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A Community Reaction

SCARED

SHOCKED

DISBELIEF

ANGRY

Those four words pretty much sum up the extent of the community reaction to the news that gangs have completely infiltrated the growing suburban community of Sterling, Va.

After two recent town hall sessions, one in Sterling and one in Herndon, Va., residents of the quickly growing and prospering community of Sterling learned about one downside that comes along with such growth – an influx of criminals, or in their case, gangs.

Scared

“That’s the most frightening thing I’ve ever heard!” said Jan Sprucer of Dominion View. “I have a 2-year-old son! I don’t want him going to school with gang members.”

Her neighbor, Brandy Kline, agreed, noting that she was very concerned about recent gangs signs found in the community. A bench at the community playground nearby has MS-13 written on it in black letters.

Shocked

The playground is not the only place where graffiti has recently been found.

“I was so surprised to see a picture of gang graffiti on my daughter’s school,” said Kuljit Kaur of Sterling. “After school care programs for working parents don’t seem like a very good idea anymore with gang activities in their backyards.”

David Earle of Cascades was also surprised to hear about gangs in Loudoun County. “This seems like such a peaceful place. Granted, you have the usual young hooligans, but nothing major!”

However, recent statistics show that 12 people have been murdered due to gang violence in Northern Va. in the past two years.

Disbelief

Several community members found the news hard to deal with, or simply did not believe it at all.

“I’ve lived here all my life,” said Betty Thompson of Sterling. “You can’t tell me there are gangs here. I haven’t seen anything!”

Police officials have cautioned however, that while residents may not always see such activity, it is going on. And most residents would not like to see gang activities in their backyard.

Angry

Several other residents were clearly unhappy with the news and looking for someone to blame.

“This is ridiculous!” said Frank Owens, a resident of nearby Ashburn. “If it wasn’t for all of those blasted Latinos our neighborhood would have stayed safe.”

Other residents were also quick to point fingers, blaming the recent surge on blacks and newer residents.

However, Claudio Saa, a Herndon Police detective and member of the regional gang task force, said gangs were from “no particular group. Gang members are from all walks of life.”

Sgt. Jerry Keys, also of the Herndon police department added “don’t confuse gangs with simply the immigrant population. There are all kinds of gangs.”

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