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Police have spent years compiling the information and it's been key in helping the department get a handle on gang crime over the last 15 years.
"Back in 1995, I had a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy with me and by the time we finished that night he said this is no different than L.A., it's just smaller," said Lt. Todd Ojile, head of the WPD Gang Unit.
Police statistics show gang crime reached a peak from 1993-1995. During those years, the city averaged nearly 24 gang-related homicides a year. In 2010, the number had dropped to 6. So far, in 2011 the number is also 6.
The number of drive-by shootings in Wichita has also plummeted. In 1993, the city had 241 drive-bys, nearly ten times the number in 2010.
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"Back in the early '90s gang members were walking up to cars at intersections and executing the drivers. They were walking up to individuals at gas stations that were pumping gas into their car and shooting them in the back in broad daylight," said Ojile.
Police credit the breakthrough to their community policing efforts as well as the formation of the SCAT (Special Community Action Team) and gang units. Over the years, police have also worked with state legislators to enact stronger gang laws. In 2006 and 2007, WPD used the federal RICO act to deal a serious blow to one of the city's largest gangs.
"Those that are documented gang members when we arrest them can actually be held on a higher bond because of that, which keeps them in jail longer, which keeps maybe some gang activity from occurring because they're in jail," said Capt. Brent Allred.
Allred also believes WPD's gang outreach efforts have helped teachers and parents identify at-risk children and steer them toward better choices.
Meantime, officers like Watson will continue working the streets to maintain the advantage they've gained over gangs.
"I just try to give them a little bit of my background and let them know that I was born and raised here on this side of town and I was able to get a good career and make something of myself, so they should be able to do the same," Watson said.
