Hey Yo! Gangs Ain’t Cool / Part 2 of 5
Posted: Wednesday, September 19, 2007
by Judi Lake
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Although based on a true story, all names, dates and places have been changed to protect the innocent.
Startled, I awoke to the sudden ring of the telephone. Groggy, with eyes still shut, I answered the phone.
“Hello?"
“Listen you @%!#%, you best leave my grandboy alone, do you hear me? I don’t need you fillin’ that boy with no superhero nonsense!"
Click. The next thing heard was the dial tone. The hysterical, screaming woman had hung up.
Wondering what time it was, I quickly rolled over and glanced at the clock. 5:30 AM! Wide-awake and angry, I gazed towards my husband who was sound asleep and snoring. “How can he sleep through all of this," I thought to myself. Frustrated, I hit him with the pillow and headed for the kitchen to make a pot of coffee.
An hour later, Gary entered the kitchen and was dumbfounded to find me “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed."
“What’s this?" he asked as he leaned over to kiss me.
Emotionally drained, I replied, “That woman is going to make things hard for Chris, Gar’, I just know it! She called early this morning and told me, or rather screamed at me, to leave him alone."
“Well, she is the grandmother, Judi."
“Yeah, well, an alcoholic grandmother who only cares about the checks she receives every month to care for Chris!"
As he poured a cup of coffee, he pulled out the chair beside me. After a few seconds of silence, he lovingly looked at me and said, “Judi, you can’t be the savior of the world."
“I’m not trying to be, Gary. But I also can’t turn my back on this kid either, can I?"
It was 9:00 am by the time I returned home from taking Laura to school. The hour-long commute provided the opportunity to thoughtfully examine the circumstances. Arriving at my office, I rescheduled my workload for later in the week and headed straight for the phone.
“Helen, I am so glad I caught you. Look, I need a favor."
“Judi? What? Is anything wrong?"
“No, well, yes! Do you remember that Floyd boy, Chris?"
“Yes, unfortunately, I do. What a sa—“
“Yes it is, Helen, and right now he’s sitting his butt in the Steed County Detention Center awaiting charges for armed robbery."
“Well, Judi, unfortunately that happens."
“I know it happens, Helen, but —"
“OK, Miss Judi , where’re you heading with this?"
“Helen, can you arrange some surprise visits from DSS? Surely he’s got to have some sane relative other than his grandmother to be his guardian."
“Judi, we’ve already been there — she knows how to play the system ."
“Ple-e-ease, try again! As long as that woman is his guardian, he will never have a chance to better himself."
“Dang, Judi! OK, I will try to pull a few strings but I cannot promise anything."
“Helen, one more thing."
“Ye-assss’m?"
“Who’s the head of the Street Crime Division of Steed County?"
“Oh, boy… I’m not even going to ask. His name is Sergeant Callahan. Sergeant Thomas A. Callahan. ‘got a real heart for the kids, Judi. You two ought to get along just fine."
With a sarcastic snicker, I hung up with Helen and immediately called the Detention Center. Aware that Chris’ grandmother would try to block further visits from me, I asked if they would forward a note of explanation to the boy. Conscious of Chris’ vulnerability, my biggest concern was in maintaining the trust established and in not breaking any promises with him.
Next in line to contact was Sergeant Callahan. While on hold, my mind wandered back to my last visit with Chris and his dream of becoming a pilot. I was haunted by this boy and knew his attraction to gangs was only a symptom of his problem. I whole-heartedly believed that his unstable home-life was the root of his problems and perhaps such was the case with most of these kids.
Deep in thought, I was interrupted by the voice on the other end of the phone.
“Sergeant Callahan speaking. Can I help you?"
“Oh, yes, Sergeant, I hope so. I understand that you are the head of Steed County’s Street Crime Division?"
I then explained to the Sergeant my experience with Chris and that a new gang was forming in the Bottoms. Before the Sergeant could respond, I impulsively asked him if it were possible to meet for an interview. Graciously, he agreed to meet within two hours.
Upon entering the Detention Center, I was immediately informed that the use of any recording devises or cameras was not allowed. Determined and eager for an education, I agreed.
According to Sergeant Callahan, the Street Crime Division had been effective since May of 2006 and since then it has been discovered that Steed County was infested with gang members of all types. The most dangerous of all, the MS-13s were situated in Paving, the very town that I live in.
“Sir, do you have any stats to give me concerning gangs in Steed County?"
