide.php?cat=34
The Andy says:
If our Powers-That-Be would spend half the money they spend on Tobacco Education and Awareness, on Drug Education and Awareness, we could see the same decrease in Drug Use over time as we have seen in Tobacco Use over the last 15-20 years.
If we can outlaw the simple choice of not wearing a seat belt, which hurts no one but the person choosing not to wear it, we can certainly not tolerate any more mind altering substances.
OBX Resident says:
Gangs have always existed on the Outer Banks. When I was growing up there were the Beach’rs, Wanchesers, Manteo’rs, Psychos from Skyco, Colingtonians, etc…We were all thrown into the same school, it was a much simpler time.
giveup says:
In Colington Harbour, just past the gate, a particular house is now home to drug dealers/gang members. The home owner has allowed them to occupy (squat) in the home. In lieu of rent, they supply the home owner with drugs. A local law enforcement officer confirmed this. Wake up people, the problem is right under your nose and getting worse. I have small children in that neighborhood and will not tolerate this. If the local PD doesn’t tighten the reigns, this will become a “big city” problem. Imagine the seasonal visitors that pay our salaries get wind of this? What then? I’m NOT making this up, these ARE the facts from local law enforcement.
Mrs. D says:
I want to feel safe with my kids here in the OBX! In this economy, I don’t have the choice but to stay. Leaving my home and my job to get away from this mess isn’t fair to me or my kids.
Concerned citizen says:
For those of you who doubt this activity is
happening, you should wake up and pull your
head out of the sand!! You either have no children
or have children that are to young to be affected .
I hope and pray you don’t find out 1st hand
how real it is. They are carrying guns and
have done “drive by shootings” to two homes
that I know of. I too, personally know 5 young
people who are or have been addicted to
heroin. Awareness is key. Hug your children
tight .
LuvColingtonHarbour says:
giveup speaks the truth … i live near that house he/she speaks of … we have to let these people know that we WILL NOT put up with their ways in our neighborhood!
jt says:
I can’t imagine that a drug dealer/gang member is going to complain about being harassed, and if they did…who cares?
This needs to stop NOW before it grows to a much bigger problem.
Put away the radar guns and get down to serious police work.
silently watching says:
Sue:
I disagree. There’s been drug use here since the Brits landed.. but there hasn’t been gang bangers selling it.
The reason drugs aren’t legal here is because of these type of people. They are parasites. They are weeds. They must be kept out of our lawn. They will not be driven into non existance, but we can make them leave the beach. Keep your eyes open. Report gang citings to police. Know who your children are hanging out with. Keep your eyes open. These guys use the youth to make money. If you see 5 guys hanging out on the lawn every day wearing red, chances are they aren’t all NC State Fans..
silently watching says:
Mrs D.. Leaving here is not the option. They are everywhere.. less here than anywhere else I’ve lived. We can uproot them here. Just because we have drug users here, doesn’t mean we have to have violent drug dealing gangs here.
Sue says:
Silently Watching, whoever sells drugs needs to be busted. Kids need education and incentive to stay away from drugs. People who are hooked need to be in rehab. Perhaps if we approached the problem like the Dutch, there could be some cleansing and relief.
jamie says:
Drugs are dangerous and beer can just as dangerous. But there is no beer gang because their is no money in it. Don’t want to support Mexican drug cartels let people grow there own. Other drugs sell them and tax them. I bet use of hard drugs only goes up a little. But the gag activity. G will be gone.
jamie says:
And yes inform people that just because it legal doesn’t make it smart. War on drugs would be over people stealing people drugs over.you spending hundreds of bucks for doc visits because advil doesn’t cut it done. Some people are irresponsible and laws don’t change that. Other country’s over the counter drugs are much stronger than ours. And they are not lined up around the corner to buy them.id like to think most of us are smart enough to not use cocaine legally or not.
Sue says:
It doesn’t help when employment is so high. People learn at a young age that they can tap into drug dealing and earn a lot of extra cash, so why search for a traditional job? It’s sad to think that so many people are so stuck and so bored.
Beach Girl OBX says:
There are more of “us” than them currently…my intent would be to make ANY drug dealer/user/gang member feel quite unwelcome by any means. I am their worst enemy. I am a Mom.
Daniel L. Barth says:
The W1 seems to have recently overtaken the W3 in size and power sometime in the past year.