Gang activity is a serious and complex subject. Causes, strategies and solutions for this social aberration are debated widely throughout the country, with no clear solution in sight. Why is this subject so controversial? After all, youth gangs are nothing new; they were documented in our country’s earliest days. Why are parents, teachers, police officers, and others now so concerned? The answer lies in this simple equation

Although today’s gang members make up less than 1% of the country’s population, they are responsible for a disproportionate amount of violent crimes committed, crimes such as murder, narcotics sales, robberies and drive-by shootings. These crimes are not only directed at rival gangs, but also at the general public. Sadly, many victims are innocent bystanders. In the past 10 years, juvenile arrest for weapons charges have increased 103%. The number of juveniles arrested for murder has tripled since 1984. Thirty years ago, gang activity was reported in only 23 U.S. cities. Today, gangs have been identified throughout the United States, from small rural hamlets to large urban areas. (Statistics from U.S. Dept. of Justice.) Today’s gang members occupy all social, economic and ethnic levels in the community.

A gang may be defined as a group of three or more individuals who have a name or identifiable leadership, associate on regular basis, and engage in delinquent and /or criminal activities. The group may claim a geographic area and/or an economic or criminal enterprise. The term "gang" may also be used in a broad sense to denote a particular allegiance. For instance, many gangs claim to be "Crips." The term Crips evolved from one initial gang in Los Angeles, which led many other gangs, or "sets" calling themselves variations of the name, e.g. Hoover Crips, Main Street Crips, 8/3 Crips, etc. Some well known gang allegiances are Crips, Bloods, Folk, People and Family. Each of these categories have many "sets." A gang may also form around a shared philosophy. Skinhead gangs, for example, usually contain members who share a common hatred for minorities, homosexuals, and people of the Jewish heritage.

846,000 Gang Members

31,000 Identified Gangs

Gang members will usually dress in a particular style that is identifiable with their particular gang. The style may be subtle, such as a particular color of socks, jewelry, or other similar item, or the style may be blatant. such as wearing a jacket or hat embroidered with the gang’s name. Remember, though, that gang styles of clothing are also popular with many teens so care must be taken to assess the context and situation. Just because a young man or woman is wearing an athletic jacket, sagging pants, and baseball cap turned backwards does not mean that person is in a gang!

WHY ARE GANGS SPREADING SO RAPIDLY

MIGRATION: In a simple analogy, think of a gang member as a cancer cell. A gang member may move to another state, and infect new members. As more people are infected and join the gang, the progression grows from a single cell to a tumor. The tumor eventually infects the entire body. (The gang situations in Southern California and Chicago is a good example of this process.) Ironically, some gangs have spread with the unwitting aid of concerned parents, who move to "non-gang" areas to remove their children from what they perceive as a dangerous neighborhood. The children bring the gang lifestyle with them, and "infect" new members, which continues the deadly cycle.

PROFIT: Many gangs are involved in illegal criminal enterprises. Profits can be considerable, and are a powerful incentive to recruit members.

In a twisted way, gang criminal enterprise mimic the "American Dream" of building and running a successful business. Gang crimes commonly seen include sale and distribution of narcotics, assaults and drive-by shootings, burglaries and other property crimes, extortion, and auto theft.

GLAMORIZATION BY THE MEDIA: The gang lifestyle has become popular, thanks in part to motion pictures, magazines, and "gangster rap" music. Gang clothing styles, slang. and movies have moved into popular culture.

Just who are these gang members? New members are usually middle-school age or older. They may come from any ethnic or societal background. They often have poor self-esteem, have experienced little adult guidance and participation in their lives, and lack a sense of social responsibility. They may join a gang for excitement, attention, protection, recognition, financial profit, peer pressure or family tradition, or a combination of these factors.

Gang members usually fall into three categories: original gangsters; gangsters; and baby gangsters. Original gangsters members are the core founders of the group. They have established reputation for criminal acts and violence. They are often referred to as "O.G.’s" and function as role models for younger members. Gangster members are often the most visible, active and violent. They strive to establish a reputation for criminal acts and violence so that they, too, may achieve "O.G." status. Baby gangsters members are just beginning to dabble in the gang culture. They have adopted the gang style of dress and mannerisms, but are not official members.

They generally associate with one or more members on a semi-regular basis. Baby gangsters are commonly referred to as "wannabes." However, this is a misleading term that can lead to a false sense of complacency. Baby gangsters often attempt to emulate established gangsters by committing violent acts to gain gang status. This frequently makes their behavior both violent and unpredictable

GRAFFITI

Most gangs claim a specific geographic area, and will identify this area with scrawled graffiti. Graffiti serves several purposes-it lays claim to an area, may serve as a warning or threat to other gangs, and is used as means of communication, e.g. a "street newspaper." Graffiti is a fascinating and ever-changing phenomenon. When graffiti is examined closely, one may often discover the nicknames of the gang’s members.. Graffiti is also used to cross-out graffiti written by other gangs, both an insult and a challenge. In fact, the crossing-out of rival gang graffiti often leads to retaliatory drive-by shootings.

