FBI partnership important in cracking down on gangs

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - After a couple of gang-related shootings in Fort Wayne, NewsChannel 15 wanted to investigate what the Fort Wayne Police Department's doing to fight back.

We first told you about the shooting on Gaywood Drive Thursday . Police have classified it as gang-related. A man and a three-year-old both hurt.  Another man back in May was killed too.  Police said that shooting is also gang-related.

Fort Wayne Police Department spokesperson Raquel Foster said detectives have a clear focus to handle crimes like this.

"We are trying to identify the suspect, make an apprehension, prosecute, and sentence, remove those individuals off the streets so they can no longer continue to terrorize the streets of Fort Wayne," Foster said.

Foster said for years, Fort Wayne has had two main gangs or organizations.

"We do see the conflict over the narcotics, over weapons, firearms, over money, and interestingly enough over disrespect."

The gangs sometimes dissolve then come back two to three years later.

"Sometimes we will identify key members in these organizations. They might be incarcerated for a short period of time so that group or that organization becomes inactive. They might reorganize, re-surface under a different name and become active again."

Foster said that's the case because there's always someone willing to take their place.

The Fort Wayne Police Department has a special partnership with the FBI.

"With out partnership with the FBI for example with the safe streets task force we can levy federal charges on suspects or accomplices that are involved in criminal gang activity. That's important because you're looking at stiffer and lengthier sentences."

If you have children, Foster said you need to talk with them about gangs. Often times, they're out recruiting our young ones to join their organizations.

If you see anything suspicious or witness a crime, remember to call police.