While police acknowledge that not every person claiming to adhere to the lifestyle engages in criminal activicity, Lt. Doug Cardwell commented "We've had more crime attributed to Straight Edge than any criminal street gang this year" and that "It's ironic and disappointing that otherwise good kids are committing crimes to promote their own personal philosophy." See the linked article for full details.You wouldn't expect a splinter faction of teens that rejects alcohol, tobacco, drugs or promiscuous sex to be an active criminal street gang, but in Washoe County that's exactly what's happening, authorities say.
In March - following a six-month investigation - Straight Edge was officially classified a gang by the Regional Gang Unit. Nearly every week, gang officers investigate Straight Edge crimes or harassment that doesn't seem to subside following arrests.
Authorities describe Straight Edge attacks as random, opportunistic, violent beatings that can be spurred by minor comments from nonmembers. Members - who sometimes use bats, shovels, knives, brass knuckles and Mace - don't engage in violence unless they can outnumber their targets, police said.
Contributed by lastlifenick. Posted by adam on Sunday, June 5, 2005 at 1:22 PM (EDT)
According to an article in the Reno Gazette Journal, police in Reno, Nevada are now treating "straight edge" as a gang following a number of attacks linked to the lifestyle. From the article:
News (286 comments)
Please login or register to post comments.What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way. Seriously.
Someone (June 5, 2005)
First! And fuck Reno. They have the worst police force ever. Reno 911 anyone? 7+ Replies
Someone (June 5, 2005)
Let's see what the straight edge pussies think of promiscuous sex when Biff in cell block 6 is trying to get some of their sweet virgin ass. 4+ Replies
SteveJonesTheRealBones (June 5, 2005)
um...its about goddamned time i fully support the police on this one. - jones the bones - stevejones8770@yahoo.com 7+ Replies
abusedcat (June 5, 2005)
wow. so, i'm straight edge, i did it because i never liked drugs, liked the lifestyle, some of my favorite musicians are straight edge, and now im a part of a GANG? wow. bullshit. 7+ Replies
Someone (June 5, 2005)
As usual, the hardliners ruin it for everybody. That said, this is a real way to objectify the vast majority of the kids who are straight edge and don't act like gangsters. Bad move on authority's part. -BSD 12+ Replies
SteveJonesTheRealBones (June 5, 2005)
hey theres legal whore houses in carson city about 30 minutes away and probably closer.... all these kids need to to have sex with some whores...then they will relax and everyone can get along - jones the bones - stevejones8770@yahoo.com 6+ Replies
CrookedSuperhero (June 5, 2005)
How cool. All the people who actually label themselves SxE are gonna be happy as fuck. One more thing they can brag about to people. 2+ Replies
Someone (June 5, 2005)
I use to call myself straight-edge and then i went the Promise's last show with Bane and decided that 98% of the people there were straight-edge and were complete jerks. People need to start respecting other people's actions. The concept of Straight-edge isn't going to save the world. I still follow the straight-edge rules but I don't agree with the actions of these people. I am very sad that I have called myself straight-edge. I think that this contributed to me being very unhappy because of this association with gang actions. 4+ Replies
chasesancho (June 5, 2005)
wow, this is rediculous. there is only so much of this that i can believe, and i think most of this is authorities taking advantage of their job by creating problems that dont exsist. 6+ Replies
SteveJonesTheRealBones (June 5, 2005)
i just realized that alot of the replies to this are going to be so mindless regurgitated "fuck authority" "fuck police" that its going to give me a headache ...i should stop reading - jones the bones - stevejones8770@yahoo.com 3+ Replies
SteveJonesTheRealBones (June 5, 2005)
My farts really smell right now. i think it was the taco bell...club chulupa and grilled stuft burrito - jones the bones - stevejones8770@yahoo.com 2+ Replies
maverick (scott) (June 5, 2005)
I'm 23, and I don't drink, smoke or do drugs, and don't plan on ever doing so; but I've stopped labelling myself as straight-edge, simply because I don't want to have to feel guilty if I ever choose to do any of those things. All these militant straight-edge hardcore kids do is talk about "positivity" and "supporting the scene" and all that, but as soon as anyone crosses their path, it's "THAT MOTHERFUCKER, I'M GONNA KICK HIS FUCKING ASS." It's hypocrisy at its finest. Straight-edge has turned into any other sect of religion -- it was founded on a certain set of beliefs created by one guy (Jesus, Mohammed, etc.), then interpreted and reinterpreted throughout successive generations, with the message getting more and more distorted and misdirected each time. Somewhere, Ian MacKaye is hanging his head in shame. -Scott 12+ Replies
PsychoOS231 (June 5, 2005)
straight edge is as lame as they come but i will deem this article UP DA PUNX! 1+ Reply
Someone (June 5, 2005)
I guess they were really running out of material for the latest "World's Wildest Police Videos". Haa that guy on the show makes me laugh he talks about the police like they are never wrong, you know what buddy they can't always be right. Oh yeah also i'm guessing the people doing the attacks claimed they were straight edge just to cause trouble.
