Lynn cops to increase anti-gang presence

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Lynn cops to increase anti-gang presence

By Dan O'Brien and Thor Jourgensen / The Daily Item

LYNN - The Police Department plans to increase its anti-gang enforcement efforts before the summer gets underway.

Police Chief John Suslak said the plan to have four additional officers work with gang unit members at least through July coincides with a commitment by District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett to quickly prosecute gang members charged with assaults and firearms possession.

"It's a concern we all have," Suslak said.

A gang-related triple shooting May 23 in a Warren Street playground sent three men to hospitals with minor injuries. The shooting occurred a week after state youth workers and representatives of local organizations urged Lynn business owners to employ teenagers after the school year ends.

Currently, the police department's Gang Unit is under the command of Sgt. Michael Vail, who oversees detectives Robert Hogan, Geovanni Ruano, Oren Wright and Gary Hagerty.

The department's 2007 Annual Report states the Gang Unit works both day and night shifts.

"Their initial objective is intelligence gathering and identifying gangs operating in the city, whose members have been charged with or are suspected of criminal activity," reads a department statement describing the Gang Unit. "Upon gathering significant intelligence regarding gang members and their activity, the unit takes proactive approach in order to solve crimes and prevent further crimes."

The Gang Unit often works with police departments in surrounding communities and is active with the North Shore Gang Task Force, a collaborative effort between police north of Boston to combat gangs.

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Reader Comments

Comments so far on this story:

IAN wrote on Jun 4, 2008 7:55 PM:

" QUITE MAKING EXCUSES FOR THE CRIMINALS I SAY IF A MAN BREAKS INTO MY HOUSE HURTS MY FAMILY, AND/OR STEALS MY PROPERTY I HAVE THE RIGHT TO END THAT MANS LIFE THEN AND THERE "

Shaun lynn wrote on Jun 4, 2008 1:07 PM:

" to add to your commit Chris, know one should be scared of theses kids, but they are the question. to ask why? if they was giving the opportunity to learn a trade some type of work that would be half the battle. but saying that success is not for everybody really. "

Luckystar wrote on Jun 4, 2008 12:24 PM:

" Lets hope this makes a big difference. "

CHRIS LYNN wrote on Jun 4, 2008 9:51 AM:

" PUT THE COPS ON THE STREETS WHO ARE NOT AFRAID OF THESE PUNKS. "

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