By Rupert Howell

Local law enforcement officers as well as agencies from across Mississippi were represented at the Panola County Jail on Wednesday to learn more about gangs during a meeting of the Mississippi Gangs Association of Investigators.

Panola County Sheriff Otis Griffin hosted the event which included approximately two dozen officers from state, local and federal agencies.

Griffin explained that information concerning gang activity, pictures of gang signs and faces of gang members were being stored online so that agencies across the state would know what is going in other areas of the state.

Class leaders told officers to forget the old mindset of gang members. They now include girls, children, “richest to richest and poorest to poorest.”

Several local school officers reported minor incidents that might indicate some gang members, but officers from other small communities reported  heavy gang activity in some locations that included small, rural communities.

Officers and deputies were encouraged to talk to school principals to keep them informed and direct them to several Web sites that are designed to inform about how to spot gang activity.

Marcus Purnell of the Grenada Police Department serves as organization vice-president  and emphasized that gang activities is occurring and not to believe that it is just gang “wannabes” in the rural areas.

Officers also stated that inmates released from prison may bring the gang culture back to their communities. Participating officers received booklets and posters depicting and describing different gang signs, what they look like and what they meant.

The group attempts to meet monthly in different locations across the state.