This document discusses ways to prevent gang involvement in communities. It emphasizes the importance of education, awareness, and involvement from families, communities, governments, and individuals. It outlines some common reasons why people join gangs, such as a need for identity, belonging, and protection. The social impacts of gangs on communities are discussed, including increased deviant behavior and a loss of security for residents. The document provides suggestions for actions individuals, parents, organizations, and communities can take to address gang issues and support at-risk youth.

1. Together, we CAN make a difference!

2. PREVENTI ON, I NTERVENTI ON,
SUPPRESSI ON
 Education, Education, Education
 Awareness and Involvement
 Who?
 Families
 Community at large
 Government
 i.e., Everyone!
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3. W DOES SOM
HY EONE JOI N?
 Identity, Recognition , Belonging
 Discipline, Love, Money & Power
 Protection, Social and emotional support
 Unstable home environment
 Broken home, Access to drugs, Fear
 Violent parents and/or family members
 A family tradition
 Fear
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4. SOCI AL I MPACT ON A
COM UNI TY
M
 Gangs provide an environment in which deviant and
illegal behaviors are learned and improved upon, and
techniques for avoiding detection are learned.*
 Gangs also reinforce deviant, anti-social, and illegal
behavior among their members and promote socially
irresponsible values, attitudes and beliefs.*
 Parents of gang members are losing their children.*
 People who are residents in gang neighborhoods are
likely to lose any sense of security and they will likely be
victimized directly or indirectly.*
*Copyright, 2002 Dr. Michael Carlie, Into the Abyss
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5. COM ON M
M YTHS ABOUT GANGS
 My gang will be just like a family
 My gang will protect me; I will feel safe
 Other people will respect me more if I am in a
gang
 Joining a gang means lots of friends
 There are no all-girl gangs
 I'll make lots of money if I'm in a gang
 I can never get out of my gang
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6. WA C
H T AN P EN D ?
AR TS O
 Talk to your children about gangs
 Teach children how to deal with peer pressure
 Set firm limits and use consistent discipline
 Limit /monitor children’s exposure to violence in TV,
video games and music
 Plan family time
 Lead by example:
 Community pride
 Respect for others and their property
 Encourage involvement in athletics and other
health-oriented activities to help develop a sense of
belonging
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7. WHAT CAN I DO?
 Educate yourself – be aware of what is going on
 Don’t be afraid to become involved
 Be a tattletale – Please!
 Tell a friend
 Tell a neighbor
 Tell the police – call immediately if there is an incident
 Invite us to come give this presentation to others
 Join us – share your gifts and talents
 Promote positive youth development – be inclusive
 Get involved in the community
 Attend Apopka Citizen Police Academy
 Start a Neighborhood Watch program
 Clean up your neighborhood or Adopt-A-Road
 Create a graffiti clean-up program
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8. WHAT ORGANI ZATI ONS CAN
DO
 Provide volunteer opportunities for youth
 Share with us your resources available for at-
risk you.
 Share your message with and through
Apopka United Against Gangs.
 Provide mentoring and/or internship
opportunities for at-risk youth.
 Keep us informed of new resources,
programs, etc. that your organization offers
for at-risk youth.
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9. GET I NVOLVED W TH
I
APOPKA UNI TED AGAI NST GANGS
 Visit our web site at: apopkauag.com
 Send us emails at: apopkauag@gmail.com
 Share your comments on our blog
 Join our Community Information Database
 Attend town hall meetings and workshops
 Spread the word
 Become a mentor for at-risk youth
 Invite us to speak to your club or organization
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10. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
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