Gangs make presence known with graffiti

By Debbie Bryce Journal Writer

FORT HALL - To the layman, graffiti covered school grounds and fences in the Fort Hall town site look unkempt. But to local law enforcement officials it is a reminder of growing street gang activity.


Fort Hall Police Detective Ryan Blackhawk and maintenance worker Drew Farmer waited patiently Friday outside the Fort Hall Police Department. A group of teens, possibly gang members themselves had volunteered to help paint over the graffiti, but they never came.

Farmer, volunteered his time and the maintenance department provided a power paint sprayer to clean up graffiti in the original town site. Farmer said he has cleaned up the area twice before.

Blackhawk said Franklin Builders in Pocatello donated paint for the project.

Threats toward the police and rival gangs cover B Street where the elementary school and Fort Hall Head Start are located.

Blackhawk said the gang problem has escalated over the past five years, not just at Fort Hall but across southeast Idaho. He estimates that 90 percent of property crimes, including burglary and vandalism in Fort Hall are gang related.

"We've seen some differences between gangs that have escalated to violence," he said.

Divided jurisdiction and limited holding space at the Fort Hall jail complicates the problem for law enforcement.

The Fort Hall town site remains under the jurisdiction of Bingham County.


Capt. Robert Sobieski of the Bingham County Sheriff's office said his department responds to the Fort Hall town site only if Fort Hall authorities request their assistance. Blackhawk said Fort Hall's current detention facility will house only 18 male and eight female inmates. Juveniles must be detained at the Bannock County detention center.