Office of the State’s Attorney for Montgomery County
Douglas F. Gansler, State’s Attorney

• WARNING SIGNS
  • You should be concerned if your child:
  • Or there is the appearance of:
• TELL YOUR CHILDREN THEY SHOULD NOT:
• TIPS FOR PARENTS
• TIPS FOR PARENTS/EDUCATORS
• GANG INVESTIGATORS

WARNING SIGNS — back to top

You should be concerned if your child:

• Admits to gang involvement;
• Is obsessed with one particular color of clothing or shows a desire for a particular logo over and over;
• Wears sagging pants (this in and of itself is not indicative of gang activity);
• Wears excessive jewelry with distinctive designs and may wear it only on either the right or left side of the body;
• Is obsessed with gangster-influenced music, videos and movies to the point of imitation;
• Withdraws from family with an accompanying change in demeanor;
• Associates with undesirable friends and breaks parental rules consistently;
• Develops an unusual desire for privacy and secrecy and may completely rearrange living quarters to create privacy;
• Uses hand signs while with friends and practices them at home;

Or there is the appearance of:

• Physical injury (such as being beaten) and then child lies about the events surrounding the injury:
• Peculiar drawings or language on school books (may appear later as tattoos or brands);
• Unexplained cash or goods, such as clothing or jewelry;
• Possible use of alcohol and drugs with attitude change.

TELL YOUR CHILDREN THEY SHOULD NOT: — back to top

• Associate with any gang members or “wannabe/gonnabe” gang members;
• Identify or communicate with gangs;
• Hang out near or where gangs congregate;
• Approach strangers in cars who appear to want information or directions;
• Wear gang related clothing where gangs are known to gather or traverse;
• Wear initialed clothing such as BK – British Knights – a/k/a “Blood Killer” in high crime areas;
• Use words like “crab” or “slob” (localized lingo may develop) anywhere gangs may be; i.e. malls, sporting events, etc.;
• Attend any party or social event sponsored by gangs or their associates;
• Take part in any graffiti activity or hang around where graffiti is present; or
• Use any kind of finger or sign language in a public place.

TIPS FOR PARENTS — back to top

• Impress upon your child the importance of school and good grades
• Spend quality time with your children
• Get involved in your child’s school activities
• Establish rules, set limits and be consistent, firm and fair in punishment
• Encourage good study habits
• Respect your child’s feelings and attitudes and help them develop self-esteem
• Watch closely for negative influences
• Improve your own self-esteem so your children can model themselves after the most important “role model”—YOU.

TIPS FOR PARENTS/EDUCATORS — back to top

• Help children develop self control
• Help children deal appropriately with problems
• Get involved in community oriented prevention and intervention programs. Urge others to become involved. Volunteer at your child’s school. Gangs are a community problem and their influence does not stop at any particular boundary.
• Listen to your children. Communicate with them about their concerns and fears.

• Rockville Michele Eauclaire: 301 279-1591

• Bethesda Kathryn Beard: 301 657-0609

• Silver Spring Dylan Morris: 301 565-7744

• Wheaton Robert Musser: 240 773-5570

• Germantown Derrick Davis: 301 840-2650

• Montgomery Village: Chad Garnes 240 773-5762

• Gaithersburg City Pat Word: 301 258-6400

• Rockville City: 301 309-3100

• Takoma Park City: 301 891-7141

• State’s Attorney’s Office Jeffrey Wennar: 240 777-7321