Sheriff's Office: Report Gang Activity

Noting an increase in reports of crime in areas affected by gangs during recent weeks, authorities are asking for residents' help in identifying and targeting gang activity.

reps via a new Facebook page said the reported crimes range from graffiti and property damage to theft and assaults. 

Blocking gang communication by painting over graffiti or "tagging" and using nuisance and loitering laws to prevent gang members from gathering in public places are two ways to suppress their activities and related crime, according to a report referenced by the sheriff's office.

"We...urge community members to work together with us to keep our communities gang-free," officials said in the Facebook update. "Please report any activity identified as gang-related to law enforcement."

Such acts includes graffiti, whether known to be gang-related or not; property damage, for which the primary reason was not theft; and medium or large groups of young people congregating late at night.

"These activities put a strain on our community resources and cause fear amongst our citizens," they added. "BCSO encourages all citizens to research gang activities and stay alert to your neighborhood environments."

The effort comes two years after shootings in Cartersville neighborhoods off Cassville Road, including Bartow County's first gang-related homicide. A judge in December put following jury convictions in the March 2010 shooting death of 19-year-old Norman Ray Moore Jr. on Middlebrook Drive.

A third teen, who was 14 years old at the time of Moore's death, , but eventually was acquitted by a judge.

Investigators have said Moore’s death resulted from gang members "flexing their muscle" following turf disputes. A Middlebrook Drive shots-fired incident a few months before Moore's death also was gang-related, but resulted in no injuries.

Following arrests in the case, Sheriff Clark Millsap held public sessions to educate residents about gangs and their activities.