'Credible Threat' Warning Issued That Gangs Might Target Police

The Baltimore Police Department has issue a national alert warning law enforcement agencies across the country, including Massachusetts, about a credible threat that gang members may be organizing to “take out” police officers.

The threat notification was issued earlier this morning and sent to the NLETS system. Police also requested media outlets share the information with the public.

The alert noted that the department’s Criminal Intelligence Unit had received “credible information that members of various gangs, including the Black Guerrilla Family, Bloods, and Crips, have entered into a partnership to ‘take-out’ law enforcement officers.”

The alert called the partnership “a credible threat” and advised that officers should take precautions to protect themselves.

Wayland Police Chief Robert Irving said on Monday the department takes all threats against law enforcement very seriously. Any and all threats are passed along to the Wayland officers through email or rollcall, he said.

“Unfortunately, there is a trend in making these threats towards law enforcement,” said Chief Irving. ”We have not received any specific threats. We continually speak with our officers regarding the importance of officer safety and awareness. Any threats, to law enforcement officers or anyone else, need to be taken seriously.”

The unrest in Baltimore is due to the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old man who died in police custody on April 19, 2015, after a spinal injury,which prompted anti-police brutality demonstrations and clashes with police.