Violent Gangs: Stafford’s Growing Problem

Stafford County, Va. –– Violent gangs are a home-grown problem in Stafford County, filled with teenagers –– even some children –– looking for a sense of family they aren’t getting at home.

That’s the message Stafford Sheriff Charles E. Jett delivered to area business owners Wednesday, presenting a condensed version of a report on gang activity he delivered to county supervisors earlier this year.

Jett touted the work of the Rappahannock Regional Gang Taskforce created in 2005 to combat the southward progression of gang activity, and praised taskforce member 1st Sgt. Eric Jessee who delivered the presentation.

“A lot of times in the past, you had gang members who lived with their parents in Northern Virginia. Their parents wanted to get them out of the gang so they moved down here. The problem is if the child doesn’t want to get out of the gang you’re just bringing the problem here,” said Jessee.

The average age of gang members in Stafford County is estimated to be between 18 and 19-years-old.

Of the estimated 244 – 263 gang members in the Rappahannock region, up to 50 of them are juveniles who have joined organizations like 218 Boys, Goon Squad, Savage Boys and Killer Mafia.

There known for using guns to rob convenience stores and gas stations, invade house parties while armed, and for stealing weapons from parked police cruisers. In all cases, the gangs are considered to be violent.

Since children are being recruited into gangs at young ages, police say parents must become better managers of their children.

“There is nobody in a gang in Stafford, or in Fredericksburg, or Spotsylvania or Fairfax that’s not in that gang by choice. This is not the 60s, you’re not in Brooklyn, you’re not in Chicago, you’re not in East L.A. … so when a parent says ‘my kid was forced to join’ that’s not true for here. They’re diluting themselves,” said Jessee.