Steve Jefferson/ Eyewitness News
Indianapolis - Investigators in Indianapolis are cracking down on gangs around the city and in schools.
With the Super Bowl coming in 2012 the priority to keep places like downtown gang-free is an even bigger priority.
Police say work to cut down on the crime means getting into the schools where kids are more likely to face gang recruitment. The plan is to identify gang members at school and steer students away from it.
Undercover officers are trained to spot gang initiations and identify suspicious activity among students.
"You want to get in front of the gang problem because it's going to lead to bigger problems down the road. Because if you don't pay attention to the gang problems you are going to have more shootings, you are going to have more stabbings, you are going to have more violence within the city," said Big D, an undercover gang detective.
Several police programs like the Pal Club and the OK Program are also used to address and counter-act gang activity.
Often gang activity spills over into the streets in many cases as graffiti. Gang members spray painted the side of Pastor Ric Thomas's church.
"I am a little disappointed and sad that they would disrespect the house of God. We have just been praying for them," Thomas said.
The graffiti on the church includes gang symbols and the vandals nicknames little Manny & Train.
Church leaders hope someone recognizes the nicknames.
"I was hoping that we could find the people that done it and have them paint this whole side, Not put them in jail or anything."
The graffiti is one way undercover officers can identify young gang members.
Police also urge parents to be on the lookout for signs their children may be involved in gang activity.
"If the parents step in and do what they are suppose to do and help the police as oppose to making it a police problem when the kids are in the street and then when they are at home they are still calling the police because it's a home problem. We cant work both ends. We are going to need those parents to step up," Big D said.
If you know of any gang activity or can help in the church graffiti case call Crimestoppers at 262-TIPS.
Undercover police are in schools looking for students who are involved in gangs.
Gang members spray painted the side of Pastor Ric Thomas's church.
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