Gangs & Violence

1. Gangs &Violence

2. What is a Gang?? THREE or MORE persons having a common identifying sign or symbol or an identifiable leadership who continuously or regularly associate in criminal activities Hanging out with gang members is one of the strongest predictors of gang membership!

3. Why do People Join a GaNG? • Can meet needs that go unfulfilled in other aspects of a child’s life • A sense of security, structure, belonging & discipline that is missing at home • Appear loyal when others are not • Lack of positive influence & interaction w/parents & adult role models • Offer powerful group identity • May offer protection • May seem attractive to kids who are bored, lack outside interests & direction, or low self-esteem

4. Other Reasons… • Money • Respect • To Fit In • For Fun • Sibling/Relative in a Gang • Forced to Join

5. Stats • More than 24,500 youth gang groups in the country • More than 772, 500 teens & young adults who are members of gangs • Most gang members are between 12-24 years old • Gang members are more likely to commit violent crimes • Ex. Denver, CO…only 14% gang members, but they were responsible for over 89% of serious, violent crime

6. Levels of Involvement • Fantasy-admires perception of gang lifestyle, but limited knowledge • Fringe-Knows gang members 1st hand & admires them • Associates-Regularly associates w/gang members; gang activity is normal, serious about joining a gang • Member-official gang member; Limited to associating with gang members & family only; Participates in Criminal Activity • Hardcore-Rejects anything but gang lifestyle, will commit any act with approval or demand from gang; Rejects any authority outside of gang. • Leader-usually an adult who controls gang policy and activities; hands out rewards & punishment; excessive criminal history

7. Gang Characteristics • Proud-Always walk with a sense of pride • Tradition- Love to listen to “war” stories • Aggressive- Any means necessary • Commitment- Little kids learning gang life • Honor- Respect “war” stories & scars • Organization- Conducts meetings/Hold court • Code of Silence & Respect- Respect elders • Territorial- Claim parts of school/neighborhood

8. Recruitment Techniques • Senior gang members usually try to recruit individuals from the neighborhood where the gang hangs out or claims. • Gangs may recruit youth by threatening their safety or their family members’ safety. • Offering individuals a quick way to make money by performing an illegal activity such as selling drugs. • Influencing other family members to become gang members thus creating an intergenerational transmission of gang membership. • Informing individuals that a gang member’s life is exciting and pleasurable to potential members. • Older gang members are even known to hang outside schools to recruit gang members. Leaving a gang can mean getting beaten on sight or worse

9. Things Gangstas Don’t tell you about Gangsta life… • The gangsta world is a fantasy land. • You will be involved in a big fight. • You will be lied to. • You can go to prison • You will get tired of looking over your shoulder. • You will be fooled into trying to trying to prove yourself • You NEVER forget when you have been evil. • You are always one breath away from death. • You will have F.E.A.R.

10. Graffiti • Often referred to as the “newspaper of the streets” • Names the gang, members, & territory • Roll call- names of members on wall • Serves as a warning to rival gangs • Special writing + certain gang • Different alphabet + certain gang • Logos, symbols, colors + certain gang

13. Nortenos

15. Surenos

17. Bloods

19. Crips

21. Latin Kings

23. La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)

26. Gangs in our Communities Tango Blast

32. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyXWTt2CEsg

33. True Friendship http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=1667