Safe Streets Task Force

440 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, Indiana  46204
Telephone: (317) 327-6631
Gang Hotline: (317) 898-GANG (4264)

The mission of the Safe Streets Task Force is to identify and dismantle criminal street gangs within Indianapolis, Marion County. The Task Force conducts investigations that lead to the prosecution of those involved in criminal offenses under local, state, and federal laws. Special emphasis is placed on gangs that commit high impact violent crimes, including, but not limited to, homicide, felonious assault, drug trafficking, extortion, and weapons violations. The Task Force consists of officers, agents, and prosecutors from the: Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigations; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; United States Department of Agriculture; Franklin Police Department; Greenwood Police Department; Johnson County Sheriff's Department; Johnson County Prosecutor's Office; and Marion County Prosecutor's Office. The Task Force also assists agencies throughout the State of Indiana.
What is a Criminal Street Gang?
Indiana State Statute 35-45-9-1 defines a criminal gang as a group with at least five members that specifically: (1) either: (A) promotes, sponsors, or assists in; or (B) participates in; or (2) requires as a condition of membership or continued membership; the commission of a felony or an act that would be a felony if committed by an adult or the offense of battery (IC 35-42-2-1). Currently there is not law against becoming a member of a gang. Gang membership is protected just as membership in the Boy Scouts is protected under federal law. Only when the express purpose of the gang is of a criminal nature can membership be considered against the law.
Gang Structure
	Gangs are organized in many of ways, but most follow the hierarchical structure depicted to the left. At the top are nations which are major organizational networks formed by gang alliances and philosophy. Two major symbols of nations are the five and six pointed stars. Below the nations are the actual gangs. Gangs are large organizations with a specific hierarchy, specific philosophy, and specific purpose or mission. Below the gangs are sets. These are the small local groups formed by individuals based on their particular environment and philosophy.

Graffiti

Gang territory is marked by gang emblems, symbols, or insignia written as graffiti upon public and private property. These markings can range from elaborate paintings to a few words or phrases written with a pen. Most of the time, the graffiti represents the gang name and/or the graffiti perpetrator's gang nickname. Hatred and disrespect for opposing gangs is often expressed by inverting the rival gang's insignia or "crossing it out" (painting over another gang's graffiti).

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