Fort Wainwright officials decry gang-related Fairbanks crimes
Published Sunday, August 31, 2008
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Stumble It!FAIRBANKS — Fort Wainwright officials said last week that they will not tolerate gang activity on base or from soldiers.
The Fairbanks community was stunned a little more than two weeks ago by a shooting incident on College Road that involved rival gangs, the Crips and the Bloods. Even more surprising was that two of the men involved in the incident are Fort Wainwright soldiers.
Though neither of the soldiers have been charged with any wrongdoing, commanders have restricted both of them to the base.
“Fort Wainwright law enforcement agencies are taking aggressive action to curb any possible gang activity and prevent gang enablers from exiting or entering the installation,” said the director of emergency services, Sgt. Major Maurice Fischer.
The Army has not investigated any other gang-related crimes or crimes on base recently, and there is no indication of gang activity at Fort Wainwright either, Col. Timothy A Jones, Fort Wainwright garrison commander wrote in an e-mail.
Army regulations prohibit soldiers from being involved in gangs.
“Our relationship with the civilian law enforcement agencies is very good,” Jones said. “Fort Wainwright law enforcement agencies will continue to work closely with the Fairbanks police, as we have in the past. We will cooperate with FPD in any way possible.”
So far, only one man, a 21-year-old who is not a Fort Wainwright soldier, has been charged in connection with the Aug. 15 shooting. Fairbanks police Lt. Dan Welborn said investigators are still gathering evidence on the case, and a second man suspected of being involved in the shooting could be indicted this week.
Community Discussion
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ha, So now everyone can shut their mouths.
Puh-leeaz. Gangs have been a part of a military problem since the early 90's. The military doesn't know how to handle it other than knee jerk reactions. They need to aggressively investigate their "problem". I admit, only 20% of their "problem" came from the base but those of us who live and have lived there know...I'm sorry but the military wives in the forum are putting their heads in the sand on this one. I saw it in Las Vegas, I saw in Anchorage, now I'm seeing it here. I respect our soldiers for putting their lives on the line for us but the use of the military to gain "plus points" for the gangs has GOT to end. How many crosses cascading from the eyes of gang members from Fairbanks are WE going to tolerate? You know what I'm talking about. It probably could have been a few from the shootout on Airport Way, for you see, they don't care. A baby in a carseat is a cross that is tatooed on the face. It means you killed someone for the gang. It doesn't matter who, it just matters that you killed, no more than a moose or a bear, a partimigan or anything else that we take for subsistance. IT DOESN'T MATTER. A kill is a kill. It is a tattoo of a cross. Wake up. Smell the stench. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Don't let this take Alaska away from us.
Gangs change your ways! Our land is not for you. If you could provide in our great creator-GOD and toward our children then there may be a place for you.
"Who are they trying to [redacted]?
They are having such a hard time getting recruits they are taking them right out of LA County. And have been for a long time.
dog
I would like to thank all of the military for being proactive in our commiunity. Jointly addressing our gang activity & preventing gang enablers is the only way to help connect the turns and twists from all angles, views, strengths, weaknesses. Kinda like untangling the cords of our hammock that has only a few thin strands of twine or thin rope tied to a old oak tree with solid roots after a storm. A network of twine or thin rope which the strength is in the the turns and twists to connect and bind together.
To me, our Gangs and our Hammocks all work the same or unravel the same, a strand at a time.
One of the reasons that gangs (hammocks) grew in popularity in our commiunity (New World) was because of their ability to provide safety. By being supported (suspended), bangers (sleepers) were better protected from snakes and other harmful creatures of other peers. It also allows bangers (people) to avoid snitches(water), jail(dirt), and other deadly (unsanitary) conditions.
Our whole commiunity needs to join together and unravel gangs a strand or two at a time till they begin to unravel on thier own protected elements. Reverse the process dissociate, separate. A youth or two joins a gang over a length of time. The reverse the process unravel gangs. The breadth of a gang is the leaders between its followers, its controlling extent is measured from peer to peer. Like knots tied with multiple distinct identities or personalities, each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment.
