Lt. Tim Doubt of the Salt Lake City Police Department's Gang Unit demonstrated the differences between tagging and gang graffiti during the Greater Avenues Community Council meeting Jan. 4 held at Sweet Library at 9th Avenue and F Street.
Doubt explained that the two types of markings have distinct characteristics and brought a presentation to help demonstrate the differences between them. Tagging is represented by bubble letters, stylized lettering, drawing, multiple paint colors and has a more artistic feel.
"Taggers are usually not violent but just want their 'art' seen," he said.
Gang graffiti often has cross outs, profanity, numbers, backwards letters and, many times, initials of the gang or gang member who made the markings. While it can be a means of declaring territory, Doubt said most gangs in Utah are not really the turf-style gangs like those seen in California.
Doubt showed residents pictures of gang graffiti and tagging and asked them to identify which was which based on information from his presentation. As he went through the pictures, he also pointed out specific elements in the markings such as the number 801, which indicates the gang is from Utah, the number 13, a specific gang's symbol, and the tagger's initials which were often included in the markings.
Residents were strongly encouraged to report any tagging to police on their gang hotline at 972-7885 so it could be removed as soon as possible. Getting rid of tagging quickly helps discourage those who do it, Doubt said.
Sgt. Isaac Atencio of the Salt Lake City Police Department Gangs unit explained what the police force is doing to fight against gang activity. He said violent gang crimes are down 34 percent from 2004 and gang property crimes have also fallen 47 percent from 2004 to 2005.
Atencio said the police force's strategy to suppress area gangs is through long-term incarceration of hard-core gang offenders. The gang unit of the police force has identified and tracked the three most violent gangs in Salt Lake City. Making a list of the top leaders of each gang and incarcerating them, adding more to the list as each is arrested, has really cut down on gang activity, Atencio said.
Doubt concluded by giving residents appropriate contact numbers for gang-related concerns besides the graffiti removal hotline: dial 911 for gang-related emergencies, 799-3000 to report non-emergency crimes and 799-4114 and leave a message to speak with detectives on the police gang unit.
E-mail: twalquist@desnews.com