Oh boy...there goes the neighborhood!

("robust intelligence files...". Ha ha ha) I hope the Chief isn't dismissing this graffiti as nothing to be concerned over. Sounds like he's downplaying something we should all be concerned about.

There are gangs in Brick. It's hard to find a town that doesn't have gangs.

What pisses me off is that when you mention the "illegal" population growing in leaps and bounds and them providing them with low paying jobs and excessive laundromats they cry "racism". Really??? Where do you think these criminals eminate from??? Latin gangs.....hmmmm......wonder whose lawn their cutting today?

Can't keep your head buried in the sand and think that gangs are not here. They are found virtually everywhere. The police tend to downplay activity or keep it hush, hush to avoid any panic. Gang graffiti has been around Brick for years.

Gangs have been and will continue to be a part of our culture. When has their not been some type of gang in the USA? Watch Boardwalk Empire, The Gangs of New York, Sopranos, etc. Many are and continue to be ruthless and violent.

In our local burbs there are a lot of “Gang Banger Wanna Bes”. Kids and teens who take on the gang appearance and culture though not full-fledged gang members. They think it is cool. It is the parents’ responsibility to read about and understand how gangs work. If their child is displaying certain signs, dress, drug use, it is time to have a heart to heart.

I wish folks would stop blaming certain "populations" other than their own for local criminal behavior. Much of the criminal and gang involvement within the Ocean County confines is committed by individuals who are very Caucasian. I read the "hard copy" of the local newspaper every day to remain well informed.

"The graffiti painted at the Chambers Bridge Road bus stop reads, "Sur 13," a marking commonly associated with the Sureños street gang, which traces its roots to Southern California in the 1960s."

The Gang is known as MS-13, not the Surenos. The Surenos are a subset of MS-13 Most anyone who follows current events knows that MS-13 is here in Ocean County and is a very brutal gang. They are moving into Brick from Lakewood.

We now have Bloods, MS-13, and the Latin Kings living in plain sight in Brick, yet our Chief won't even address the gang by their commonly known name, for fear of alarming people.

Its kinda sad when even our own Police only tell half the facts...

Lawn cutters, dish washers, line cooks , car washers , pavers and jobs that your/my son or daughter don't want/have to do....because we the parents spoil them so they go to the mall and spend our money instead of earning there own doing work..menial labor is so not in...Mom & Dad..I did make them both work in the summers, life guarding and on the BW @ Kohrs for school clothes and spending money...The after school and winter jobs are tough because then the grades take a beating...darn if ya do , and darn if ya don't.

Also add to the list, "The Shore Boys" and or "Shore Kids". They are recruited mostly on College Campus' or in High Schools and act out in Plain Sight. This problem is pervasive indeed, but to once again blame other populations is a crime in itself.

This should be a wake up call for the citizens of Ocean County, if you don't have a gun license and gun, go get one. It starts with painting a bus stop, then turns into invading people's homes. The police can not be everywhere, be ready to protect your families.

The only way to slow the growth of gangs is to keep kids too loved and too damned busy to even think of joining a gang.

Vera, I think your adding more race to the topic then anyone else. Gangs are gangs, full of every color and creed and religion. If we complain about the Mafia, is that racisit against Itialians? Or how bout the IRA, is that racisit against Irishmen?

MS-13 is a latin gang, the Bloods are a black gang, the "Latin" kings are again a latin gang. Its not racist, it just stating the facts. and the problems are in every culture.

I think your head need to come out of the sand. Gangs like MS-13 are made up heavily of illegal immigrants. We have a very large and growing Spanish population in Brick, most are legal and hard working, some are not.

Honestly, a white person could not join MS-13. Its is a Spanish gang only. If anyone is racist its the Spanish people in MS-13, they wont let other cultures join.

Again its not racism to tie gangs like the Latin kings and MS-13 to illegal immigrants, its the truth. It may be a inconvenient truth for you personally, but its still the truth.

Complaining that MS-13 is made up of a bunch of illegal immigrants is the same as complaining that the Aryan Brotherhood is made up of ignorant white trash.....They are both sad truths.

Gangs are alive and well at the Jersey Shore. Politicians don't like to admit to that at the same time they threaten to cut public safety.

" "A very small percentage of the graffiti that we see is actually gang related," he said"

Ha..really? What an ignorant statement, If it is not painted by a pledged gang member, it's not gang related, ok, so its just some 14 yr old punk looking to be initiated? Or a bunch of 12 year olds looking to emulate their role models? Sounds gang related either way - wake up Brick Officials your town has been riddled by gangs for years and sorry your Census of 24 members living here last year is inaccurate, I can count 24 of them in one apartment - dont kid yourself! With a husband and a brother on 2 neighboring police depts and task force I can tell you this article is a joke! And Vera, as a Latina myself I will state there is nothing wrong with Ms Strittmatter's comment she is right - the facts are : LK's and MS13 target the oppressed, already illegal or children of illegal immigrants so to stop the madness start at the source!

Kids are turning to gangs for things they should be getting from their parents? Stop the presses!

There are gangs formed within all walks of America. It has been proven time and time again "The Irish gang" wearing brass knuckles following shot and beer stops, are well known for "hunting" laborers of Mexican origin, dragging them in alleyway's followed by bloodied bashing in of their faces. Many students are of mixed origin grasping on to their hispanic heritage rather than their Italian heritage, while embracing the "familial gang draw".

To think many of the gang performed raids are performed by "others" is not only preposterous, but ignorant., as well as dangerous.

Put up a big fence to stop Lakewood trash coming into town. That will stop 50% , then get rid of the illegals that will curb another 35% of the problem

The chiefs comments ("Most times what we're seeing locally, is that they're just announcing that they're here or have been here," said Brick Police Chief Nils R. Bergquist,) are totally unbelievable. He better wake up and smell the roses before the graffiti shows up on his eye glasses. Town hall has to stop hiding the truth. The hell with the ACLU-round up the gangs and drop back in there mother country--If they are true US citizens brand them so we all know who they are and let the people deal with it. The MAN doesn't know what to do but Joe on the street does.

Look at all of the "clean cut" boys pimping their "fresh" work boots, white tee shirts, kacky's and "team" hats. DO your DD, and stop "the not in my backyard" mentality. To be aware is to be alive. Home grown College students. Whaaaat??

It is disturbing to see this where you live, how do you see who it is, it's done late night-early morning (probably run and hide) if they see a car, police, on 70 they can run right into the woods. I do think they are imposters or emulating gangs, the kids today
have no morals, family life, guidance and no jobs to keep them busy, they think this is funny and all a game

sorry - continued, i'm not saying that there is no gangs or activity because i also see
what has moved into the area, we all need to keep our eyes opened !

Karie, and join the NRA... just sayin...

I live in Brick.
The Chief can say whatever he wants.
However the average response time for a police call is 23 minutes.
I'll just keep my guns and my 2 large personal protection trained german shepherd dogs to watch over me and my family.
I say to all those gang bangers, bring it on.

23 minutes? That has got to be the most uninformed Statement I have ever heard. The response time in brick is 2 or 3 minutes tops, not 23. Where do you get your facts from.

"Bee alert."