Sgt. Major Maurice Fischer:
“to curb any possible gang activity and prevent gang enablers from exiting or entering the installation,” said the director of emergency services, Sgt. Major Maurice Fischer.
diogenesFBKS
"They are having such a hard time getting recruits they are taking them right out of LA County. And have been for a long time."
dog you are so wrong or naive. Your theory lacks perceptions or knowledge of Cali gangs or Cali or of RICO. RICO presentation in Cali, be it LA Co, San Berdo Co., R.C., O.C., S.D.C., or S.M.C. courts is true realism to known bangers, "rollers", "vatos" (gang members). No "known" "busted" "arrested" "slammed" banger in LA Co. or any other county in Cali. can enter the military, Cali uses the RICO act on gangs. RICO adds prison time and cancels any military service. Don't blame any single group, no other city, no installation, no other location but "our" own community.
The sooner we all realize that 99.9999% of us are guilty of neglect of our community, our schools, our support services, our citizens, our children, our families, ourselves, our safety. Or we would not be discussing gangs, we would be discussing us and how we are willing to help. To solve any problem it requires someone willing to try till you succeed. But to solve a community problem it takes a community willing to try till we succeed.
Not good enough-restricted to base is insufficient. This is not a case of someone wearing their hair too long or having a few extra pets in violation of military rules that are only there because well, it's the military. It does not matter if they have not been charged with a crime. If they are gang members, why are they allowed to remain in the military, carry arms and be a threat to society? The military can impose punishment and it should--"you're grounded" is not enough for adults who are gang members. Meanwhile our federal taxes are paying for three squares and a cot for these idiots!
theabowman, you are right about the fact they should not remain in the military, but at least they are not still on the streets like the others, where the community is still in harms way. Be grateful that the 2 soldiers are off the streets. So the next time there is gang activity, the military won't be involved and the fingers will be pointed back at you as a whole instead of the military as a whole.
The gangs have been using the military to train their new recruits. All you have to do is lie, if gang activity does not show up on the background check what can the military do until they see a problem? Gangs are getting more and more organized and they are using the resources that are already out there to train their own soldiers. That old saying about one bad apple spoiling the whole bunch is really just a perception, the majority of our military families out on Ft WW will not tolerate this on their base any more than they would on the street their mom lives on.
Let's see TWO were military and they are restricted to post which means they WON"T be out there causing trouble now (I agree these two retards should be kicked out) but what about the LOCALS who were involved?(hmmmm) It seems a FEW of the fairbanks community have THEIR own heads up their keisters because they repeatedly ignore or refuse to admit that the other eight (among many more I'm sure) were their OWN and ARE infact still on the streets or given a slap on the wrist then released. Its amusing how they choose to point fingers at the military trying to direct the attention away from their own backyard.LOL
If you don't like the military presence then MOVE because like it or not we're here to stay.:) Maybe Russia will welcome you but I doubt it.LOL
As for the ridiculous comment that suggested the military gets gang recruits from LA. It shows their ignorance of military policies. The military does NOT knowingly recruit these scum bags.
If fairbanks didn't have such a hunger for drugs within the ranks perhaps they wouldn't be here in the first place.:)
I for one believe that the only way to deal with the issue is for the civillian and military to work together as each article has implied that it is and find a solution together.:)
This whole 'restricted to base' punishment is a joke. How hard would it be for these guys to get a ride off base? Sure, they check I.Ds on the entering traffic, but the exit is free flowing. And when they wanted to get back on base, all they would have to do is jump in a trunk or duck down in the back of an SUV. What the army neeeds to do is discharge them and send these guys back to where they came from. According to the DNM, "Army regulations prohibit soldiers from being involved in gangs." so how can they justify these guys (who they know are gang members) getting a slap on the hands?
Do you think that the soldiers being restricted to post is the end of their punishment? They can't just kick someone out of the military without an investigation. If they are found to be gang members they will be booted. Give the military a chance to make it happen.
