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Gangs Using Social Media To Recruit, Intimidate

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- An Anne Arundel County police detective says gangs in the county are using social media to recruit new members and intimidate.

Detective Mark Finley told students at a recent after-school session that he and fellow officers first started noticing gang activity on social media sites about five years ago. The Los Angeles native is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Gang Investigators Network, which brings together police who investigate gangs across the Washington region.

Finley told The Washington Post that Prince George's County gangs have used social media to find out where students skipping school are hanging out and then show up there to recruit them. Prosecutors say they are also using social media to find evidence to use against gang members who have been charged with crimes.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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