MYRTLE BEACH, SC- The South Carolina Gang Investigator Association is holding its annual training conference this week in Myrtle Beach. The event brings law enforcement agencies together to discuss gang-related activities and trends in the Carolinas.
“A lot of people want to bury their heads and claim that gangs aren’t here, that gangs don’t exist and in this state we’ve been very proactive about it recognizing that they are here and since they are here what can we do about it,” said Special Agent in Charge David Thomas with FBI South Carolina.
Monday’s sessions centered on military gangs and sovereign citizens. According to Thomas, gangs form in a variety of places and for different reasons, so it’s important that law enforcement works as a team.
“If it turns into a drug case, then we’ll turn it over to DEA,” he said. ” If it turns into a gun case, we do that with our ATF partners so it’s all about a partnership.”
Thomas said the FBI focuses on gangs with national and international ties.
“Most of our cases will start in South Carolina and they’ll end up in Mexico, they’ll end up in New York, they’ll end up in LA.”
Gang activity is often associated with crime and violence. A Spokesperson with Horry County Police said gangs have been responsible for murders, armed robberies and drug deals.
There are currently more than 1,500 identified gang members in Horry County and over 45 different gangs. Lt. Joey Crosby with Myrtle Beach Police said the department has a specialized unit that looks for signs.
“Graffiti, various markings or what we call taggings,” said Crosby.
Thomas said know the signs is more important than law enforcement itself.
“You’ll never enforce the problem away. Law enforcement isn’t the answer. It never made the drug problem go away, it never made any other problem go away, usually that starts with education,” stated Thomas.
