The document provides an overview of gangs, defining what constitutes a gang, the types of gangs, and the common reasons young people join them. It outlines the characteristics of gang members, both male and female, as well as the challenges of exiting gang life and signs of potential gang involvement. Additionally, it offers practical advice for parents to help steer their children away from gang affiliation.

1. Gangs - What You Need to Know
Parent University
March 20, 2015
Heather Kellenberger – Student
Success Coordinator and
Counselor/Hawthorne

2. This is a basic look at gangs and what
adults need to know about them.
• What is a “gang”?
• Are there different types of gangs?
• What are some of the more common gangs?
• How does someone become a member of the gang?
• How does someone get out of a gang?
• Why do young people join gangs?
• Who seems to be at highest risk for joining a gang?
• What do members get out of belonging to a gang?
• Are gang members all the same?
• What are some signs that someone may be involved in a gang?
• Do girls get involved in gangs?
• What is gang graffiti and what should you do about it?
• What do the numbers sometimes found in gang graffiti mean?
• Are there any tips for parents to help their children avoid getting into gangs?

3. http://www.keloland.com/newsd
etail.cfm?Id=0,78592

4. What is a “gang”?
• Gang is defined as three or more people who
associate for the same common purpose. The
behavior of the members, either individually
or collectively, may be disruptive, anti-social
or criminal.

5. Are there different types of gangs?
While gang members may claim that theirs is unique, gangs fall into
one of three categories:
• 1.Traditional. These are the gangs that have multi-
generational members. They are steeped in traditions and are
often referred to as “turf gangs”.
• 2. Non-traditional. These are the gangs that have mainly first
time members in them. Gang members may have different reasons
for belonging to the gang (power, structure, protection, etc). They
are more loosely organized than the traditional gangs.
• 3. Entrepreneur. These are the gangs and/or gang members
who are largely in it for the money. They engage in illegal activities
such as selling drugs, stealing cars or car parts for fencing
operations, etc.

6. What are some of the more common
gangs?
• Probably the most common gangs are the
CRIPS and the BLOODS. Both are Los Angeles
street gangs that grew to prominence in the
1960s. Initially, both gangs were
predominantly made up of black males, but
now include both male and female members
of all races and social classes in every state of
the nation. The Crips and Bloods are rival
gangs.

8. South Dakota gangs..
• The gangs most prominent in the Sioux Falls,
Sioux City and southwestern Minnesota region
are Bloods and Crips, Vice Lords, Latin Kings,
Gangster Disciples (GD), Surenos. The best-
known native gangs – Native Mob and Native
Pride – are prevalent on reservations in North
Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, and
Wisconsin. Wild Boyz, TBZ, Nomads and
Indian Mafia

10. How does someone become a
member of the gang?
• Generally, a person must be “jumped into” a
gang. Jumping in consists of having to fight
multiple gang members at the same time.
Potential members demonstrate courage and
commitment by the manner in which they
fight back. Prior to the actual jumping in, the
potential gang member may be put through
other tests, such as being asked to commit a
specific crime – theft, beating someone up,
etc.

11. How does someone get out of a gang?
• It is often very difficult to get out of a gang.
Gang membership is looked upon as a “for
life” commitment, particularly in traditional
gangs. It is sometimes possible to be “jumped
out” of a gang in the same manner that
members are taken in to the gang in the first
place.

12. Why do young people join gangs?
There are nearly as many reasons as there are gang members. These are some of the most common:
• Pride & respect
• Power
• Protection
• Sense of belonging
• Drugs
• Loyalty
• Money
• Recognition
• Structure, rules, codes
• Sense of direction
• Sense of purpose
• Glamour of the gangster image
• A sense of belonging, being valued
• A sense of competency, having a unique skill
• A sense of usefulness, making a difference
• A sense of personal power, being able to influence others

13. Who seems to be at highest risk for
joining a gang?
The following are marks of high risk for gang involvement:
• Ineffective parental skills
• History of family gang involvement
• Evidence of parental abuse or neglect
• Poor progress or achievement in school
• Low self esteem
• Truancy from school
• Lack of hobbies or something to do with leisure time
• Resentful of authority
• Frequent negative contact with police
• Perception of little caring/acceptance
• Drawing of gang insignias or graffiti
• Problems at home
• Excessive or gang-style tattoos, burns or scars
• Residence in a neighborhood where gangs exist
• Alienation from school, teachers, peers, family, society
• Gang members as friends – seldom alone, often in groups
• Liberal or favorable attitude toward gangs and drugs
• Friends with gangs or people who use drugs
• Early aggressive behavior
• Chronic anger

