By Steve Thomas Observer Nevis Editor
(Newcastle, Nevis) – A joint meeting of the federal cabinet and the Nevis Island Administration cabinet held Wednesday heard a report on gang culture written by a member of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI agent who prepared the report is currently still an active member of the bureau, though he will be accepting a position with the government next year, according to press spokesman Erasmus Williams. The contents of the report are not available now but will be in the future, he said. In addition to hearing the report on gang culture, the agenda included a discussion of the impact of the global economic crisis on the Federation. The meeting, held at the Mt. Nevis Hotel near Newcastle, went into closed session following opening remarks by Premier Joseph Parry and Prime Minister Denzil Douglas. “The two cabinets have worked very well together,” Premier Parry said. “We look forward to working together.” Dr. Douglas echoed his sentiments. “Thank you for this very warm welcome,” he said. “(The meetings) have been valuable and practical.” After the opening remarks, the meeting was closed to the press. However, there are some clues as to what the ministers might have heard. Earlier this week, Dr. Douglas discussed the crime report during his weekly “Ask the Prime Minister” radio program. The report is a comprehensive study of the root causes of the problem of crime, especially gang violence among young people, he said. The prime minister urged all stakeholders, including the church, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and all the political parties to ‘sit down and discuss what needs to be done to ensure that we can live a safe, decent and better life and those who visit us can also enjoy our country.” “We will then formulate our national plan to deal with this particular issue,” said Dr. Douglas. The report was authored by an FBI agent. The FBI is the top crime-fighting agency in the United States. The director of the FBI answers to the attorney general, who in turn serves at the pleasure of the President of the United States. Those who break federal laws are subject to investigation and arrest by the FBI. In the U.S., where gang activities are a national problem, the FBI has 131 anti-gang units in operation. Last year, FBI Director Robert Mueller spoke about the agency’s anti-gang efforts. Here are some of his remarks: On the changing threat. “Modern gangs are more diverse, more dispersed, and more dangerous. There is no ‘typical’ gang. Some are comprised of just three or four individuals whose sole ambition is to control drug sales on their corner. Others have high tech hierarchies and maintain their own websites. One gang may be robbing a bank for extra spending money, while five blocks down, another gang may be committing murder for a criminal enterprise being run out of a prison.” On the FBI’s longstanding anti-gang strategy. “One can picture the gang problem as a pyramid. The base is primarily made up of the unsophisticated, loosely organized gangs. In the middle of the pyramid are more structured gangs. And at the top is a relatively small number of highly sophisticated gangs that are involved in organized criminal activity. These are the groups the FBI has traditionally looked for. Our strategy has been to imprison, and thereby eliminate, the leadership of gang enterprises.” Since gangs in the Federation do not advertise their activities and police, in order to protect their investigations, relatively few facts can be established to document the depth of the gang problem here, especially in relation to a country the size of the U.S. However, some gang-related behaviors seem to know no national boundaries. The FBI has consulted Linda Schmidt over the years. She has spent the last two decades immersed in gang issues. First, leading a gang prevention program for a non-profit agency for nine years, then spearheading gang awareness initiatives as a community outreach specialist in our Cleveland and Cincinnati offices for the next 11 years. During that time Linda has ridden in patrol cars with police officers through gang-infested neighborhoods; worked with gang members in courts, schools, and prisons; and provided all kinds of training for law enforcement officers, educators, and community groups. In an interview with the FBI press office, she offered some insights based on her experiences: Q: What signs can help warn parents that their kids are involved in gangs? A: Watch for changes in your child’s personality, grades, clothing, and friends. Has your son or daughter been tattooed? Or injured”because boys are often beaten and girls raped as part of their initiation into a gang. You also have the right to go into your child’s room and check for contraband. Discuss this with them. It’s always good to let them know you”re doing your job as a parent. If you suspect that your child has joined or is thinking of joining a gang, talk to them. Stay calm and respond without shock and fear no matter what they say. This will let them know that they can keep talking to you. Q: Any words of advice on how to steer young people away from gangs? A: Yes, two things. First, one of the attractions of a gang is its strict discipline. With that discipline comes structure and limits and a sense of security and belonging. That’s what we need to offer to our young people as well”just in a positive way. We can’t be afraid, as parents and teachers, to provide structure and discipline to our children and students. I think the government can help by delivering funded programs that our young people can turn to”especially when there are problems at home’to feel safe and to belong. These programs should be 24/7, just like the gangs are. Second, on a more general level, all of us”parents, educators, community leaders, elected officials, law enforcement”need constant education about gangs and gang trends. Gangs are forever changing”we need to keep up.
