Dubuque Police Arrest 86 Gang Members

By Katie Wiedemann, Reporter

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Sep 7, 2010 at 5:27 PM CST

Story Updated: Sep 7, 2010 at 5:28 PM CST

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Last month we first told you about Dubuque Police efforts to capture that city’s most wanted criminals.

During that process Police ended up arresting 86 alleged gang members.

In the past few months, police have arrested almost 100 people they consider to be gang members. Police say gang members are more prevalent than you might think.

Officers patrolling the streets of Dubuque say gang members are labeled as such by the laws they break.

Corporal Steve Eastvedt said, “A person could be heavily involved in criminal activity or gang activity and not look the part. So there are some things to look for but you have to be careful not to pre judge.”

Police say they do look for clothes or tattoos that are consistent with certain gangs. Eastvedt says police keep track of people who were arrested with known gang members.

Investigators also use information from other police departments.

Eastvedt said, “If Chicago Police confirm someone is a gang member then obviously we are going to consider them in that light here also.”

That information ends up on a gang member database.

And police say these recent arrests should serve as a warning for criminals….you can’t get by with crime in Dubuque.

Eastvedt said, “If somebody is going to be involved in crime in our community it sends a message to them that we do seek to address those issues and hold them accountable.”

Eastvedt tells me so far gangs have not taken over any specific areas or neighborhoods. But that also means gang members are living all over the city.

Most of those arrested had warrants out for multiple crimes.

Next Article Dubuque Group Pushes Prayer at Council Meetings

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