So over the past handful of days, as if we didn’t have enough going on, there’s been this recurring email that has come to our attention from several people.
The e-mailers write that gangs are now operating in the Pikesville, Owings Mills and Reisterstown areas. The email continues that these gangs are going through initiation and they are targeting Jewish women in these areas.
“The people doing this are African American and Latino men and women. They are dressed in solid colored polo shirts,” according to the rumor/
The alleged gang members allegedly bump you from behind while you are in your car at a traffic light. When you get out of your car, you are then supposed to be jumped.
The email concludes with “this is not a rumor. This is very serious and very real. This is not something that the media has publicized.”
YES it is a rumor. YES it is an urban legend. And according to local police sources, it’s all getting very tiring out there when real issues need to be taken care of.
According to Baltimore County Police Det. Ebbert, the gang rumor comes right off of the urban legend website Snopes.com. And if you go there, she is correct, you will find this urban legend.
“It’s gotten picked up by some community associations,” said the detective. “It’s an urban legend, based on an old hoax. I’m not trying to say don’t be aware of your surroundings and use common sense, but we have nothing to make this thing credible.”
So please, the Internet and your e-mail can be a very powerful influence in both positive and negative ways. But don’t cause panic with your e-mail. The police and government officials can be reached by calling them at 311 or finding an appropriate e-mail address. But don’t be responsible for the continuation of a rumor or urban legend.
We have great law enforcement agencies with people who really care about our communities and keeping them exactly how they are…safe.