piratasmuertas (June 5, 2005)
Lest we forget the basic premise of the egde... I am gonna go have a beer now. 2+ Replies
Someone (June 5, 2005)
They forgot to mention socks full of quarters. Granted, this stuff isn't the norm, but it sure as hell happens--I blame the upswing in the number of laughably gay "crews" all over the fucking place. The cops need to go Fred Hampton on these assholes.
Someone (June 5, 2005)
a sXe kid grabbed a ciggarette out of my mouth one time and stomped it out. I punched him in the teeth. 3+ Replies
Someone (June 5, 2005)
Soooooo, they're beating the shit out of people for doing things that harm their bodies? Ooooooookay, I guess that makes sense in Bizarro World... 2+ Replies
Someone (June 5, 2005)
You know being straightedge is also enough to get you put on a domestic terrorism watch list? They did it back when the Olympics were held in SLC. It's a shame though that a handful of kids can ruin such a good movment "my interest doesn't lie in what's in your glass i'm only concerned with what's in your heart"-One King Down
Aren (June 5, 2005)
I always hear about straitedge kids being a problem but I've never had problems with one in Chicago. Is it just other cities? 2+ Replies
Someone (June 5, 2005)
So, in other Nevada-related news, has anyone else heard about Prophet Yahweh? This guy says he can summon UFOs on demand and he was featured on one of the local news broadcasts in Vegas. 2+ Replies
joeg (June 5, 2005)
Let's see how tough these straight edge guys are when they get a couple years in prison. They'll be crying for their mommy's on the first day when some big black dude gives them a "you're mine" look. 3+ Replies
Someone (June 5, 2005)
I was true 'til 21.... then I realized how delicious and refreshing liquor was.
Someone (June 5, 2005)
I've been to shows all over the US, and I've had alot more problems with traditional hardcore thugs, than I have with straightedge kids. Some of them are real criminals, not kids showboating a philosophy they may soon ditch.
Someone (June 5, 2005)
on the whole, a good article. two things: "Straight Edgers tend to attack other teens who are publicly engaging in activities Straight Edgers don’t agree with, such as smoking or drinking." these are just immature teenagers. hopefully when they grow up, they'll realize how hypocritical and misguided this kind of stuff is. "Detective Lex Bell of the Salt Lake Area Gang Project in Utah thinks Straight Edge is popular there because of the strong Latter-day Saints’ influence, which mirrors the group’s core beliefs." i like how they think they're rebelling against organized religion, when they're just aligning themselves with a group who stresses many of the same things. straight edge is a joke because of things like this. i doubt these kids even listen to minor threat.
joeydevil (June 5, 2005)
Ah whatever. I am straight edge and this will affect my life in no way. But, keep in mind the fact that I think straight edge violence is misleading. The percentage of violent straight edgers in comparison to non violent straight edgers is probably remarkably similar to the percentage of people who arent straight edge and voilent. I know a few straight edgers and not one of them would ever do anything like what any of you stated they do. 1+ Reply
Someone (June 5, 2005)
I'm fucking happy to live in Montreal right now....good luck trying to find any straight edgers here.... 5+ Replies
Someone (June 5, 2005)
it's things like this that put straight edge in a terrible light and makes me even more dedicated to the life of straight edge. first off, when the public opinion on not doing drugs, drinking or having promiscuous sex is that it's "uncool" or whatever, it really shows the loose ethics of the society we live in. second, the best way to approach somethign like this if you're straight edge is to keep "claiming edge" as opposed to getting stuck in the mindset of "oh, people think straight edge kids are gangmembers, better stop claiming edge". i'll stay edge to show that there is a smarter, more positive aspect to straight edge counterculture than the "beat you up if you smoke, hit people at shows while moshing" contingent of straight edge. anyways, i've said enough i guess. 5+ Replies
DestroyingTheScene (June 5, 2005)
Up here in Canada (Vancouver and Kelowna BC) I've yet to run into these types of hardliners. Is this massive sXe violence shit like a American-only situation or what? I'd really like to know if anyone has had any problems with dumbass hardliners up here in the North. 2+ Replies
Someone (June 5, 2005)
Speaking of reno... check out some free Reno Hardcore!!! http://vampirates.titsforpeace.com 2+ Replies
Someone (June 5, 2005)
Cool, Straight Edge Terror Force! Check out Final Exit - Umeå, a brilliant album
Someone (June 5, 2005)
No Reply- Take Back The X "I've been quiet for far too long But i am Straight Edge and this is my song I'm not in a gang and i'm not in a crew I can think for myself while you think for you Take Back The X Straight Edge for me is a positive choice It's about my life, it's about my voice Fuck your discipline and fuck your rules It's time to take Straight Edge back from fools W'ere gonna take it back Straight Edge doesn't just belong to narrow-minded right wing sneaker wearing fucks. Rise above the stereotypes. Take back the X" Great song/band and very positive stuff i guess it's ironic that i'm not straight edge because i drink but anyways good lyrics.