14. Are gang members all the same?
There are basically four types of gang members:
• Hardcore. These are considered the O.G.s or Original Gangsters. They are in it for life and
have often been in and out of the correction system for various crimes. They have done and
will do anything for the gang (“hope-to-die-for” gang member). Hardcore members make up
about 5-15% of the total gang membership.
• Member. These are people who have gone through the initiation process and have become
part of the gang. They have passed all of the gang requirements and tests and have become
true gangbangers/homeboys/homegirls.
• Associate. These are the people who are closely associated with a certain gang. They may
wear gang colors and may imitate members of a particular gang, but they are not yet official
members. They are the prospects or “wanna be’s” who are trying to get into a gang and will
do anything to be accepted.
• Peripheral. These are the people who hang out with or are friends of gang members but do
not claim any gang affiliation. They find the idea of gang life romantic and exciting.

15. What are some signs that someone
may be involved in a gang?
Gang involvement does not happen overnight. It is a gradual process and if
you are alert you will see the signs.
• Colors – May show subtle or obvious choice of color in clothing or
accessories.

16. –
Graffiti - Unusual signs, symbols, alphabets or
nicknames on notebooks, papers, clothing/arms,
books, etc. Gang graffiti carries an encrypted
message that takes a little deciphering.
• http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/ras
h-of-gang-graffiti-found-in-sioux-falls-
/?id=98906

18. Symbols…

20. Tattoos – Symbols or names tattooed on arms, chest or elsewhere
on body.

23. Signs that someone might be in a gang
• Initiations – Suspicious or otherwise unexplained bruises, wounds, burns, or injuries may be a result of
gang initiation ceremonies.
• Behavior Change – Sudden mood or behavior changes, drop in grades, secretiveness, change in friends,
truancy.
• Right/Left Rule – Apparel worn in a specific manner, either right or left, to show gang affiliation. Examples:
glove worn on one hand, pocket hanging out on one side, pant leg cuffed or pulled up on one leg, bill of
hat to one side, etc.
• Jewelry – Friendship beads in gang colors; pendants, rings and pins that display gang symbols (like the Star
of David); a lot of gold chains.
• Clothing – Jogging suits in gang colors; pro-team clothing items and hats; hood of sweatshirt out over
jacket to show colors; hats tilted to one direction; a particular brand of clothing or shoes.
• Hairstyles/fingernails – Designs cut into hair; colored beads/barrettes; colored streaks on side of head;
pony tail/braids with colored rubber bands; picks or combs in bead or hair (front or back/left or right.
Nails – 2 nails with gang colors on left or right hand, nail on pinky finger left long.
• Gang look – Posture, walk, stance; dress in colors/styles/symbols.
• Milling – gathering/hanging out, especially where there is an audience.
• Not all these signs show up in every gang member; and not everyone who adopts some of these signs is in
a gang. These are tip-offs, though, for a need to find out more.

24. Do girls get involved in gangs?
• At one time, girls assumed subservient roles in
gangs. Frequently, they were used to carry
weapons, drugs and other contraband because
they were less likely to be searched by the police.
Often, gang members used them for sex.
Females could not be full-fledged gang members.
Times have changed, however. Females not only
have their own gangs, but also often enjoy full
membership in what were once exclusively male
gangs. Female gangs and/or gang members are
often very violent – frequently even more so than
male gang members.

26. Are there any tips for parents to help
their children avoid getting into gangs?
• Know your children’s friends – and their parents.
• Encourage your children and their friends to spend supervised time at your home.
• Occupy your children’s free time in positive ways.
• Develop positive lines of communication with your children.
• Learn to listen.
• Spend time with your children.
• Set limits for your children.
• Ask questions – and expect answers.
• Become informed about issues that may affect your children.
• Talk to other parents.
• Ask questions.
• Become an active participant in the education of your children.
• Participate in the community; teach your children civic pride and positive community involvement.
• Be a positive role model.

27. Tips continued…
• Be an active, not a passive, parent.
• Hug your children.
• Say “I love you”.
• Organize or take part in neighborhood block parties.
• Encourage your children to participate in family activities.
• Encourage your children to become involved in sports, scouts, clubs, etc.
• Establish and enforce home rules.
• Spend quality time with your children.
• Communicate openly with your children and their friends.
• Communicate with parents of your children’s friends.
• Know about who and what influences your kids.
• Know what your children are doing at all times.
• Set the example for your kids–they will do what you do.
• Believe in your young person.