Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

We don't really have gangs around here, so I was hoping to find out from people that live in larger areas. I'm guessing that the majority of activities that gang members partake in is illegal, but is wearing the colors, and hanging out with other members a crime. I would think that someone could be charged with constructive possession if they hung out with members that were selling drugs, right? Thanks in advance everyone.

Being in a gang in and of itself is not a crime. Any illegal activities one partakes in, either as an individual or member of said gang, however is illegal.

That's what I thought, but like I said, we don't have gangs around here so I wasn't exactly sure. Thanks for the fast reply.

Registered gang members on probation can be ordered, as a term of their probation, not to associate with other gang members. We had judges sign injunctions that prohibited certain gangs members from being within those areas of the city as well as associating with other known gang members. Injunctions can include flying colors as well as warring gangs.

We have enhancements (additional penalties/punishment) for gang members committing crimes...

The city of Nashville just recently sued a gang, asking for an injunction to keep them all away from each other. I'm curious to see how that's going to go. I'm pretty sure they have a significant amount of evidence of their activities to support it.