Gangs in TN and the rural areas? (Memphis, Knoxville: live, law)

[Leonard64]

Originally Posted by dad2paisley

Just another question. Does TN have any real gang problems in the rural areas? Where we live near Baltimore, we have so many gangs and gang related murders and shootings, drug violence. Even in the county where I live we have lots of them. It seems they have taken over the area the past few years. Never use to be like this in my area. Seems that the police can't even help.

Big city problem where ever you are. Rural TN, the biggest "gang" I have seen are the older residents gathered at Hardees for breakfast. Don't take their booth or the last order of biscuits and gravy.

[Sean_CLT]

I'd have to say that overall when I travel in rural TN, there is less "gang scrawl" grafitti on the signs and walls than I see in NC. Either people don't put up with it and paint it over, or the kids aren't as into defacing property. I assume NC gets more influence from of gangs relocating up and down I-95, spreading their credo and habits.

[2mares]

Originally Posted by Leonard64

Big city problem where ever you are. Rural TN, the biggest "gang" I have seen are the older residents gathered at Hardees for breakfast. Don't take their booth or the last order of biscuits and gravy.

That would be infamous deadpecker gang. They are state wide!

[Beretta]

There's another gang that I hesitate to even mention. They are pretty bad and pretty much statewide. They are the cow tipper gang. If you come across one run for your life!

[RichRollin]

I think the biggest small town gangs in Tennessee are the money embezzling politicians and in some towns the police. There are KKK in parts but they are not as openly seen in the public as they once were. Don't for one second think they don't exist.

As for real street gangs....I think you are seeing the beginning of gang activity in some smaller towns but they don't have the numbers or power necessary to wreak havoc like they do in bigger cities. I know in Places like Morristown, Oak Ridge, Blount county, tri cities you have individuals who have moved here from other areas and are literally gang members. Morristown has transplants and illegal aliens who are Sureno, Laraza, MS13 and are serious with it. Problem is they don't have the sheer numbers to blatantly flaunt it, but can be very dangerous individuals. But I think in the towns I mentioned, you are seeing what is the beginning of what in the future (10-15 yrs) could turn into gang problems. But coming from Baltimore you shouldn't worry. But also don't underestimate or be fooled by everyone's kindness. Most everyone is pretty nice on a face to face level, it's the "southern way". But many can't be trusted. There are some criminal minded people here.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by RichRollin

I think the biggest small town gangs in Tennessee are the money embezzling politicians and in some towns the police. There are KKK in parts but they are not as openly seen in the public as they once were. Don't for one second think they don't exist.

Hate isn't just in the South. In fact, some of the most racist people I have ever met, and actually flaunt it, are in the Midwest.

Hate Map | Southern Poverty Law Center

[MisterThorns]

I'd say that the gang problem here in Tennessee is mostly confined to the cities and larger towns. The Big Four (Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, and Knoxville) definitely have serious gang problems, but some of the smaller cities do, too. Clarksville, Gallatin, Dyersburg, the Tri-Cities and especially Murfreesboro have their share of gang violence. Jackson has a very high crime rate for its size, though certainly not to the same extent as Memphis.

A lot of the smaller towns really don't have any issue with this, though. There are occasionally incidences of breaking and entering or cops uncovering a meth lab out in the boondocks, but this is basically the extent of Tennessee's rural gang problem.

Regardless, you will see very little of the sort of gang activity you'd see in Baltimore, even in some of the worst parts of Nashville. Memphis is probably the only city in the state that could compare.

[2mares]

Originally Posted by MisterThorns

A lot of the smaller towns really don't have any issue with this, though. There are occasionally incidences of breaking and entering or cops uncovering a meth lab out in the boondocks, but this is basically the extent of Tennessee's rural gang problem.

Why would you think that would be gang related?

[MisterThorns]

Originally Posted by 2mares

Why would you think that would be gang related?

Probably because I have heard several news stories over the years about Bloods and Vice Lords members building labs out in the woods where they don't think anyone will be keeping an eye on them.

Also, sometimes criminals from urban areas will case a target in the more rural towns for similar reasons: They don't think that the police presence will be as strong.

[2mares]

We have problems with meth in my area but it is local people not associated with gangs. I have actually found a couple places in the woods where meth was being made while riding my horse. I never associated it with gangs.