news-record.com

Some presumably decent and well-meaning people are keeping alive a dubious e-mail that warns of deadly gang initiation rites in the Triad.

As a condition for joining the notorious national gang MS-13, the e-mail soberly reports, young thugs ages 13-19 were driving up beside cars at intersections, coaxing them to roll down their windows to answer a request for directions — and then shooting them.

"THIS IS REAL," the e-mail advises in big, red letters at the top.

NO, IT IS NOT.

Police confirm that the e-mail is bogus and has been nationally circulated for quite some time now. Which means someone around here went to the trouble of adding local details to the e-mail to make it seem more authentic.

For instance, the e-mail here claims to be based on a tip by a concerned Greensboro firefighter and links the gang initiation shootings to a real-life incident in a Greensboro restaurant on Dec. 8. Further, it ties its fanciful narrative to the family member of a friend ... of a friend. "A girl I work with has an acquaintance whose husband was shot at on Highway 68 last week," the e-mail says.

Police want "to keep it quiet," the e-mail adds, "because they don’t want everyone to panic. "

Why someone would find so much satisfaction in making up this stuff is hard to grasp, if not all that unusual. More myths and legends are floating around today in cyberspace than any ancient Greek or Roman probably ever dreamt of. (Remember those doctored photos depicting dog-sized spiders attacking soldiers in Iraq?)

Ironically, the threat of gang violence is real and growing locally. Reckless misinformation can muddle genuine facts about the problem and the keys to addressing it.

So, pass suspicious e-mails to the police.

Attend helpful forums about youth violence.

Take proper precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones.

But don’t take suspicious e-mails as gospel.