FACTS ON GANGS
What Every Citizen Should Know

WHAT IS A GANG?

A gang is commonly thought of as a self-formed association of peers who are involved in criminal activity.  The official definition is: A formal or informal ongoing organization, association, or group of three or more persons who: have a common name or common identifying signs, colors or symbols and; have members or associates who, individually or collectively, engage in or have engaged in a pattern of criminal street gang activity. 

WHO JOINS GANGS?

Gang members generally range in age from 13-21 years old, but can be as young as 9 years old.  Those who join gangs often have low self-esteem, feel unloved at home, do poorly in school, and have a hard time making decisions and communicating with others.  Many come from single parent homes.  Most gang members are boys, but 10% of all gang members are girls and the number is growing. 

WHY DO KIDS JOIN GANGS?

Kids join gangs for many reasons, and each case is individual.  However, reasons include: excitement and fun, a sense of belonging, companionship, peer pressure, attention or status, financial gain, intimidation, protection, and a failure to realize what being in a gang means.  Living in a gang-infested area or having a family member in a gang increases the possibility of a kid joining one. 

WHAT RISK FACTORS LEAD TO GANG MEMBERSHIP?

Upon joining a gang, new members immediately inherit the hate from rival gangs.  Feuds between gangs result in injury or even death to the members involved.  This violence extends to the families of gang members who may also be in danger for their own safety.  Another consequence of joining a gang is the risk involved in leaving the gang.  Along with membership initiation comes an exiting ritual, and in some national gangs, leaving the gang is forbidden. 

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Stay informed, involved, and aware.  Help your children to choose to refuse gang membership by becoming more involved in their lives, by building self-esteem at home, and by working to combat the gang problem in your community.  See other side for SIGNS OF POSSIBLE GANG INVOLVEMENT and who to contact.

SIGNS OF POSSIBLE GANG INVOLVEMENT

1.                 Sudden poor school grades and disinterest in school.
2.                 Withdrawn from family activities.
3.                 Use of unknown vocabulary (gangs may have many slang words).
4.                 Sudden change in friends.
5.                 Evidence of drug abuse.
6.                 Sudden affluence.
7.                 Use of hand signs.
8.                 Desire for excessive privacy.
9.                 Having a new nickname.
10.               Developing a bad attitude towards family, school, and authorities.
11.               Purchase or desire to buy clothing of all one color or style.
12.               Wearing altered headwear (gang members often put gang information
                   on the inside band of ball caps).
13.              Changing appearance with special haircuts, eyebrow markings or
                   tattoos.
14.              Use of gang graffiti on folders, desks, walls, and buildings.
15.              Staying out later than usual.

USEFUL INFORMATION FOR AUTHORITIES

ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN:
1.                 Gang Name
2.                 Individuals nickname
3.                 Length of time in gang
4.                 Initiation rituals
5.                 Gang hangouts
6.                 Gang leader(s)
7.                 Signs, symbols, tags/graffiti, tattoos and/or colors used by the gang

WHO TO CONTACT 

      School counselor

      Social services agencies

      Health professionals

      Clergy

      Counselors

Local Police gang unit  (Call your District Station)