The Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention has awarded a $30,697 grant to fund gang intelligence gathering at the Charles County Detention Center.

 The grant will fund gang awareness training and computer and camera equipment to be used to gather and store information about gang members incarcerated at the Detention Center.

 “We recognize the important role our corrections personnel have in helping us combat and prevent gang activity and we are pleased the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention has provided us with the means to enhance our gang intelligence gathering efforts at the Detention Center,” said Sheriff Rex Coffey. “We will be able to gather valuable information to share with our sworn officers, the Southern Maryland Information Center and other law enforcement agencies.”

 The grant will facilitate the Sheriff’s Office’s efforts to develop a gang tracking system that will include interviewing and photographing known or suspected gang members. Any body markings such as tattoos or scars associated with a gang will also be photographed. The training funded by the grant will help correctional officers more easily identify possible gang members.

 In addition to contributing to public safety, these efforts will also contribute to a safe atmosphere at the Detention Center by arming corrections officers with more important information about incarcerated gang members.