BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KFSM) - In order to keep gang members off the streets and out of schools, the Benton County Sheriff's Office created a Gang Suppression Unit.
The gang unit plans to be proactive and stop gang members and organized crime at its root.
"I would say it's a sporadic problem," Cpt. Brandon Rogers explained. "I don't think it's a consistent problem right now but we want to stop it before it's a consistent problem."
Rogers said the county is home to motorcycle gangs and street gangs. He said they sometimes arrive to the county from larger U.S. cities and other countries, while some start in Northwest Arkansas.
The gang unit will use funding within the Benton County Sheriff's Office budget to get started and hopes to apply for grants in the future.
To read plans for how the unit will work on controlling organized crime, visit 5newsonline.com.