“Offhand, Mrs. Lake, I have few. I can, however, tell you that in 2006 there were approximately 50 different gangs attributing to over 17,000 gang affiliated crimes in this county alone."
“Sergeant, at what age do you see children joining gangs in our area?"
“Our records indicate that the gangs are moving into the elementary schools recruiting kids as young as 7 years of age."
During our interview, he shared dozens of his personal gang related experiences. He confided his frustration to me about the community’s leaders, schools and parents disregard to gang activity and crime prevention.
As our interview was coming to a close, I introduced Sergeant Callahan to Gangbuster . I handed him the press kit and a few comic books to review. I went on to explain that Gangbuster was backed by the Boynton Beach Police Department in Palm Beach County, Florida with great success.
According to Boynton Beach Police, Gangbuster has been instrumental in the prevention of young kids joining gangs and that it may prove successful in Steed County as well. Paging through the press kit, he requested a follow-up meeting with me.
At that moment, my cell phone rang. On the other end was a frantic Helen, “Hey, girlfriend, brace yourself. Chris’ grandmother just obtained a restraining order against you. You are not allowed any contact with that child whatsoever…."
Watch how events unfold in part 3 of this series. To find out more about Gangbuster visit: http://www.gangbustercomics.com/
©2007 Judi Lake. All Rights Reserved Worldwide
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)aye yaye aye, you are a true trooper for the right cause judi. this chris asked to be into this circumstance for a reason, if the concept is true that we pick our parents. he could do great things with a little help from miss judi. thank you, and a good article, best regards, sue thomSue, unfortunately, although names and places have been changes, this is a true story that is unfolding as I am writing it. My passion has and always will be for the kids - hey, they're our future and, like I say often, too many are "parenting themselves." Thanks for your comments, sweet Sue!
you were worried about disappointing us with your part 2 and i will tell you that you definately did not. you are a story teller with a gift that touches us.Oh, Anon, and you touched me deeply. Unfortunately, Anon, this is not my story; it is the kids story. Thank you for your kind comments!
Judi, this is great. This is a very compelling story about a frightening situation. I live in Texas and although getting better, the gangs are like a cancer. I am interested in learning about Gangbusters.Hi Debbie. Before I had met my husband, he lived in your "neck of the woods" (Fort Worth) for 15 years and actually relocated because of the gang related problems. If you are interested in learning about Gangbuster, feel free to go to their website listed at bottom of article. Thank you for your kind comments!
Well Judi a excellent article on a timely topic. Based on a true event it brings even more weight to the article. As a Substutute teacher I have found many who do not want to accept the fact that "gangs exist" even in the best of neighborhoods. Now being involved with youth there are many reasons that play into this. Of course accepting the fact that our society is in turmoil, that the economy, broken homes and yes, even in some cases ecessive wealth all play a part needs to be brought out into the open. I have worked with youth from middle income neighborhoods and have parents say, no not mine, and all the while their child was out doing the gang thing. Good work as usual. Mr. MelaccioHi Robert. Sad to say, this is a true story that I really don't know how will end. Although this story concentrates more on the low income situation, since my dad was a cop, I am aware of the many problems within the more upscale families. I don't think the kids are bad, Robert, but rather looking for something they ain't getting at home -- of course there are some who just join for peer pressure but in our times, rich or poor, too many kids are "parenting themselves." I applaud you for having had taken the time to work within youth minstries; that is important! Thanks for taking the time to comment, Robert!
Judy, this is a great pice of work! An excellent handling on a timely topic! Just one question, do you ever get to see that boy again?Bernie, because of the subject matter, I am not sure if I am comfortable with compliments only because of the content and truth; but I sincerely thank you! As far as your question, you will just have to wait because even I don't know how this will end! Wishing you a great weekend!
Judy, when I got out of the service in 1969 I had a deep respect for those who tried to help the young through the system. Only I believed in getting to the root of the problem. You say in your article that the family (in this case the grandmother) of this young man was the root of the problem. I disagree for I don’t only look at the child but also the parent or grandparent. What do you do to help them just throw them behind bars? Their problem is the same as their children. The root of the problem is the system itself. I’m not well adjusted to our sick society are you? If you cut a weed from a garden it will continue to grow. You must pull the weed out altogether, roots and all then it will cease to grow. ( the weed being those in control) However I suppose you and others like you are doing the best you can with what you have. Just thought I’d throw my personal thoughts into the matter. Good luck in your efforts.
Wow! Excellent and compelling. How long until Part 3?
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