Rumors have been running rampant Friday that gangs are conducting initiation rites this weekend and may kill people who flash their headlights at other cars.
Salt Lake police say the rumor is false, but because the rumor is so widespread through-out the country, they are still warning the public to take precautions."It's a total hoax," said Salt Lake Police Lt. Jim Bell, who had been fielding calls from concerned citizens all morning Friday. "This rumor was perpetrated when a citizen sent another citizen a fax as a prank."
Police in Sacramento and San Bernadino, Calif. - where the rumor apparently began - have also been busy trying to dispel the rumor. Press organizations, police departments and other businesses have been receiving faxes warning that Saturday and Sunday are "Blood Initiation Weekend" across the nation.
Such faxes were also received Friday at a hospital and school in American Fork, as well as at least three Salt Lake radio stations.
Potential gang members, according to the faxed reports, are supposed to drive around with their lights off. To be accepted into a gang, these drivers are supposed to shoot and kill everyone in the first car that does a courtesy flash to warn them that their lights are off.
But while the rumor started as a hoax, police are still warning that people should not flash their lights on other cars to let them know their lights are off or on.
"We want to still caution the citizens because some little gangster will pick up on this and think it's a good idea," Bell said.