Gangs Guns & Graffiti

Problems for Today’s Communities Deputy Russ Williams Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Regional Gang Task Force

Speaker Introduction 

Deputy Russ Williams  Deputy Sheriff for nearly 17 years  9 Years at LA County Sheriff’s Dept ○ 6 years working the jails ○ 3 years patrolling Temple Station areas  7+ years at Riverside Sheriff’s Dept ○ 3+ years working gangs

The views and information presented today are mine, many from my own experiences.

Most of the photos are public access from the internet. If you see someone pictured that you know, it DOES NOT mean they are a gang member or involved in criminal activity.

Objectives Learn what a gang is  Learn how to recognize gang members  Learn a little about guns, armed people, and concealed carry  Learn to identify different styles of graffiti  Learn a little about drugs, the various types of drugs, and drug dealers  Learn to NOT be a victim of crime 

RECOGNIZING GANG MEMBERS WHAT IS A CRIMINAL STREET GANG? California Penal Code 186.22  (STEP ACT) 

 A group of 3 or more people  With a common sign or symbol

 Engaged in an ongoing criminal enterprise

GANGS?

Recognizing Gangsters Gang Attire  Tattoos  Associates  Activities 

TATTOOS

Baseball caps Washington Nationals

“W” for “west side”

Pittsburgh Pirates

Patterson Park or Pomona, P-Locs

St Louis Cardinals

Lime Street Gang

Cincinnati Reds

Corona Varrio Locos

HAND SIGNS

GUNS

Recognizing armed people 

Loose fitting clothing



Bulges around waistband area



Touching gun or area of gun frequently

Loose fitting clothing

Concealable firearms

Concealed Carry (CCW)  So

you want to carry a gun for protection?

Train, Train, Train



CCW Procedures  Different in every county, see your local law enforcement

 Must complete firearms safety course and qualify with your

gun  Cost is usually around $500.00  Requirements ○ 1. Legal resident ○ 2. At least 21 years of age ○ 3. Good Cause ○ 4. Good Moral Character

 http://www.californiaconcealedcarry.com

GRAFITTI Tagger Crew or Gangsters ??

TAGGER CREWS AND GANGS Usually coexist  Have different styles of graffiti  Typically are less violent  Main mission is to place “tag” as many places as possible  Graffiti costs city large amounts of money to remove 

 Riverside County Spends more than

$310,000 per year on graffiti abatement

TAGGER CREWS

DRUGS

WHAT DRUGS USERS BRING TO YOU 

Increased crime in community  Vehicle thefts  Burglaries to cars and homes  Possible violence from rival gangs / dealers



Availability of drugs to kids in the community

What Methamphetamine does to a person over time

How do you know if drugs are in your community? 

Dealers in the area  Vehicle traffic  Foot traffic  Bicycles traffic  Numerous visitors to houses that stay for a short

time

What you can do to avoid becoming a victim 

Don’t confront gang members  Call the police



Avoid being a burglary victim       

Lock doors & windows Alarm systems Exterior lights with motion sensors Dogs Video surveillance Alarm system sign out front or on window Clear house of door hangers, pick up newspapers, have neighbor p/u when on vacation  Interior lights on random timers

Marijuana Grow Houses 

Grow houses  Little traffic or rare visits by occupants  Fans on at night  Smell of marijuana around house  Electrical box work ○ 498(d) PC for stolen electricity

 Butane canisters in trash ○ From producing concentrated cannabis

Questions?

Deputy Russ Williams Riverside Country Sheriff’s Department Gang Task Force Region 7 Russwill@riversidesheriff.org