"Tagger" graffiti differs from traditional gang graffiti. Taggers are youthful artist who "decorate" walls, fences and vehicles with their designs as a mean to receive personal recognition. Many times, their art (for this is how they view it) is elaborate and stylized, and they are known for their colorful murals. However, when taggers put their "tags" (graffiti) in traditional gang territory, it can result in acts of retaliatory violence. Because of this, some taggers now carry guns to defend their creations.

Gang members have learned that wearing one primary color, such as red or blue, makes them too identifiable. Therefore, they have shifted to wearing sports team clothing to identify their particular gang set. To a gang member, these articles of clothing have a specific meaning. Here are some examples of this association:

This is just a partial list of clothing with gang associations. Remember that athletic logos are popular with many people who have NO GANG AFFILIATION, so each situation must be examined on its own circumstances.

Members of a gang often display (or "throw" as they refer to it) hand signs. These signs may be compared to American Sign Language, although the content is much different. Generally, gang members will form initials that are specific to the person’s set.

The American entertainment industry has helped to spread the gang lifestyle. Unfortunately, the rush to make money has overshadowed the risks associated with providing this type of material. Gangster rap, for instance, is available at most music stores in the country. Have you ever listened to the lyrics of these songs? This is music about the violent gang lifestyle, and it’s often sung by former and present gang members. This music, which is very popular with gang members, has helped to spread the gang culture across the country. Children often listen to this violent and profanity-filled music, then attempt to imitate the criminal activity detailed in the songs.

Gang members have their own language of slang. Many terms used originally by gang members have moved into everyday language. Here are some slang terms and definitions.

Those under 18 years of age actually comprise a minority of gang membership. The average ages of gang members are 14-24 years of age. The older gang members are normally is a position of leadership.

Gang members usually spray their bullets over a large area when they’re shooting. This has resulted in the wounding and killing of many innocent bystanders. Gang members are also known to commit their crimes in a violent and intimidating manner, which often causes both physical and emotional harm to their victims, many of whom are innocent citizens.

Some gang may not claim a specific area, while others may operate in multiple locations or even in unsuspecting small cities. Middle and upper-class gangs very seldom claim a specific area, but float around from one member’s house to another. They may also congregate at popular teen hang-outs such as game rooms, shopping malls, and skating rinks.

Female are joining gangs in record numbers, and often equal male members in their violence and ferocity. In the past, females may have served as gang auxiliary members, but that’s no longer the case. All-female gangs now exist.

This is a stereotype perpetuated by the media. In reality, a gang member will use any firearm he can get his/her hands on. Many of these weapons are stolen in residential burglaries. Gang members prefer sophisticated firearms, but they’ll use whatever’s available. Guns give a gang member status, particularly if it’s an Uzi, AK-47, 9mm, or .45. Members will often hide these weapons in the family home.

Most gangs are loosely-knit, and often have several so-called leaders. Gang leadership can change from day-to-day, and sometimes depends on who’s strongest at one particular time.

Graffiti serves as a form of intimidation and control, and serves as the gang’s newspaper. It’s also a blight on the community, and has a negative impact on property values and commerce.

Incarceration of hard-core gang members has not proven to be an effective method of ending gang activity. Prisons/juvenile facilities often serve as training schools for crime.

Gangs are everyone’s problem. It doesn’t matter what your age is or where you live-chances are good that gang activity will affect you, since gangs are claiming more and more neighborhoods and victims each year. Gang activity is hazardous to everyone’s health!

Prevention begins at home. If you believe your child is involved with a gang, here are some strategies: Educate yourself about gang behavior. Go to the library; research gangs on the internet; learn about the violent lyrics in gangster’s rap music.

Talk to your child, and take time to listen to what your child is telling you.

Encourage open communication, and don’t be embarrassed to discuss gangs, crime, drugs, sex, and peer pressure.

Keep track of whom your child’s friends are. Discourage your child from hanging around with gang members.

Keep your child busy - occupy their free time with constructive activities.

Get them involved with athletics, volunteerism, or other wholesome activities of interest to him/her. Help your child develop a sense of belonging, and be involved in activities together.

Monitor the clothes your child wears, and the music that he/she’s listening to.

Don’t allow them to purchase gangster rap music, and do not allow them to dress in gangster-style clothing, since this may place them in danger of being mistaken for a gang member.

Become involved in your child’s education. Let your local schools know about any concerns you may have.

Schools officials also need to be involved in prevention. Schools should be gang-free environment. Here are some strategies for school personnel:

As the presenter, we hope the information in this brochure has helped to answer some of your questions about gangs. We encourage you to learn more about the subject. As the saying goes, "knowledge is power." We want to leave you with this message:

Please feel free to contact us at WWW.GLIGIC.ORG for any questions.

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