Baltimore Warns RI Police of "Credible Threats" Against Cops by Gangs

The Baltimore Police Department has issue a national alert warning law enforcement agencies across the country, including Rhode Island, 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.

Cranston Police Chief Michael J. Winquist said said on Monday the department takes all threats against Law Enforcement very seriously.

“We continue to monitor national incidents to ensure our officers take proper precautions to be safe.”

Winquist said the alert “appears specific to the Baltimore area,” though his department “will be especially vigilant with our officer safety tactics.”

Other police chiefs in Rhode Island had same remarks when contacted by e-mail Monday.

The unrest in Baltimore is due in part 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.

Though many Rhode Islanders live without concern about gangs during their daily lives, there are gangs in the Ocean State. In Providence, squabbles between rival gangs has resulted in scores of shootings in recent years and multiple homicides.