What is a ‘validated’ gang member?
Police use a standardized point system to evaluate whether a person is a validated gang member, awarding points for various indicators of gang membership, like gang tattoos, throwing gang signs in photos on social media, and self-profession of gang membership. Validated gang members tally more points than known associates.
About 45 validated gang members may soon be prohibited from specific activities in a public safety zone that authorities have mapped out in East Lake.
At a press conference this morning, Hamilton County District Attorney General Neal Pinkston announced his plan to enforce a civil injunction on two prominent gangs – the Gangster Disciples and Grape Street Crips – alongside several law enforcement partners.
An injunction is an order from judge. And in this case, it’s asking to prohibit the gang members from doing 10 or 12 activities, most of which are already illegal, Pinkston said.
Otherwise, law enforcement can approach them, arrest them, and levy a possible 30-day jail sentence and fine on them.