In the late 1980s, a detective named Ron Stallworth moved from Colorado to Salt Lake City to work in the police department. Stallworth, who had previously infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in Colorado, discovered the presence of Crips and Bloods gangs in Salt Lake City and established an anti-gang unit. He recently released a book titled “The Gangs of Zion: A Black Cop’s Crusade in Mormon Country” and discussed his experiences in Utah in an interview with Texas Standard.
During the interview, Stallworth revealed that the Salt Lake City Police Department had a policy of not using the term “gangs” in their reports, opting for terms like “youth groups” or “community groups.” Stallworth, on the other hand, stressed the importance of acknowledging the existence of gangs to address the issue effectively.
Stallworth faced pushback from some community members, especially parents who were resistant to having their children labeled as gang members. Despite the challenges, Stallworth persisted in his efforts to combat gang activity in Salt Lake City.
One significant aspect of Stallworth’s investigation was the connection between rap music and gang culture. He discovered that white Mormon youths were adopting the characteristics of Crips and Bloods from South Central L.A. through gangsta rap music, which provided a blueprint for gang membership.
Stallworth emphasized the worsening gang situation in Salt Lake City over the years, with an increase in drug-related activities and the presence of automatic weapons among gang members. He also recounted a disturbing encounter with a state Senate majority leader who proposed extreme measures to address the gang problem, showcasing cultural elitism and racism.
Throughout his career, Stallworth navigated the challenges of being a Black police officer in a predominantly white institution and gained insights into the complexities of race, identity, and law enforcement. He highlighted the importance of speaking truth to power and challenging authority figures to effect positive change.
Stallworth’s experiences in combating gang activity in Salt Lake City underscore the ongoing struggle to address gang violence and the intersection of race, culture, and law enforcement in urban communities. His story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and advocacy in the face of adversity.
