All About Gangs

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All About Gangs
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What is a gang?

• A gang is a group of three or more persons who
  have a common identifying sign, symbol, or name
  who individually or collectively engage in or
  have engaged in, criminal activity which creates
  and atmosphere of fear and intimidation. Criminal
  activity includes juvenile acts that if committed
  by an adult would be a crime.

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About Gangs

• Gangs can be organized around race or ethnic
  group, money making activities, or territory.
• Gangs usually claim a particular area of town
  which they call their "turf. " They spend much of
  their time fighting rival gangs to keep them out
  of this territory.
• Most gang members are males ranging in age from 8
  to 22 years old. Females, especially Asian and
  Hispanic, are moving away from the traditional
  role of being merely girlfriends of gang members
  and are forming their own gangs.

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About Gangs

• Gangs wear particular items, styles, brands, or
  colors of clothing. Some gangs wear bandannas of
  a certain color or baseball caps of a specific
  team. Some gangs mark their bodies with tattoos
  with their gang symbol or name.
• Gangs often use special hands signs or handshakes
  to tell others the gang to which they belong.
• "Gangsta " rap paints a realistic picture of
  daily gang activity. The lyrics glorify violence,
  abuse of women, and disrespect for authority,
  especially the police.
• Contrary to what you may think, gangs are not
  around to help you. These groups of young people
  break the law, beat up people, and murder.

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Why Kids Join Gangs

• There are different reasons for different kids
• Some are drawn by parties, girls, drugs.
• Some are looking for a sense of respect and
  power.
• Some find a feeling of caring and attention in a
  gang. It becomes almost a family to them.
• Some want to make money -- to help out at home or
  to have nice clothes, etc.

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Why Kids Join Gangs

• Different reasons for different kids cont.
• Some join for self protection because they are
  picked on by other gangs.
• Some grow up in a neighborhood where it is almost
  a way of life.
• Most have some real or imagined problem at home
  that makes them prefer the streets.

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Why Gangs Become Violent

• Young people engaged in illegal activity often
  carry weapons for protection.
• Violence takes place in retaliation for real or
  perceived wrongs by another gang.
• Retaliation may target ANY member of a gang, not
  necessarily the offending individual.
• Once a climate of war exists between two gangs,
  violence may be continual.
• Once recognized as a gang member a young person
  is in serious danger of being hurt or killed.

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How Can I Tell if My Kid is in a Gang?

• If you are afraid that your kid is in a gang,
  he/she probably is.It is better to try to
  protect a kid who doesn't need it-- than to bury
  a kid who tried to hide the truth from his
  parents.
• Does he have tattoos of something that looks like
  a gang name or insignia?
• Does he have extra money sometimes and try to
  explain it with stories you have trouble
  believing?
• Do you notice changes in wardrobe, attitude, and
  tastes in music and cars?

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How Can I Tell if My Kid is in a Gang?

• Do you notice changes in wardrobe, attitude, and
  tastes in music and cars?
• Does he collect bandanas of a particular color
  and favor that color in his clothes?
• Does he go out late at night sometimes, or not
  come home for several days?
• Is he getting in a lot more fights?Is he doing
  worse at school and "ditching" school from time
  to time?

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How to Help Your Kid

• Take action early. The longer a kid is in a
  gang, the harder it is to stop.
• Talk with your son/daughter And try to really
  listen.
• Let him know that you care. Give him a hug
  sometimes. Praise the things he does right.
• Take a firm stand against illegal activity.A
  little stealing or dealing will put him in a
  situation that could get him killed.Never accept
  money or gifts that may have been obtained
  illegally!

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How to Help Your Kid

• Provide a good example.
• Try to get into family counseling.While the
  problem may not be yours, it can best be worked
  out as a family.
• If you or your spouse DO have a problem with
  drugs, alcohol, or anger, get help!If your child
  chooses a gang because of problems at home, his
  life will be at risk!
• Encourage him to become active in a church
  group.

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Links to Gang Info

• Bloods Crips
• East Coast Crips
• Latin Kings
• Neta
• Five Percent Nation

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Educational Info

• Gangs, Guns Drugsan educational video (22
  Minutes)WMV RM
• Links to other sites full of INFO!
• Gangs War
• Gangs R Us
• Gang Reduction through Intervention