Washington Police Department is doing something unprecedented for eastern North Carolina. On Aug. 5, WPD, with help from the City of Washington, Washington (noon) Rotary and Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce, is hosting an all-day event breaking down gangs: the psychology of gangs and their members; what it takes to become a gang member; how to recognize gang symbols, terminology, clothing and more.

It’s a unique learning opportunity, and it’s not just in law enforcement. The public and law enforcement both are invited to participate in the Gang Free NC Symposium. According to law enforcement, it’s not easy to identify gang members: gang members come in all shapes, ages, colors and forms. This course will change that.

Why law enforcement should attend is obvious: the coursework of the symposium will help inform officers’ work on a daily basis.

Why the average person should attend is depends on the individual. A teacher or school administrator could learn to recognize when gang activity is brought into a classroom and school.

Knowing the signs and symbols of gang activity would mean a parent or caregiver could intervene before a child gets too deeply involved in gang activity or a child gets too deeply involved with a certain group of people.

Freely handing out this knowledge is not simply giving an individual the ability to recognize the signs around them. The more people armed with this knowledge, the safer a community.

Safety is a collaborative effort on the part of both law enforcement and the general public. Consider signing up for the Gang Free NC Symposium. In a rare case, those who attend will truly get something for nothing: knowledge.

Pre-registration is required. For more information about the symposium or to register, contact Kimberly Grimes at kgrimes@washingtonnc.gov.