P_Davenport, so what is your plan? details please; tell us all exactly what needs to happen to get rid of the gangs in Fairbanks.
"Be proactive" and "Keep track of your kids" and all that other liberal crap doesnt cut it; give us a step by step approach that leads to quiet streets...so please tell us; what exactly should we try and try again till we succeed?
The soldiers involve with the Gang activity should be transfered out of state, if not to the front line as a rule to our community,if your involve with any Gang activity your out of Alaska.
I think the military should consider MOVING single
soldiers down to Fort Greely and away from a populated
area, like Fairbanks.
If they can't abide by the Army Code of Conduct
and behave like animals, then isolate these
social pathogens and keep them from the public.
Instead; of giving these animals a hunting ground, where
descent people work and play. And only allow married
people to live on Fort Wainwright. The mother hen will
keep them in line and their family obligations. If you
give them a playground to play in, they will revert to
gang activities, that is all they know how to do.
And you have to ask yourself, where was the Base Pastor?
Why hasn't the church taken a more active role in
controlling gang activities? I'm sure the pastor of St John
Baptist Church would straighten they out, if given the resources.
CC: JCS
The two soldiers have baby sitters so to speak to make sure they remain on post unlike the ccivillian gang members who were set free to do as they please.
I think the two soldiers should be kicked out of the military (or used as cannon fodder) and returned to the civillian community they came from.
In the end putting a band aid on the problem and crying that its someone else's fault doesn't solve the issue in your own community. I'm glad that the military and civillian personnel are working together in trying to nip this in the bud.:)
burke.
Your planned is flawed.:)
There were ONLY 2 soldiers involved NOT the entire single soldier body. I don't see how putting ALL of the single soldiers out on fort greely will solve fairbanks issues with its own gang bangers who were in the majority according to every article published about the incident.
I for one lived on fort greely for 3 years and LOVED it.:) I don't think they'd find it as a punishment either.LOL
WOW Burke, That is the most ignorant post on this page. How dumb is is to say that all single Soldier's should be moved away. I agree that they should be dealt with, and I believe they will, it takes time for Soldier's to get booted, the military has a system they must follow it. But, this sort of "tragedy" with gangs is coming to light more since it involved 2 soldiers in the recent weeks. Not saying that people didn't know there was a rising gang population but what about the other crimes here in the city that are still happening at an alarming rate such as DUI's? These happen each and every day causing more time and pain for families affected. I agree that the gang problem should be dealt with. But what should the penalty be for someone that gets a DUI? Convicted of using/selling drugs? These people are still on the streets and, if you think about it, cause a way bigger problem for law enforcement than some wannabe gang here in the city? What do you do with those that fail to register? Those that steal? Those that abuse children? Those that commit domestic violence? Where do we send these people? I believe that all those involve will be dealt with. And I believe that once the military does their investigation of their 2 involved, they will lose more than the citizens here in fairbanks. At least these 2 will be kicked out and sent back to where they came from and find it alot harder to gain employment. And they still have the risk of spending time in jail itf the military sees fit to do that. But those here in fairbanks, what do they really lose? Maybe a day in court and possibly a fine? A little time at the Jail.
bowman - Your post again shows how little you know about the military process and how narrow of a thought process you have.
1. The military will charge or chapter the soldiers AFTER the investigation is complete. I'll have to assume that if FPD charges you with something, we should kick you out of the state prior to the investigation being complete? I'm relatively certain you would be up-in-arms if it was you.
2. These are 2 of the group. W.V. was shut down for a kid bringing a gun into the school. Parents of an admitted "gang" member went to court to ensure this wonderful child could play football for another school. You had no problem with that?
Point at the military only if it makes you feel better BUT this will not change the problem. It takes community effort to fix a community problem. Keep being narrow minded and just watch the problem remain or grow. This will take the community, military, Law Enforcement and a LOT of parental involvement. I do not mean parental involvement where we go to court to sue a non-profit organization so a little gang banger wanna-be can play football either.
