About Us
GangsAcrossAmerica.com is a website developed and operated by real cops who are, without a doubt, the most experienced and successful 'gangbusters' anywhere. These cops bring years of experience and success investigating gangs, incarcerating gang members, and gathering and disseminating information to fight the scourge of Gangs Across America.
Our gang experts have relentlessly worked the streets and prisons of America’s worst gang jurisdictions, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Washington DC and other gang strongholds. They’re the experts that the experts themselves turn to for the ‘real deal’ on gangs and gang criminal activity.
In addition to its expert editorial board, GangsAcrossAmerica.com will regularly profile information from the heads of gang units and gang officers on methodologies for a successful solution to gangs and the problems associated with gangs: guns, drugs, murder, violence, community fear and intimidation, and officer safety.
We are committed to helping its readers become involved in a proactive, national approach to gang prevention, interdiction, investigation and eradication.
Senior Editorial Board
Sgt. Lou Savelli
Sgt Lou Savelli is a retired Sergeant from NYPD with 25 years in law enforcement. Lou Savelli created NYPD's first citywide gang unit, CAGE (Citywide Anti Gang Enforcement), which was awarded the National Gang Crime Research Center's Award for The Most Successful Gang Unit in the US. Lou Savelli has had outstanding success in street enforcement and investigation of some of the most violent gangs in America, including the NY Latin Kings, Crips, Bloods, Cali Colombia Cartel, NY's Five Mafia Families, and other violent street gangs, drug gangs, and organized crime gangs. Lou Savelli has worked undercover amidst gangs and was the victim of a 'greenlight' (murder contract) by gangs he fought against. He is a frequently-published author of gang-related articles; his books include Gangs Across America and their Symbols and The Pocketguide to Graffiti. His new book, soon to be released, is The Gang Investigation Manual: Successful Strategies and Innovative Tactics for Interdicting and Investigating Gangs. Lou Savelli lectures on gang and criminal investigation tactics to thousands of US and international law enforcement professionals each year through his training group, Homefront Protective Group Inc. (www.homefrontprotect.com).
Det. Joe Sparks
Det Joe Sparks is a recently retired member of the Chicago Police Department's famed Gang Unit. Of his 33 years in police work, Joe Sparks spent 27 years in the Gang Unit, and is widely regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and experienced gang investigators in the world. Joe Sparks is a frequent lecturer and trainer for the Chicago Police Department and for gang investigator's associations in the US and Canada. Joe Sparks has conducted highly successful investigations against gangs such as the Latin Kings, Gangster Disciples, maniac Latin Disciples, Vice Lords, and many other Chicago-based gangs. Joe Sparks personally investigated and arrested Maniac Latin Disciple leader Jose Padilla who became the notorious Al Qaeda terrorist labeled ‘The Dirty Bomber’. Joe Sparks predicted the current trends in gang migration and gang-related crime long before any other commentator, and has been a leading advocate for strong anti-gang measures. Joe Sparks has written gang-related articles for law enforcement officers and has consulted for many law enforcement agencies across America on fighting gangs with his proactive strategies. Joe Sparks can be reached at JJSGIS@aol.com
Sgt. Rich Valdemar
Sgt Rich Valdemar retired from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in 2004. For most of his 33 years with the LASD he was involved in combating gangs, and for the last 20 years he was assigned to the Detective Division, Major Crimes Bureau. Rich Valdemar also served for more than 10 years on the Federal Metropolitan Gang Task Force, cross designated as an FBI agent, and for 20 years served as a member of the California (Prison) Gang Task Force. Rich Valdemar has worked undercover infiltrating gangs, and was the ‘gang expert’ in the RICO prosecution of the Mexican Mafia in 1995 and 1999. He is an internationally known expert in both traditional and non-traditional gangs, and has been a regular trainer for countless law enforcement agencies. Rich Valdemar has also been a consultant and contributor to several books and periodicals, including Barrio Gangs by Dr. James Diego Vigil, and Gangs - A Guide to Understanding Street Gangs by Dr. Al Valdez. He is a character in the novel The Murder Children by John Ball, and a quoted consultant in Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo's current book, In Mortal Danger. Richard is currently working on books about the early days of the OSS gang unit, terrorism, police gang training, and on several motion picture projects. Rich Valdemar can be reached at calgangsarge@earthlink.net.
Sgt. Andy Eways
Andy Eways is a sworn police officer and currently holds the rank of Sergeant. He has served as a member and supervisor of the Maryland State Police Gang Enforcement Unit and is currently a Criminal Investigation Section Supervisor where he oversees major investigations, tactical and field operations and helps to coordinate gang intelligence between municipalities and the Office of the States Attorney.
He has conducted major gang investigations and continues to be consulted on investigations and anti-gang operations for federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. He has conducted, supervised and participated in gang and organized crime investigations including Title III Wiretaps, drug investigations and Continuing Criminal Enterprise Investigations. He maintains long-term informants and sources in the region who continue to provide up-to-date information on gangs and their criminal activities.
In addition to the above assignments, he has worked in both uniformed and covert capacities for his department in the Field Operations Bureau, Homeland Security and Intelligence Division and Bureau of Drug and Criminal Enforcement.
Sergeant Eways is a member of the East Coast Gang Investigator’s Association, International Latino Gang Investigator’s Association, New York Gang Investigator’s Association, New Jersey Gang Investigator’s Association, California Gang Investigator’s Association and MARGIN. Sergeant Eways is a nationally known speaker on gang interdiction and investigation strategies.
