KNOX APPARENTLY AVOIDING RASH OF GANG INTERNET SITES

While the national trend among gang members is to use the Internet to
discuss crimes and recruit new members, Knoxville's street gangs appear to
be shying away from the practice, authorities said. "As far as gangs go, we
haven't seen it," explained Knoxville Police Department Investigator Jim
Quick of the Organized Crime Unit. "It's probably out there, but we just
haven't seen it yet."

Over the past few years, the number of gang-related Web sites nationwide
has grown to tens of thousands, with about 20 to 30 percent run by actual
gang members, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Experts say the Internet has largely failed to boost gang enrollment
figures or extend their reach, but others say they are dangerous because
they allow children to communicate with gang members.

For example, one Paducah, Ky.-based Web site named "P-Town Crips" includes
a membership application that asks users questions like "What personal
qualities do you believe a P-Town Crip should possess?" and "Do you believe
in gangbanging or organization forming?"

Most sites offer a chat room or message board where members glorify their
gang or challenge rivals. One Crip site in the Midwest features a graphic
in which blood drips down the screen, while others show a gallery of gang
tattoos.

Police in Miami and Long Beach, Calif., are starting programs in which
officers routinely check Web sites to gather intelligence information about
gang meeting places, times and upcoming events.

Although Knoxville's more violent street gangs - such as the West Side
Crips or the Aryan Nation - have generally shied away from the Web, lesser
known groups often use the Internet to post messages and other information,
Quick explained.

Groups of underground graffiti artists or "taggers," for instance, are
classified as criminal street gangs by KPD's Gang Task Force and often use
the Internet as a means of displaying their artwork or passing messages,
Quick said.

"Most of the taggers band into groups called 'crews,' " Quick said.
"They're not usually out there committing violent crimes, but they might be
into methamphetamine or Ecstasy or other drugs."

KPD defines a "gang" as a group of three or more individuals who have a
name or identifiable leadership; maintain a "geographic, economic or
criminal enterprise turf"; associate on a continuous or regular basis; and
engage in "delinquent or criminal activity," Quick said.

Although Knoxville has its fair share of street gangs, not all organized
crime falls under that category, he continued.

Quick cited prostitution as another type of organized criminal activity
that has benefited from the Internet, with some locally produced Web sites
being used to discuss escort services and street-level prostitution.

At least one Web site contains tips on picking up prostitutes in the
Knoxville area as well as a "price list" for various sexual acts, he said.

For the most part, the information posted on the Web sites hasn't been used
to bring criminal charges against suspects.

If someone uses the Internet, however, to brag about committing a serious
crime or uses it to actively promote illegal acts, then the information
posted online can be used as evidence against them in court, Quick said.

"As long as you can tie it (incriminating evidence) directly to somebody
and prove they posted it, you can use it," Quick said.

Albert Hunter, a professor of sociology at Northwestern University in
Chicago, said the gang sites may be protected under the constitutional
right to freedom of speech.

That right, however, could be limited if the sites are clearly promoting
criminal activity.

"My real concern is if these sites are being used for criminal purposes, if
they are planning conspiracies," Hunter said.

"Otherwise, the Internet is freedom of assembly."