DenaliGuy
"details please; tell us all exactly what needs to happen to get rid of the gangs in Fairbanks."
how we can learn to help by calling and asking:
"details please; tell us all exactly what needs to happen to get rid of the gangs in Fairbanks."
Contact:
our community - contact all office holders, tell them you want to be involved, than get involved, Council meetings, Borough meetings, etc.
our schools - contact all office holders see where they need volunteers, attend school funtions, PTA, even if you don't have a child in school. Consider year round schools at middle and senior high schools, to limit contact of known groups. You'll get fewer students on the streets at the same time. Fewer together is easier to manage.
our support services - contact all office holders see where they need help such as, Police, Volunteers in Police, Youth Court, then get involved
our citizens - join neighborhood watch or set 1 up, back "Say No To Drugs", Jr. Police, 4H, etc., get other youth oriented educational programs.
our children - set rules, enforce rules
our families - get your families involved as a family
ourselves - get involved on any level you can to set example
our safety - contact all to see how you can get involved
If everyone as a community, did 2 hours or more a week the problems in our community would reduce drastily, to enable us to succeed rapidly. If everyone as a community worked as a community the problems in our community would be addressed.
Complaining doesn't get a thing done.
Volunteering in our community does.
Involvement in our community does.
If everyone as a community, neglects our community, our schools, our support services, our citizens, our children, our families, ourselves, our safety; crime is the result of neglect & abuse of our children, our families, ourselves, our community.
Alaska's death rates of our youth:
children ages 1-14 — the second-highest in the country
teen ages 15-19 — the highest in the country
Idle hands are the devil's workshop
An idle mind is the devil's playground
Turn over a new leaf.
A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link.
Although we may be strong, we are only as strong as our weakest link; our children.
It's expensive and costly in many community ways if you forget to close the barn door first.
DenaliGuy
"details please; tell us all exactly what needs to happen to get rid of the gangs in Fairbanks."
Here's some stories that relate:
Gang shootings dubbed a wake-up call for Fairbanks
OJT
West Valley High School locked down after gun found in locker
Fairbanks police may have found car used in gang shooting
Police ask for public’s help in shooting investigation
Act on gangs
Fairbanks police investigating gang-related shooting
On those links I have posted links for Anchorage gang Detail site (works with ours), State of Ak, The FBI site, The White House, Police programs, G.R.E.A.T., plus more all relating to gangs, crime, our children.
Our community culture or gang culture you choose.
Association Brings Assimilation
Association
1. an organization of people with a common purpose & having a formal structure.
2. the act of associating or state of being associated.
3. friendship; companionship.
4. connection or combination.
5. the connection or relation of ideas, feelings, sensations, etc.; correlation of elements of perception, reasoning, or the like.
6. an idea, image, feeling, etc., suggested by or connected with something other than itself; an accompanying thought, emotion, or the like; an overtone or connotation
Brings
1 a: to convey, lead, carry, or cause to come along with one toward the place from which the action is being regarded
b: to cause to be, act, or move in a special way: as
(1): attract
(2): persuade, induce
(3): force, compel
(4): to cause to come into a particular state or condition
a: escort, accompany
d: to bear as an attribute or characteristic
2: to cause to exist or occur: as
a: to be the occasion of
b: to result in
c: institutes
Assimilation
Assimilation (linguistics), a linguistic process by which a sound becomes similar to an adjacent sound
Cultural assimilation (often called merely assimilation), the process whereby a minority group gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture Language shift or language assimilation, the progressive process whereby a speech community of a language shifts to speaking another language Gangization (of Americans), cultural assimilation of Americans in the United States
Association Brings Assimilation is the choice of :
"Us" or "gangs", "crimes", "substances"
Education for our community & action by our community so we don't lose our "weakest links" our children. We owe our "weakest links"; our children to be there for them. It's not liberal crap.
Liberal crap is allowing it to happen in our community in the first place. I'm not a liberal, I'm a outspoken child & community advocate & volunteer that detest blaming the children when "We" are the adults that fail the children. Decide what direction you'll help.
Consider these at middle & high schools, school police on campus, year round schools to cut down on how many children are out of school at once. Consider strong education & more police.
