Former gang members speak out

It’s a problem plaguing cities across the country. We’re talking about gangs — and police say they’re as much a threat here as they are in larger cities like New York.

Now Wilmington residents are trying to spread awareness of gang activity in our community. Today was the second installment of the community gang forum “Is there a Gangsta in my House?”

Police and former gangsters who attended shared their first-hand experiences and the harsh reality of gang life.

“At first I thought it was the best experience of my life, but it ended up being the worst experience of my life,” said a former Crypt member who identified herself as “Yoshi.”

Yoshi–as she was once known on the New York City streets– didn’t want her face on camera.
She says she now lives in constant fear for her safety.

“Even though we live in a democratic world, you lose your rights when you become a part of their world and live by their rules and regulations,” she said.

On Saturday, yoshi and two other former gang members –who also requested anonymity– spoke to a group of young people at Union Missionary Baptist Church in Wilmington.

All lived a life of crime and ended up in jail.

Officer Roderick Hamilton of the WPD’s crime conspiracy unit says they were the lucky ones.

“You gonna end up either in jail or have a serious loss of life and the biggest victim in it will be your own family,” said Hamilton.

Hamilton says gang activity is as much a problem in Wilmington as it is in most major cities and that the country’s most infamous gangs all have a presence in our area.

He spoke to parents at Saturday’s gang forum and said if they suspect their child is involved with gangs, they need to be proactive.

“Don’t hesitate to ask for help,” Hamilton said. “Don’t wait until the police officer has put the handcuffs on your child to ask for the help that you need.”

Yoshi is now a business owner in Wilmington. She said her experience taught her that accomplishing your goals is the best way to earn respect from others.

Be sure to tune to Newschannel 3 all next week, as we take a closer look at gang activity and crime in our area.