Gangs in Birmingham
by Phillip Ohnemus
CBS 42 News
2008-05-05 20:00:00.0
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Graffiti in Birmingham’s Druid Hills community shined a bright light on gang activity in The Magic City. But are gang members really a threat to the residents of Birmingham?
“That night changed my life forever."
Much has been said about Birmingham ranking among the deadliest cities in the country. Carolyn Johnson-Turner knows first-hand how violent The Magic City can be. Her 20-year-old son, Rodreckus, was gunned down as an innocent bystander in 2003.
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"I'm told there was some guys from different neighborhoods were out there fighting until an altercation, pulled out guns and started shooting. Rodreckus was inside his vehicle one of the bullets came through the windshield of his car and struck him and killed him," Carolyn said.
To this day, the gunman has not been identified.
Johnson doesn't know if the fight was gang-related, but, her life's mission is to educate others about violence.
"This gang problem we have, drug problem, it is real."
Or is it?
The Birmingham Police Department admits that more than 50 gang areas have been identified in the Magic City since 2006, many recognizable by heavy amounts of graffiti. Still, the department claims gangs are not a problem in Birmingham.
Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper said, “A city of this size will have gangs. What's positive for us is we are not having any major crime trends from street gangs. We're not having bloods and crips having shoot-outs on the street corner and those type things."
But just because the city isn't attributing its murder rate to gang activity doesn't mean gangs aren't a problem.
One person, who wanted to remain anonymous, told us:
"Just put it like this, you be scared for your life.”
“Because of drugs?”
“Uh huh. And the men selling the drugs. You tell on them, they come after you.”
“You believe this is gang related?”
“Uh huh.”
“What kind of gangs?”
“Drugs! Drug Gangs."
And drugs are often related to other crimes that neighbors say are coming into their homes.
Bubba Phillips of Wylam said, "People goes off to work and they come back and their stereo’s and VCR's and stuff has been stolen, and that's a sign that you gonna have trouble."
The trouble isn't limited to home invasions and drug sales. Gang signs are a constant reminder in some neighborhoods that even if you don't see gang members, they are still here. Some say they know where the gangs are, because they've been there.
“I've been in a gang nearly 27 years. So I have every right to try and get out here and try to reach out to these kids," said Robert Byrd.
Robert Byrd is leading an effort in his community to reach out to the youth and to try and take back the neighborhood. But so far the voices of such efforts are small compared to the draw of brotherhood.
"The young guys getting involved and the older generation is putting them in. If they had any kind of normal sense they'd tell them, okay this is not for you," said Byrd.
But even with the word on the street indicating gangs are a problem in Birmingham; those tasked with keeping the peace aren't convinced.
"We're not having an enforcement issue with gangs. We're not. Sure they're here. We've identified them. And those who have caused us serious problems, we've addressed those problems," said Mike Fisher of the Birmingham Police Department.
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