"Though neither of the soldiers have been charged with any wrongdoing, commanders have restricted both of them to the base." They need to be in jail sooner than later; is this more of the Military protecting their own? BS- FPD - you need to start cleaning house around this town and open your eyes more please. We need to know what to do to stay safe so thanks P_Davenport for all your information too! You should turn your post into a Community Perspective...God knows Dermot is too infactuated with ruining Sarah Palin with his "fact-based" pot shots!
P_Davenport - I agree with you but would like clarification.
"I'm not a liberal, I'm a outspoken child & community advocate & volunteer that detest blaming the children when "We" are the adults that fail the children."
I'm a believer that the "children" should be held accountable as well as the parents. Parents should be the ones doing this, but in too many instances that is not the case. I absolutely love your comments above, but would like clarification. My wife and I volunteer at school and for youth sports. If our kids make a mistake (intentionally or not) they should be held accountable for their actions, and we should be held accountable as well. These teenage children are making bad decisions and some parents are allowing it - even worse, some are facilitating it by taking no action at all or taking actions that appear to condone it. The children will never change if they are not held to a standard. Agree or Disagree?
If the military isn't seeing any signs of gang activity, they might want to consider monitoring network traffic.
I think Fairbanks *might* have a task force of 2 for gang crimes/monitoring, if that. Might just be leaving it to the Feds in town; any LE out there want to chime in?
akracefan
P_Davenport - I agree with you but would like clarification.
The some parents/family/adults will never change if they are not held to a standard first by the schools, the police & our community & our courts.
Neither will children change if they are not held to a standard by the parents/family/adults & the police & our community & our courts.
I Agree 100% with:
"My wife and I volunteer at school & for youth sports. If our kids make a mistake (intentionally or not) they should be held accountable for their actions, & we should be held accountable as well." akracefan
You are the example to follow.
I Agree 100% with parents first children second :
We need to make parents/family/adults accountable first, the "children" second. Parents are the adults not the "children".
I Agree 100% with:
"These teenage children are making bad decisions and some parents/family/adults are allowing it - even worse, some are facilitating it by taking no action at all or taking actions that appear to condone it. The children will never change if they are not held to a standard."
Till we hold parents/family/adults accountable that have the care of the "children" it's insane to try to stop the "children". Yes you may get a few to listen without holding parenting adults accountable. Here's a recent example: Wasilla couple acquitted of most charges in child abuse case
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 These "grandparents" & "parents" is examples of abuse & neglect. Look at their sentences?? No explaination of where the children are or were they returned to it. This is just a recent published example. Here's another common example to relate to. Have you ever attended a party, picnic or function where parents/family/adults wasn't even involved with the children, or by the children. And the children are all over the place, doing as their peer's interests are or their own interest. Or just drop the children off and leave to return later. The one that really gets me is a "child's" party and the parents/family/adults are drinking and having a separate party.
I've seen school districts that charge the parents/family/adults "fines" for lack of homework done at home, to delinquent school attendance, enforced by courts. To force parents/family/adults to be involved with their "children".
Our standards of our community, reflects on us just like our own parenting skills reflect on our own "children". Sometimes it takes a bite out of parent's/family's/adult's cash flow to get their attention. Parents/family/adults who see their "child/children" is going down the wrong path should be strongly supported when the adults seek outside the home help. But often aren't. Money gets people's attention if talking doesn't work.
Does this help in my clarification. If not please let me know.
I'm a outspoken child & community advocate & volunteer that detest blaming the children when "We" are the parents/family/adults that fail the children."
lonewolf sez:
"If you don't like the military presence then MOVE because like it or not we're here to stay.:) Maybe Russia will welcome you but I doubt it.LOL
As for the ridiculous comment that suggested the military gets gang recruits from LA. It shows their ignorance of military policies. The military does NOT knowingly recruit these scum bags."
I see why you are in the military, lonewolf; you'd have a tough time in the real world with a mind like you got.;-)
Anyhow, as far as you staying around and the locals having to suffer you and your ilk, think again. Stevens is done for. Without him, Wainwright will be on the next base closure bill and one of the 'winners'. Bye.
