Gang expert: Bloods in village

UPPER DEERFIELD TWP. -- The suggestion that there are Bloods gang members living in Countryside Village, on Route 77 in Seabrook, does not surprise Det. Arnaldo Santos.

In fact, he said on Friday, he knows there are gang members living in the Seabrook area.

"Are they necessarily hanging out on the streets like they do (in Bridgeton)? Maybe not. But some of them do live and have associates in that area," Santos said, noting that other gangs like the Latin Kings are also around. "I know that. I've seen it from experience and from listening to other gang members, and even law enforcement."

Santos is currently a detective for the state Department of Human Services.

He is also a former detective for the City of Bridgeton, and is considered an expert on gangs.

He has watched as gangs have moved from cities into more urban areas, and have adjusted their habits so that they blend in more with the regular crowd.

"A lot more of them are moving to urban areas," Santos said. "The reason for that is not having to worry about task forces. Police aren't as visible. If they don't have too many houses close to them, it makes it harder for police and even regular citizens to identify them as gang members."

The detective also said fewer gang members are wearing specific items of clothing that might identify them as a part of a certain group.

"They're not wearing colors," he said. "People tend to look for colors, but the leaders are telling them not to wear the colors because they'll be identified."

The fact that there is a gang presence in Seabrook has alarmed those who work, live and play near Countryside Village.

Armed security guards were recently removed from the apartment complex, and the concern is that the apartment complex will get out of hand, given the fact that there are gangs in the area.

A former security guard spoke at a recent township committee meeting and attested to the fact that without the guards, the complex is in trouble.

"The Bloods gang has come into the projects," the former guard had said, noting that the state police are aware of the problem. "Men and women have established a ground support for each other."

Margo Kelleher, vice president of Vesta Corporation, the Connecticut-based owner of Countryside Village, said in a previous interview with the News that video cameras have been placed at the complex instead of security guards.

She also said the company was unaware of any problems with gangs in the area.

"We have never been made aware by security guards or state police that there is gang activity at Countryside Village," she said.

Kelleher could not be reached for further comment Friday.

By removing the guards, it should be noted, Vesta is violating a township ordinance that requires them, according to township Solicitor Ted Baker.

Vesta will be in court today on the allegation.

Santos admits gangs are a big problem in the township.

While putting armed guards back at the apartment complex would not remove gangs from the area, it would help to keep them under control, he added.

"Absolutely, it would be good to have security there," Santos said. "Some gang members are not afraid of police. At least, if you have security guards, they can document problems and keep in contact with the local authorities."

The detective also said more community awareness of the problem would help.

"They need to make the community aware of what's going on," he said. "If the community can get together in the village, they can accomplish a lot."

Of course, gangs are not just a problem in Upper Deerfield, and Santos said something needs to be done to address the situation in all of Cumberland County.

"We have to take action. We can't let these gang members take over our neighborhoods," he said. "It's a big concern. I'm pretty sure there's more that can be done."