How To Help Police Take Down Gangs (VIDEO)

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Fargo police arrest three people in a drug bust. Investigators are trying to determine if the suspects have gang-related ties. In the area’s recently announced fight against gangs, community involvement plays a vital role.

Nelli Ochoa lives in Countryside Trailer Court, a community Fargo police have recently identified as an area of gang related activity.

“They need to check up on the ones that live here and make sure that they’re not bringing any trouble,” says Ochoa.

She’s noticed that her neighborhood has been changing.

“It’s been better just, I want to say, a couple of months ago it got worse,” she says.

Fargo’s new gang task force is underway. Six full-time officers are investigating the streets to try and take down the several gangs that have settled in the metro. But they need help.

“Community involvement is critical and the community’s support is critical and that’s why we’re putting that information out there,” said Fargo Police Chief David Todd.

In the ’90’s, Fargo experienced a similar problem. So, much like today, they set up a street crimes unit. But if it wasn’t for the several tips police got from bystanders, it might not have worked.

“We had a tragedy happen where a woman was killed in West Fargo which was gang related and that caused the community to kind of galvanize and come together,” explains Todd.

Police admit that sometimes deciding whether activity is suspicious or not can be difficult. But they say if there is any doubt in your mind, make the call.
“If you see some activity like an unusual number of people going in and out of a residence at all times of the day, if you see some tension between groups of people where you think there’s going to be a fight that’s about to happen that’s something we’re certainly interested in,” Todd says.

Nelli will be keeping an eye on her neighborhood. Police also want to remind you to call them and do not step in if you see any illegal activity.