Since a gang summit in October, the sheriff's office has initiated strategies that will be coordinated not only with the local agencies, but those on the state and local level, Sheriff Wes Tripp said. “The leadership of each agency has dedicated resources to have mutual information collection, establish a dissemination protocol, and have coordinated efforts in prosecutions.”

The Sheriff’s Office has also coordinated with the United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District in order to prosecute federal law violators in the Safe Neighborhoods program.

Tripp said residents are encouraged to call the hotline with any information. “They need be aware of their surroundings and watch out for anything out of ordinary, writings that make no sense.”

Tripp and Weldon Police Chief Mark Macon have went on record as saying two murders in August in the town were gang-related. “We've also seen gang-related crimes.”

There was a time, Tripp said, when the term wannabe gang members was used to describe local activity. “We look at them now as they are just as dangerous because they have something to prove. Hopefully, we are taking a proactive approach to gang activity.”

While a story posted on rrspin following gang summit, which revealed the names of several local gangs, garnered comments saying they were merely rappers, Tripp said, “We have evidence to prove some crimes are gang-related.”

Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Chuck Hasty said he sees the task force and the hotline as a good tool for information sharing, “helping us track anybody that may be with a gang.”

Tripp said messages left will be checked daily. “Leave a message of any kind with information that pertains to crime, anything that raises suspicion. We will take all information.”

In bullet points contained in a statement on the matter, the sheriff's office said there are several reasons to become involved with the hotline:

• If you are tired of the local cycle of violence, where young people and even children are killed.

• If you are tired of substance abuse impacting families.

• If you are tired of repeat offenders committing serious crimes.

• If you want your neighborhood to be a safe place to live.

•If you want to see the bullying style of gang recruitment that exists stop.

• If you know of an offender that needs to be saved before they get killed in gang activities.

• If you are tired of gang activities holding communities hostage.

• If you want to contribute to making your community standard of living improve greatly.