Gangs
What are gangs?
Gangs are groups of people:
- Who have a common name or color or other similarity
- Who engage (either as a group or as an individual) in active street crime.
Who is in a gang?
A gang consists of a leader who is surrounded by a group of close associates. These associates may be referred to as generals or council members. Below these associates are the street soldiers or enforcers who are directly involved with defending the "turf", handling street level drug transactions, marking areas with graffiti, and recruiting new members.
The leader usually controls the gang from inside a prison and will issue orders by using phone and visitor privileges.
Why do people join a gang?
People join gangs for a multitude of reasons. The most prominent of these reasons is a need for love which most gangs provide. (These things are very lacking in most children's lives.) They also join gangs because:
- The security that gangs provide from real or imagined enemies.
- Acceptance for people who have trouble making friends.
- Self-esteem for people who are picked on. The gang backs them up and prevents them from being harassed.
- A gang provides people with money and a criminal reputation.
What do gangs do?
Gang members do a multitude of criminal activities. These range from grafitti to assaulting people to robbing stores to buying and selling drugs.
How can I recognize a gang member?
Gangs can usually be identified with 4 signs. These are hand signs, graffiti, jewelry and tattoos. Each gang has its own signs and will use them to certify membership with its own group. You can identify someone in a gang by recognizing the symptoms. Some of these symptoms are:
- Graffiti on the youth's belongings, such as notebooks, jackets, clothing or room.
- Tattoos or ink drawings of gang symbols on skin.
- Sudden increase in youth's material possessions. (If parent didn't buy it and the youth doesn't work, how did they get it?)
- Consistent wearing of same color combinations, which also matches friends clothing colors. Also the consistent wearing of sports team apparel. Look for writings on the bill of caps or the changing of colors of the original apparel.
- Secrecy about activities or time away from home.
- New and strange friends or associates.
- Clothing representing specifically to one side, either right or left, such as hats tilted or pants legs rolled up.
- Major changes in social habits (e.g., low school grades, lack of interest in school activities, change of peer groups)
- Involvement in drugs: sales, possession, or use.
- Negative contact with law enforcement.
- Adopting a street name or moniker.
- Possession or use of weapons.
- Wearing bandanas or other similar colored items.
How can someone prevent gangs?
Education: Knowledge of gangs and their symbols, signs, colors, and graffiti will help citizens to help law enforcement, in combating gang problems.
Community Involvement: The community provides the best assistance we can receive. If you see any type of gang activity in your neighborhood, report it to law enforcement. Be willing and prepared to testify in court if necessary.
Parental Support: Spend time with your children. Plan family activities. Take time to discuss gangs with your children--listen, don't lecture. Know your child's friends. Be aware. If your child is bordering on becoming a gang member or is already a gang member, get help now. Don't wait; it will only increase the problem.
