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Gangs
- 2. There is nonationally accepted definition but most agree on the following elements: A group of three or more people. These people share a common identifying sign, symbol, or name. Gang members individually or collectively engage in an ongoing pattern of criminal or delinquent activity. They are often between 12 and 24 years old.
- 3. Most gangs, thenbut not all, are involved in violence, drug sales, carrying guns, and other criminal acts. Gangs are more likely to be present in schools that are located within central cities with populations between 100,000 and 1 million, but juvenile gang problems affect communities of all sizes and in all regions of the United States. Gang member tend to be those for whom family and school environments have not worked. One half to two thirds of the youth join gangs are members for 1 year or less. The race or ethnicity of gang members is reflected by the composition of the community. •Gang members are white in primarily white communities and are African American in predominantly African American communities. Students who join gangs tend to be already delinquent, but dramatically increase their criminal activity during their gang membership. Frequent association with delinquent peers is one of the strongest pridictors (or risk factors) of gang membership. Los Angeles and Chicago have the highest rates of gang homicides in the nation. The schools that contain gangs are characterized by high levels of student victimization, numerous security measures, and large number or readily available drugs. The high level victimization in schools are not strongly reflected in the community, suggesting “that the school environment makes a unique contribution to the criminal victimization of adolescents.
- 4. More students report knowinga student who brought a gun to campus, or seeing a gun on campus. More students report that drugs are (marijuana, cocain, crack, or uppers/downers) available at school. The likelihood of violent victimization at school more than doubles. Gang Violence occurs more frequently in heavily populated urban areas. There are more than 24,500 active gangs in the United States Males make up 94% of all gang members The cost of gang violence exceeds $100 Bil/yr Males under the age of 18 make up about 37% of gang members Hispanics and African Americans are at greatest risk of becoming vulnerable to gang membership
- 5. Experiencing a sudden dropin grades and a lack of interest in school. Acquiring new friends who are “questionable” character in the eyes of the parents. Being secretive/ defensive about activities with friends. Disengaging from family. Encountering delinquency issues with the police. Engaging in out of control behavior such as ignoring curfews, running away, and defiant. Flashing hand signs (hand gestures) to friends or even when alone. Changing manner or dress, and adopting gang-style clothing, jewelry, and/or tattoos. Having gang graffiti or symbols on personal property Changing a nickname to something more acceptable to a gang. Having an unexplained increase in personal monetary income. Possessing drugs or other controlled substances Experiences changes in health that may be due to drug/alcohol abuse. Receiving unexplained threats/message s from caller who refuse to identify themselves. Refusing to account for time spent away from how.
- 6. Individual factors •Problem behaviors inschools •Impulsiveness •Negative life events •Abouse •Victimization Family factors •Divorce •Family transition •Disengaged parenting •Inconsistant rules •Poor parental supervision School factors •Poor school performance •Low school attachment •Constant supervision/expulsions •Being labled as slow learners Community factors •Poverty •Neighborhood disorganization •Segregation •High crime •marginalization • Early aggressive behaviors (2nd – 3rd graders) • Stealing • Lying • Fighting • Blaming others
- 7. Living in anarea with a high level of gang activity, drug/alcohol use, available firearms. Lack of a positive support system at home. Violence against family members. Exposure to tv shows, movies, and/or music that glorifies music. Lack of alternative activities, such as community youth programs. Lack of positive role models. Low self-esteem and/or a sense of hopelessness. Poor decision making and communication skills. Too much unsupervised free time. Poor school achievement. Problematic child-parent relationship. Lack or respect for authority (parents, teachers, law enforcement officers) Family members who are or were gang members.
- 8. HOW TO HELPYOUTH STAY OUT OF GANGS Provide opportunities where youth can safely talk about experience. Help youth become re- engaged in school. Anticipate reminders of traumatic events and provide support. Teach techniques to help over whelming feelings. Get youth involved in positive causes. MOST IMPORTANTLY: SHOW YOU CARE!! Recognize that disruptive behaviors are often the result of trauma. Set clear, firm limits. Instill hope for the future by helping them set goals. Create safe environments for youth that include normal routines and predicable outomes. Provide choices that give them a sense of control. Show genuine interest in youth.
- 10. GANG PREVENTION PROGRAMS &RESOURCES
- 11. AN INTERVIEW WITHA FRIEND I asked a really good friend of mine about his experiences when he went to school in East Los Angeles. This is the conversation that we had.
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