On March 31st, rapper Nipsey Hussle was killed and the outpouring of grief has rival gangs in Los Angeles, the Bronx and Newark calling for an end to the violence that is synonymous with gang activity.
The Crips and the Bloods rumble over turf, respect and a whole list of other things. This is not the first time a call to end violence has happened, but it may be the most highly publicized.
Unfortunately, we are no stranger to gang activity in North Dakota – specifically Fargo. Sgt. Shawn Gamradt is with the Metro Street Crimes Unit the Fargo Police Department created. One aspect of his job is to work with officers on gang activity in our area. He surprises a lot of people with some of the statistics – including the number of gangs in Fargo on any given day.
“Most are born into gang life,” says Gamradt. He is referring to individuals who are born to parents who are already engaging in gang activity. They grow up and its the only life they have known, so it makes sense they would join as well.
(Sgt. Shawn Gamradt in the KFGO studios)
Gamradt also clarified the definition of gang. We often see three people together wearing red and immediately jump to conclusions – but a gang is a group of people who identify themselves as a group and engage in criminal activity. Violence, theft, etc. The criminal activity is the key to the definition. For example, a motorcycle club that rides together and may even support one of the motorcycle gang is NOT considered a gang because they do not engage in criminal activity. If they should start, they are now a gang and not a club.
Being smart and making sure education is part of the goal to keep gang related crime down is important. Gamradt and other members of the MSCU can be called in to have conversations with those who fear retaliation for leaving a gang or given a heads up if it appears they are headed into gang life.
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(Amy Iler & JJ Gordon are talk-show hosts at 790 AM KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. “It Takes 2 with Amy & JJ” can be heard weekdays 11am-2pm. Check out the show page on
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