Toledo Police Department

Gang / Youth Crimes Unit

2301 Nebraska

Scott Park District Station

Toledo, Ohio 43607

419-936-3666

Fax:  419-245-1178

Tpd.gangs@ci.toledo.oh.us

The Gang/Youth Crime Unit is attached to the Operations Section of the Toledo Police Department, and is based at the Scott Park District Station.  Lt. Bradley Weis commands this unit whose patrol responsibilities encompass the entire city. 

The unit works in conjunction with the Selective Enforcement Section, all three District Stations, as well as the Community Service Sections which include the School Resource Officers. 

The Gang/Youth Crime Unit is comprised of the Lieutenant, one Sergeant, and eight Patrol Officers.

Mission:

            The Gang/Youth Crime Unit will aggressively confront the issues and activities centered on gang activity and youth crime throughout the City of Toledo.  This will include, but is not limited to, the following efforts:

1.                  Intelligence gathering and analysis.

2.                  Establishing a database of collected and reported information.

3.                  Develop enforcement efforts directed at identified groups, individuals, and areas of concern.

4.                  Establish a resource sharing network to include street units and command, School Resource Officers (SRO’s), Community Service Officers (CSO’s), outside agencies and adjacent jurisdictions

5.                  Establish a graffiti database by individual, group, and location.

6.                  Combine efforts with other City of Toledo departments to document and have graffiti removed.

7.                  Coordinate efforts when possible with the Board of Education Security, Lucas County Dog Warden, and the City of Toledo Youth Commission.

8.                  Work for legislation to expand parental responsibility for juvenile criminal activity and conduct.

9.                  Provide information on resources available to problem youth and their families through partnership with other city agencies.

As a parent, there is a lot you can do to keep your children from joining a gang:

• Learn about gangs and signs of gang activity.
• Join others in keeping your neighborhood gang-free.
• Understand children as young as nine often are joining gangs.
• Children join to belong to a group, for excitement, protection, money, and to be with friends.
• Understand what special colors and emblems mean.
• Identifying gang symbols on walls, books, paper or clothing as graffiti.

Parents Role:

       Many gang members say they joined because the gang offered them support, caring, and a sense of order and purpose.  The odds are that the better you as a parent meet these needs, the less chance your children will seek gang membership.

• Talk and listen to your child
• Put high values on education and help your child do their very best in school.
• Do everything possible to involve your children in supervised, positive activities.
• Praise your children for doing well and always encourage them to do their very best.
• Know what your child is doing and with whom.

Summary:

      Be open and talk with your children.  Advise them of your disapproval of gangs, and the consequences of belonging to a gang.  Be there for your children and let them know you will help them through any problems they encounter in life.