When members of a SWAT team shot and killed a known member of a white supremacist gang Monday, many police officers weren't surprised. Police say he's an example of a growing problem in Utah. And Tuesday 12 police agencies got together to share strategies on how to deal with white supremacist gangsters. Crime Specialist Karen Scullin has details.
Gang cops say violent crime committed by white supremacist gang members is growing all across the state. Police say they're mobile, moving from Cedar City to Brigham City to commit crimes and elude police.
Tattoos like this mean these white supremacists are "patched in"-- full blown proud-to-be members of a hate group. SAW, the Silent Aryan Warriors, and SAC, Soldiers of Aryan Culture are the two biggest groups. Scott Biswell, who was shot and killed by police Monday after he allegedly pointed a gun at officers, was a known violent member of SAC and hated law enforcement.
Detective Brent Jex/Metro Gang Unit: THERE'S A PATCH THAT THEY'VE CREATED, THAT SCOTT BISWELL WAS CLAIMING HE WAS GOING TO BE THE FIRST ONE TO WEAR IT AND THAT'S FOR KILLING A COP.
Jex says the violence among these groups has been on the rise for over a year. Take a look at Michael Root. He's in jail now, accused in two separate shootings, but suspected in four. The big motivator for the criminal activity isn't hate, but methamphetamine.
Brent Jex: HOME INVASION ROBBERIES, DRIVE BY SHOOTINGS, HOMICIDES, ATTEMPTED HOMICIDES.
Police gang units say the white supremacist gangs are organized and tend to be more violent than other street gangs. Detectives say their facial tattoos are almost like weapons, intimidating anyone they come in contact with.
Brent Jex: PUTTING SWASTIKAS ON THEIR FOREHEADS, THE PUBLIC LOOKS AT THAT AND INSTANTLY HAS AN INTIMIDATION THAT COMES FROM IT. THEY KNOW THAT? THEY KNOW THAT AND THEY PLAY OFF THAT.
There are 352 white supremacists who have committed crimes that landed them in prison. Currently 200 remain behind bars, while 152 are out.
Part of the challenge for police is staying on top of who's in charge. When one gang leader gets out or prison, police say he's back behind bars in a couple of weeks, leaving someone else calling the shots and police trying to figure out who it is.
Gang cops say there are a lot more violent white supremacist gang members out there that they haven't identified just yet. However some members tell us there are many white supremacists who don't commit violent crimes and simply share the racist beliefs.
August 13, 2002
