NCJ Number
187341
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 25 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2001 Pages: 46-48
Date Published
March 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Gang members are increasingly using the Internet as an electronic turf for developing web sites to display their colors and symbols, to warn off enemies, and for sending e-mail as a form of electronic graffiti and to spread the gang culture and recruit nationwide.
Abstract
The Internet is becoming an electronic turf for many gangs. Many web sites contain the gang roster, as well as a list of gang rivals. Some sites have photographs of gang members wearing gang clothing, showing gang hand signs, displaying gang weapons, and using drugs. Reading messages can help determine the insults, greetings, and challenges issued by the hosting gang or rival gang members. Being a gang member or hosting a web site is not illegal. However, a few reports indicate that some gangs use the Internet for drug dealing. In addition, a few cyber gangs meet only over the Internet. Two homicide investigations have monitored public chat rooms; investigators can fax a court order or search warrant to the provider to obtain the subscriber information. However, encryption and other security procedures used by some web sites can slow investigations. Law enforcement needs to be aware of how gangs are using the Internet. Illustrations