Divisions
Gang Unit
(815)334-4760
The mission of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office - Gang Unit is to identify, control and reduce criminal activity by persons identified, or suspected, of being gang members or associates. The Gang Unit is dedicated to addressing crimes associated with gang activity and is devoted to aggressively prosecuting individuals involved in those crimes. Gang Recognition Checklist
Other responsibilities of the unit includes conducting educational presentations to schools, community groups, and youth groups to educate the public and provide youths with information on viable alternatives to gang membership.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office also coordinates the county wide gang task force, which is comprised of law enforcement officers from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and fourteen law enforcement agencies within McHenry County. The officers selected for this unit are highly motivated and are dedicated in taking a stand against gangs in our community. Each Officer also receives specialized training in gang investigation, suppression, interdiction and identification.
While gang activity in our community, as well as many communities in the United States continues to rise, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office – Gang Unit welcomes information from the public. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office – Gang Unit at (815)334-4760, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by e-mail at narcotics@co.mchenry.il.us, or by contacting Crimestoppers at (800)762-STOP(2867). Either way you report a tip, you will not have to divulge your identity and the information you provide will remain confidential.
How to recognize if your child/student are involved with a GANG:
- Wears only one or two colors of clothing exclusively.
- Hats and baggy clothing with gang street names, nicknames, etc.
- Suddenly starts wearing bandanas, jewelry, clothing accessories, etc., with certain
colors or symbol could be a gang representation.
- Tattoos, often handmade, showing nickname, gang affiliation, numbers/letters that
indicate a particular gang. Burn marks, scratches and magic markers are also used
to make "tattoos".
- Suddenly starts to pull away from family or his/her old friends.
- Possesses unexplained cash, and expensive items.
- Refers to his friends as: Gang, Homies, Family, Crew, Camp, Clique, Nation.
- May have unexplained bruises or cuts.
- Outwardly displays RACISM.
- Starts using nicknames or aliases.
- Gets in trouble with the law. This may be a result of gang fights or crimes initiated
by gangs.
Please use these tips just as guides on when to become more attentive to your child's activities, and not as a basis for him/her being in a gang.