Many come to Montana is search of com- fort. They find a land of natural beauty, free from many urban woes. Here, bear maulings appear more of a danger than street violence, and the weather is still the greatest threat.
When sophomore Danielle Deisenroth thinks of gangs, she thinks of "the inner-city, not really Montana." Montana's natural serenity does not, however, mean that it is immune to the problems facing many larger areas. Even in "the last best place," the issue of gang activity is a growing concern.
Billings "has probably had some minor gang activities for three to five years," said Lt. Rich St. John of the Billings Police Department. "Once we dedicated some serious time (to the issue), we discovered more than we originally thought. I think it's the kind of thing where the harder you look, the more you find."
Republican Senator Bruce Crippen's investigation of gangs in his home town of Billings has prompted him to propose legislative action. Senate bill No. 383, passed unanimously by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 22, is entitled the Criminal Street Gang Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act, and is designed to provide enhanced criminal penalties for street gang-related activity.
The bill reads that "the State of Montana is in a situation of rising crisis caused by the entry into the state of criminal street gangs," and would provide mandatory additional sentencing of up to three years to those committing gang-related crimes.
While many would argue that Montana has not yet reached the crisis level concerning gangs, the problem of gang activity is growing gradually, and it's not limited to Billings.
"We believe that there is an emergence of gangs in Missoula, both residential and nonresidential," said Lt. Steve Ross of the Missoula Police Department, citing warning signs such as increased gang-related crime, gang graffiti, gang mannerisms and an increased use of weapons and criminals claiming gang relation.
It was this growing concern that caused the Missoula Police Department to expand its effort against gang activity and launch a cooperative, comprehensive battle against local gangs. While gang activity is hard to assess, the effort has been effective, said Detective Steve Trollope of the Missoula Police Department.
"We've crushed many (gangs) through prosecution and have been successful sending enough (members) away that gang tends to disappear," said Trollope.
"They're not as flagrant as they have been. But we still have a gang presence."
According to the magazine The Economist, a survey conducted in 1994 found that 57 percent of towns with over 25,000 residents reported gang incidents. The Department of Justice now reports that there are signs that gangs are deliberately targeting smaller areas.
Over his 16 years as a member of the Billings police department, St. John has "seen an increase in gang activity" in smaller communities, "especially a propensity to use weapons such as guns or knives, whereas it used to be a fist-fight in the alley."
Even Montana's small town of Ronan confronted the issue after a 14-year-old boy, charged with a series of crimes in the area, reportedly told one of his victims that the sexual assault was required as a gang-initiated ritual.
Many reasons account for an influx of gangs into smaller towns. Perhaps one of the major reasons is gang members from outside areas moving in.
"We have individuals in the area from out-of-state here on a small basis," said Trollope. "They have an influence on local kids."
Whatever the reasons, many students who have lived in urban areas say local students don't view gangs in a serious enough fashion.
Sophomore Peter Smouse moved to the Flathead a year ago from Tacoma, Wash., a place where gangs were "a normal thing." Smouse was never involved in a gang, but knows more about the reality of gang life than many of his peers.
Students in Kalispell think gangs are "all games, but they don't know what really goes on," said Smouse. "People in gangs don't mess around, and they're not afraid to do what they say they'll do."
Perhaps the most effective way to stop the spread of gangs in smaller towns is for everyone to look at gangs as seriously as those students who have witnessed how large and powerful a gang presence can grow.
"Communities have to be willing to admit they have a potential problem," said Trollope. "They can't bury their heads."
Said Trollope: "The only way to minimize gang activity in your community is to address the issue head-on."