What does military policy have to do with recruiters filling their quotients, Buckwheat? Are you aware that people lie, cheat, omit, forge, cut deals, etc?
Nothing changes Buck, it has been this way for ages only worse now since the draft ended. Recruiter has pressure on him, state has punks they don't wont to house, army gets the punks, state doesn't have to house them. A few lies on paper and some misplaced court records is all it takes and you got a new soldier. Good deal for everybody except the community the punk is stationed at.
P-davenport and AKracefan; you are both right, outstanding posts from both of you. It's not just a military problem and if I insinuated that from my previous post, I apologize. Military wives have enough on their hands being single parents while their men are putting their lives on the line for our freedoms, even the freedom of the "gangsta's" in our midsts. The right to gather in groups and express ourselves is protected by their men (and women) and that should never be overlooked. The problem is NOT just a military problem and the military is an easy target for finger pointing. It is OUR problem, a community problem and as much as a few don't like the military here, guess what...they're here to stay.
diogneses FBKS
The real world?LOL
The military faces the REAL world every day whether fighting the wars in Iraq or Afghanastan or on peace keeping missions etc. Military families travel the world as well experiencing different cultures and enjoying the sights many don't have the luxury of visiting.:) We don't HIDE in our home towns or communities like the FEW who find it easy to acuse the military for all of their woes and remark in ignorance that the military is hiding from the REAL WORLD.(PLEASE)LOL
If you had read all of the comments you would've noticed that someone accused the military of purposely recruiting soldiers from LA gangs so I meerely replied that recruiters don't deliberatly recruit these scum bag gang bangers.
As for what happens IF Ted Stevens doesn't make office this time I SERIOUSLY doubt that will effect fort wainwright or any other base in this state. Deal with it.ROFL
akracefan 8/31/2008, 3:49 p.m.
P_Davenport - I agree with you but would like clarification.
"I'm not a liberal, I'm a outspoken child & community advocate & volunteer that detest blaming the children when "We" are the adults that fail the children."
akracefan I need to apologize to you. I really didn't answer your question to clearly. Below is a post from DenaliGuy where he implied my views was: "Be proactive" and "Keep track of your kids" and all that other liberal crap doesnt cut it;" ..... So I clarified with... "I'm not a liberal, I'm a outspoken child & community advocate & volunteer." Being liberal or not is not the issue to me, you are, our community, our children are; you and yours matter to me, you enrich my life, or endanger it.. To me it's simple, be here for each other, support each other, care for each other, have empathy for each other. I really can't be expected to catch a salmon without a pole, line, hook, bait, or net, or bring home a moose or bear without a gun, bullets, scope, knife; how can one expect to reach our children without the basics and not fail. You can't achieve any of those without the basics. Politics are only a part of those 3 examples due to laws in our community.
"DenaliGuy 8/31/2008, 10:39 a.m.
P_Davenport, so what is your plan? details please; tell us all exactly what needs to happen to get rid of the gangs in Fairbanks.
"Be proactive" and "Keep track of your kids" and all that other liberal crap doesnt cut it; give us a step by step approach that leads to quiet streets...so please tell us; what exactly should we try and try again till we succeed?"
I apologize again for confusing anyone with my use of the word liberal in my answer to DenaliGuy 8/31/2008, 10:39 a.m..
akracefan 8/31/2008, 3:49 p.m. Thank you
Guamalaskan 8/31/2008, 7:09 p.m. Thank you
Thank you, Col. Timothy A Jones, Fort Wainwright garrison commander
P_Davenport -
I wholeheartedly agree that you should rewrite your recommendations and submit as a community perspective...
It is some of the most practical stuff I have seen on here and wholly more practical than the drivel Dermot has been pushing as of late
I will be looking into the Neighborhood Watch in my area as my last stint of volunteerism has ended....
Thanks for your perspective - wish the DNM would concentrate on this stuff instead of Blogs about Palin....
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