Someone (June 5, 2005)
Has anyone seen that website, howsyouredge.com ??? How lame is that. The funny thing is, I know 20 people on there. Not everyone is true til death! 2+ Replies
jonodeath (June 5, 2005)
That's like saying all vegans and vegetarians firebomb animal testing facilities. There's extremists that ruin things for everyone. I'm for tolerance and non-violence, but i'm still straight edge. People just get specific cases and generalize them to a whole population of people. "I want you to stop hurting yourself with drugs, so i'll beat the shit out of you!" makes sense...right?
Someone (June 5, 2005)
in middle school I decided to call myself straight edge because a lot of kids would harass me because I didn't drink or do drugs. but somehow once I called myself straight edge they left me alone. it doesnt really make sense to me....if I said I didnt drink or do drugs they'd quickly be on my case all the time....but then once I said I was straight edge they'd back off?? I dont think this has anything to do with the article...well maybe some of it....just another thought to add to all of this. -a girl that wishes she lived in that huge whale storybook ride at disneyland. 2+ Replies
Someone (June 5, 2005)
Fuck the pigs and fuck the straight edge kids. Punk is about haveing no rules or codes. May they both kill each other in the streets. 4+ Replies
Someone (June 5, 2005)
I could see this coming. Some of the people I know who promote this whole straight edge xxx stuff don't exactly seem like a peace group. The real "straight edge" kids are the ones who stay quiet and don't promote it.
Someone (June 5, 2005)
I remember when we use to have straight edge gangs, only back then we called 'em skinheads.
Someone (June 5, 2005)
do you really have to be labled something, Whatever happened to just being "a person"? 1+ Reply
Someone (June 5, 2005)
Just another asshole throwing in his two cents:
Kicking people's ass because they disagree with your religion (and for many people that's what sXe is) is hella gay.
Classifying members of a goup as a "gang" is stupid when most of them live peaceful productive lives is fucking stupid. I heard there's lot's of blacks in gangs; let's labe negrodom as a sign of being in a gang. Yay racial profiling! (That last sentence was sarcasm; I feel the need to explain because there's some dumb motherfuckers on this site).
On the heels of that last thought: Anyone saying "Most teens today can't be straightedge -- they don't know the Minor Threat lyrics" should be hung from the nearest tree. If people choose on their own not to use drugs and shit I have more respect for them than if they're doing it to impress some songwriter from the '80's.
Finally, does this stupid fight between show rest of comment 3+ Replies
jamespastepunk (June 6, 2005)
What happened to just putting on an X at shows and listening to Gorilla Biscuits or Good Clean Fun?
Straight Edge is a personal decision and its not for everyone. Edgers beating people up are just as bad as the people they're "rebelling" against.
Listen up, "crews" and gangs,
You're ruining a wonderful idea and a lifestyle that people live their lives believing in. How do you think the other straight edgers feel around you who have to explain your misplaced machismo?
Not only that, we (straight edgers and not) don't want your hate at our shows, we've had enough of your violence, and we're not going to stand for this.
There is a line in the sand, and you guys crossed it. Go fuck yourselves.
P.S. You're not straight edge. You're hate edge, and there's a difference. One's an idea started by a kid who just wanted to explain how he felt, and the other is one for clo show rest of comment 2+ Replies
LouisvilleJared (June 6, 2005)
This is proof that you should keep your fucking beliefs to yourself. Trying to get people to believe something that they obviously don't care about is dumb. Do what you want and let others do what they want. People who feel they need to force their beliefs on others (straight-edge, Christian missionaries, etc) usually end up turning people away from what they believe rather than attract people.
