The Westside 18th Street gang is a very large gang with membership virtually all over the world. Most are sporting the number "18" in some way. In graffiti, the roman numeral "XVIII" is frequently used in 18th Street tags.
Hillside 12th Street is the largest gang operating in Washington County. The letters "LAP" stand for Li'l Angel Pachucos. The number "503" (on the neck in the first photo) means essentially "Oregon area" (the telephone area code).
With Hispanic gangs, there are essentially two major groups - Nortenos and Surenos. Surenos are the most prevalent in Washington County, and commonly are loyal to the color blue. "Sureno" means "south". Sureno gangs originated in Southern California and areas south of Bakersfield. They have been in Washington County since the early 90's. The Sureno groups include many other subsets such as the Westside 18th Street gangs.
"Thank God I'm White", swastikas, and other messages about the white race being superior to other ethnic groups are signs of White supremacist groups.
HILLSBORO, Ore.- The Washington County District Attorney’s Office is dedicated to protecting public safety. In conjunction with our partners in law enforcement, our prosecutors, victim advocates and support staff work tirelessly to serve justice countywide.
February is national Gang Prevention Awareness Month. While many may not consider Washington County a haven for gang activity, our community is not immune to this threat. In fact, law enforcement in Washington County have officers and deputies assigned to deal with, and hopefully prevent, gang-related crimes.
As of May 2017, the investigators battling gang-related activity identified more than 1,300 known gang members in Washington County. They have identified the Westside 18th Street, Hillside 12th Street and others with ties to the Sureno gang as the most active groups in our area.
The crimes committed by gang members can vary widely. From graffiti on homes and buildings showcasing a particular gang’s symbol or name, to violent crimes like assault and murder, the criminal activity undertaken by these groups can run the gambit.
Once a crime is committed, law enforcement begins their investigation. When a suspect is identified, our prosecutors go to work. They interview witnesses, victims and investigators to build a case against the accused. If convicted, we strive for a sentence that will protect the victim(s) and the public.
So how can you help? Law enforcement can’t be everywhere all at once. It’s vital to report any gang-related activity so they can investigate. Parents need to be especially vigilant. Keep this advice in mind if you’re concerned your child may be considering joining a gang.
- Have an open dialogue with your children about gangs and ways to avoid them. Explain the dangers of gangs and how they could be hurt or arrested if they associate with them.
- Make sure your children don’t:
- Associate with gang members
- Attend parties or events sponsored by gangs
- Use any hand signs or wear any clothing associated with gangs
- Know your kid’s friends and their parents. Make sure they don’t have any ties to gang activity. They could be vulnerable to peer pressure or encouraged to join a gang.
- Set limits with your kids. Make sure they understand their actions have consequences. One mistake early on could impact them for the rest of their lives.
- Make sure you are spending time together as a family. Be sure to plan family time to eat together, play and go on trips. This time together will give you better insight into your family and make it easier to spot a change in behavior.
If you’d like to report gang activity or are concerned your child is involved with a gang, contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at (503) 846-5850 for more information.
