Hickory Police

Street Crimes Interdiction Unit

In July 2006, the Hickory Police Department developed a new unit dedicated to disrupting gang related activity in Hickory. The Street Crimes Interdiction Unit consists of three officers and one Sergeant. Sergeant Jeff Young supervises the Unit comprised of Master Police Officer Scott Blackwood and Master Police Officer Kevin O’Mara. Sergeant Young’s position is funded by a grant received in July 2006 from the North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission to deter gangs and gang related activity. The Unit’s primary objective is to disrupt gang related activity through the use of education, prevention, intervention and proactive enforcement. The Unit is responsible for providing Gang Awareness training to the community, law enforcement officers and any requesting organization. The Unit is assigned to the Patrol Division and focuses on areas frequented by gang members in order gather intelligence about gangs and to their activities. The Unit will also proactively patrol areas that have been identified as high crime areas in order to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Hickory. They will collaborate with other local, state and federal agencies in order to provide the greatest resistance to gangs.

Anyone wanting to receive Gang Awareness training or provide information about gang related activity should contact Sergeant Jeff Young, (828) 324-2060.