Someone (June 6, 2005)
Straight edge is for the under 21. Get a life and stop acting like pussies. I have never seen a skin or a straight edge kid (or some idiotic combination of the 2) fight anyone 1 on 1. People are going to smoke, fuck, drink eat meat and be friendly. I know, you are against those things, but its no reason to be angry at the world. Lighten up bitches. 2+ Replies
Someone (June 6, 2005)
geraldo is about to do a piece on this and teaser just said.... "coming up: the gang that kills you if you smoke, drink, or swear" rediculous. this guy is gonna spin this like crazy. It sucks that this is going to give straight edge an even worse look in the public eye. Damn you Fox news!!! 2+ Replies
crackpotdemagogue (June 6, 2005)
"And all the boys in the straight-edge scene are in the basement huffin gasoline, DEAD-DEAD-DEAD-DEAD...."
Someone (June 6, 2005)
Seriously. I understood when all I knew was that everyone was sad that all their heros were dying. I understood when it was a healthy way to live. But I don't understand when I have to boycott Terror shows because that band drags mad Straight Edge crews with them, and people that are relatively close to me have almost DIED. Now THAT, is tragic. It's a SHOW. But it's their excuse to start swinging fists, brass, bats or what have you at other crews. I'm betting that most of it [at shows] comes from hardcore dancing. Anyone who gets hit by someone gets jumped...and if they don't get what they got coming at the show...they get tracked down. It's happened before and it's goddamned sad, if you ask me.
elliot (June 6, 2005)
i'm almost 22, and with every single day i live, my conviction for straight edge gets even stronger. so fuck anyone who says "you're edge until you're 21, brah." this shit is for life. the crew mentality that's so prevalent these days really does need to get the fuck outta here. it's ruining straight edge, ruining shows, ruining everything. put your dicks back in, and flex your heads. last of all, if you're straight edge, don't let articles like this make you renounce your edge. it's good people like you who can change people's minds about straight edge. simply running and hiding won't do anyone any good. set a positive example, and people will follow, someday. 4+ Replies
Someone (June 6, 2005)
Thank god! Anything to dispose of more straight edge kids the better. We already know straight edgers are pussies & now their sweet little asses can become pussies in cell block 8. The only thing straight edge kids are good for is saving more beer at the party for me! Reno could quite possibly become the coolest city in the US if they keep this shit up! 2+ Replies
SkolarX (June 6, 2005)
reasons like this are why i know more straight edge people who don't claim edge because they don't want to be lumped in with the idiots. here in detroit the idiots are here, courage crew, but they don't really mess with anyone unless someone provokes them. just what i've witnessed here. there has been a few bands like xTyrantx who have asked that people not smoke while they play but thats about it that i've noticed. whatever, to each his own
Someone (June 6, 2005)
I don't drink, smoke, do any drugs, or have promiscous sex. But fuck straight edge. 1+ Reply
Someone (June 6, 2005)
Ever smoke a bunch of weed and eat a bunch of mushrooms and listen to Husker Du's Zen Arcade? Its a fucking journey, man. I personally think of straight edge as something kids like to claim before they hit drinking age. Then its all out the window. 2+ Replies
Someone (June 6, 2005)
this is bullshit. there is a BIG difference between straight edge and HATE edge
Someone (June 7, 2005)
Does anyone know if Reno is the first place to do this? I've never heard of any other cities classifying Straight Edge a gang.
Someone (June 7, 2005)
Read between the lines... these kids were picked on, societies outcasts... and they acted out against it.. it's just an example of the media bullshit making something out of nothing... just years ago all we heard about were school shootings... the fact of the matter was that school shootings were down by 15 percent... then all we heard about the following year was shark attacks, even tho the number had significantly decreased.. i'll tell you exactly what happened... some sXe kid was being picked on, so his buddies helped him out, the police broke it up, and the punk ass kid who was picking on the sXe kid's parents got pissed, and called the media and lawyers and shit... then all sorts of other parents of drugged out loser kids joined in, rather than realizing there kids have problems they did what society did and placed the blame on someone else, and it became a media frenzy t show rest of comment 2+ Replies
Someone (June 8, 2005)
I smoke, drink, and do drugs, and i still consider myself an upstanding citizen. I haven't got in a fight yet and I am not a pussy like these straight edge kids who have to outnumber to fight. That's what a gang is, a group of people. To be labeled as a gang by police, you have to be a group of people who dress alike, act alike, or have the same beliefs and cause trouble as a group. If these straightedge bitches need a group fight to solve their problems, then fuck them, label them as a gang. That oughta shut them up and make them realize what they are doing. If you got a problem, either face it on your own or smoke a blunt. I'm making a name for ,myself, even though i do what i do. Straight edge is for bitches now, it was cool back in the day, but it died along with punk. Those artists were straight edge is stay ahead of the game and not go dow
show rest of comment
Someone (June 8, 2005)
fuck ya! it's about time! think i'm gonna do a couple of lines, go down to the bar get drunk and take some girl , whose drunker than me, home to celebrate. way to go dickheads! years of mob mentality finally pay off. my only question is, which prison gang get's to fuck you in the ass first? pussies......
