Claim: Maryland gangs are engaging in a deadly initiation game that requires new members to steal cars and shoot motorists on highways.
Example: [Collected via e-mail, July 2007]
Homeland Security and Maryland State Police have issued the following warning to persons traveling
Pass this on....
DO NOT FLASH HEADLIGHTS AT OTHER VEHICLES!
DO NOT STOP TO HELP BROKE DOWN VEHICLES!
DO NOT PICKUP HITCH HIKERS!
Homeland Security and Maryland State Police have issued the following warning to persons traveling
This warning is being issued due to the knowledge that many blood members were ousted from Baltimore/DC area and are relocating to the Frederick, Hagerstown, Hancock and Cumberland areas to expand their "Domain".
Their intent is to have new bloods membership drives on Friday and Saturday nights, over the next several weeks, to establish their membership numbers in these areas and bring smaller gangs into their family.
Persons posing as Hitch Hikers and Stranded Motorist are the first step to this "initiation game". Reports are that they are using woman with children to pose and then steel the vehicle of the persons stopping to render aid. This is how they acquire vehicles for the second step of this initiation.
The second step of the initiation ritual is that they drive around in the stolen vehicle with no headlights on or with their high beam lights on. The first vehicle to "Curtesy Flash" them is now their target. They are required to chase and shoot at their target (You) as their final step. Individuals have been injured and killed in these types of initiation events in other areas recently.
Currently smaller gangs are moving into this bigger gang to form a more prevalent image. At this point there have been
Anyone that believes that they have seen or are witnessing an event is urged to taken notice of the persons and vehicles involved and call 911 immediately. Maryland State Police has increased the number of officers patrolling these areas in unmarked, unidentified, vehicles to attempt to limit the exposure to motorist. Persons are advised to not become involved in an event or "Take the law in their own hands". There are many of them and they do not work alone.
Please notify all your friends and family members and inform them about this notice. Any persons wanting additional information, please contact the office of:
Chief Steven J. Kesner
Allegany County Department of
Public Safety and Homeland Security
414 Hudson Avenue
Cumberland, MD 21502
Office # 301-722-3417 or 301-777-5908
Origins: This July 2007 warning claims that Maryland police have warned motorists that gang members relocating from the Baltimore area are targeting motorists on the
and
Many people have reported receiving this warning as an
The e-mail lists telephone numbers for Allegany County Chief of Emergency Medical Services Steven Kesner; however, a call to his office Wednesday confirmed the The e-mail declares that the warning was issued by both [the Allegany County DPSHS and the Maryland State Police]. But an intelligence bulletin obtained from the Hagerstown Barrack of the Maryland State Police says the A Pennsylvania State trooper made the Allegany County DPSHS aware of the e-mail, according to an administrative assistant who answered the phone at the department. The e-mail states four incidents linked to the Bloods have occurred in Garrett and Allegany counties, and that police believe activity will soon spread to Hagerstown and Frederick. A recent e-mail forwarded on the hoax contained the subject
An e-mail warning residents who travel along Interstates 68 and 70 to beware of gang activity is a hoax, according to the Allegany County Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security (DPSHS).
However, reported the Frederick News-Post, that doesn't mean Maryland law enforcement officials are unconcerned about gang activity in that state:
The local prosecutor's office was one of six jurisdictions nationwide selected for the initiative, known as the Gang Response Model. The Gang Response Model is broken down into a seven-step approach, including assessing the problem, identifying responses and sharing information. In June, State's Attorney Charlie Smith said law enforcement agencies in Frederick County are monitoring more than 100 people they believe have ties to gangs. The most predominant groups in the county are the Bloods and Crips; although signs of
In June [2007], the Frederick County State's Attorney Office announced it would be getting help from the National District Attorneys Association to combat gangs.
Last updated: 25 July 2011
 | Sources: |
Andyshak, Ashley. "Gang Threat a Hoax." Frederick News-Post. 12 July 2007. Baker, Tamela. "Police Say Gang-Related Warning Is E-Mail Hoax." The [Hagerstown] Herald-Mail. 13 July 2007. Cumberland Times-News. "E-Mail Warning Residents of Gang Activity Along Interstates a Hoax." 12 July 2007.