Someone (June 9, 2005)
This same sort of thing is happening where i come from, new jersey. i know exactly what it feels like to go to shows and watch kids get the shit kicked out of them because there not straight edge. i am friends with a lot of these so called "gang" members but do not associate myself with there wrong doings. the authorities are doing the right thing because i know how much of assholes these kids can be. i was at a shattered realm show and the band told about 30 straight edge kids to put on there "steel" meaing brass knuckles, that night they knocked out about 15 kids with punches to the face because they think they are better than them. this bullshit is rediculous and it has to stop. the scene is about music not how tight ur pants are or how straight edge you are...
Someone (June 11, 2005)
I think that both sides of this story are bullshit along with alot of the comments that have been made so far. The cops try and find new shit to pick kids out with every day. Being straight edge is alright, but just becasue you think smoking and drinking arent cool or hip (which is why they became straight edge in the first place, to be able to say "I'm sXe" becasue they want to be different from everyone else but are ending up the same) dosnt mean that you go beat the shit out of someone with a shovel becase they have a cigerette. I guess this is where I say FUCK THE PIGS! AND FUCK BEING STRAIGHT EDGE! Anyone who feels so strongly about either position as to beat the shit out of someone or to lable a bunch of kids who dont do anything wrong besides beat people up a gang should all get together and have a HUGE orgy. You guys were meant for eachother. SHUT
show rest of comment
Someone (June 21, 2005)
straight edge: is not a movement or a set of rules. it is an anti-obsession, anti-stupidity, pro-alertness, pro positive thinking idea!
i don't think minor threat is appreciating to what extremes some kids are taking straight edge. i mean, i would consider myself straight edge, but i don't go and beat up people for kicks (that is why video games exist!), and i always seem stoned out of my mind, but i'm not. i'm the first one to get the rest of my friends drunk, because someone's gotta stay sober and get us home or make sure they don't choke on their own tongues. so, yeah, i won't drink or smoke, (but the sex thing is rather stupid), but i won't go stab you because you are. i live in vegas, so reno is quite a drive, but my friends and i have always tried to go to shows there. i'm ashamed of the assholes who go and stab people and beat them up for not believing what the
show rest of comment
madugly13 (July 7, 2005)
I'm from Reno, and I read the artical. I think it's pretty fucking sick that the media changes the way it really is. There is HATE Edge and STRAIGHT Edge. Hate edge is a form of sXe, but isn't simply that. It's violent, and horrid. Straight Edge is a good thing, and shouldn't be treated otherwise. As I say everyday(usually half joking) "Fuck the police". 2+ Replies
shucks (April 17, 2007)
bullshit, straight edge is not a gang
AnnaSather (May 25, 2009)
I know this article is quite old, but I think someone needs to stand up for the Straight edge community here in Reno.
And Let me clarify something right now. When I say straightedge, I mean STRAIGHT EDGE. Not HATE EDGE. I have been claiming straightedge for three years now, and although I'm under drinking age, I don't see myself giving up my values when it becomes legal for me to do so. Although I claim straightedge, I do NOT promote violence. In fact, I think nonviolence should be part of the moral obligations that us members of the straightedge community follow. Furthermore, I am against the intolerance many straightedge people have with those who submit to the lures of drugs, alcohol and promiscuous sex. While claiming straightedge, I have still kept my very best friends who do drugs, drink, and have sex. Though we have very different morals, I'm not going show rest of comment | Features
Previous
Contests
Exclusive StreamsNewest Reviews
Punknews.org TeamManaging EditorAdam WhiteNews EditorsKira WisniewskiBrittany Strummer Andrew Waterfield Katy Hardy Matthew Baldwin Armando Olivas John Flynn Video EditorChris MoranSocial Media EditorJustin AugustCopy EditorAmelia ClineReviews EditorJoe PeloneInterviews EditorRichard VerducciPublisherAubin PaulISSN 1710-5366© Copyright 1999-2012 Punknews.org Other Places to GoPunknews.org Flickr Pool |






Uh...what?