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World Finals |
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Your attendance is desired at the 2006
Beat The Heat World Finals on September
15-16, 2006 at Houston Raceway Park.
Wanted Poster |
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Raid Planned |
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Officers are planning a raid on Houston
Raceway Park.
more |
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Notice |
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Our program is supported only by
donations. If you are interested in
offering support or learning more about
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FACTS ON GANGS
What Everyone Needs to Know
What Are Gangs?
Gangs are groups of people who form an allegiance for a common purpose and commit
violence, unlawful or criminal activities. Today's street gangs may claim control over a
certain territory in their community, and create and atmosphere of fear and intimidation
there. Gangs are often involved with narcotics, which bring them profit.
Who Joins Gangs?
Gang Members generally range in age from 13-21 years old, but can be as young as 9 years
old. Those who join gangs often have low self esteem, feel unloved at home, do poorly in
school, and have a hard time making decisions and communicating with others. Many come
from single parent homes. Most gang members are boys, but 10% of all gang members are
girls and the number is growing.
Why do Kids Join Gangs?
Kids join for many reasons, and each case is individual. However, reasons include;
excitement and fun, a sense of belonging, companionship, peer pressure, attention or
status, financial gain, intimidation, protection, and a failure to realize what being in a
gang means. Living in a gang infested area or having a family member in a gang increases
the possibility of a kid joining one.
What Risk Factors Lead to Gang Membership?
Among the risk factors are:
- lack of adequate community youth support systems and too much unsupervised time.
- poverty
- lack of self worth
- poor decision making and communication skills
- domestic violence at home
- media that glorifies violence
- parent denial of gang problem
Gang membership could also be considered a form of survival, if living in a gang
infested community.
What Are the Dangers of Being in a Gang?
Gangs often have guns and drugs, exposing kids to the dangers of both. Members can be
seriously hurt or killed during gang fights or criminal acts. Gang membership can also
hamper education, since schools are viewed negatively by gangs. Extensive police records
limit future employment opportunities. Families of gang members also face danger for their
own safety from feuding gang members.
How Big is the Problem?
Many experts (and kids themselves) believe the gang problem is growing, with gangs
networking across the U.S.A. rather than being confined to certain communities as in the
past. And older gang members recruit younger ones to do the criminal acts, including drug
trafficking and shootings. The average age of a shooter in a gang is now 9-11 years old.
How Can You Help?
Stay informed, involved, and aware. Help your children choose to refuse gang membership by
becomming more involved in their lives., by building their self esteem at home, and by
working to combat the gang problem in your community. Be Aware of possible signs of gang
involvment.
Signs of Possible Gang Involvement
- Sudden poor school grades and disinterest in school.
- Withdrawal from family activities.
- Use of unknown vocabulary (gangs have many slang words).
- Sudden change in friends.
- Evidence of drug abuse.
- Sudden affluence.
- Use of hand signs.
- Desire for extensive privacy.
- Having a new nickname.
- Developing a bad attitude towards family, school and authorities.
- Purchase or desire to buy clothing off all one color or style.
- Wearing altered headwear (gang members often put gang information on the inside band of
ball caps).
- Changing appearence with special haircuts, eyebrow markings or tattoos.
- Use of gang graffiti on folders, desks, walls, and buildings.
- Staying out later than usual.
Protect Your Children
For their own saftey, tell children:
- Don't wear clothing in colors or style that is gang related.
- Don't associate or attend parties with gang members or Wannabe gang members.
- Don't hang out on street corners where gangs are active.
- Don't approach individuals in cars who seemingly want information.
- Don't take part in writing graffiti or hang around walls marked with it.
What Can You Do?
- Become informed- Find out about gang
activity in your community. Learn how gang members dress, speak, and behave. Attend
informational meetings and read articles related to gang activity.
- Get Involved- Become active in your
children's education and in your community. Organize or join neighborhood watch groups.
Discourage gangs from hanging around your area. When incidents occur (i.e.: vandalism,
loitering and drug activity) report them to law enforcement officials at once.
- Know Your Children's Friends- Know
who your children are hanging out with and how they and your children spend their free
time. If children choose friends that are mostly with gangs, they are probably involved or
will become involved in gangs, too.
- Communicate- Develop open, frequent
communication with your children. Be positive, allow your children to come to you to
discuss any topic or problem. Tell your children that you love them. Allow them to express
themselves.
- Spend Time Together- Plan activities
the whole family can enjoy. Expose children to different places outside of your
neighborhood, such as parks, museums, the beach, and te mountains. Let children know you
want to be with them.
- Set Limits- Don't let children stay
out late or spend a lot of unsupervised time in the streets. (MOst gang members start with
curfew violations.) Don't allow children to write gang names, symbols or any other gang
graffiti on their books, papers, clothes, bodies, walls or any other place.
- Teach Good Values and Responsibility- Help
children develop respect for other's property and pride in the community. Give them
responsibility at home and reward them for a job well done. Teach them to set positive
goals for themselves, to hold high standards, and to prepare for a positive future.
- Monitor Media- Children on the
average see 8,000 murders on TV by the time they are ten years old. Watching violence on
TV makes viewers become insensitive to it. Music and video games also glorify violence.
Know what your children are seeing, hearing, and playing. Say no to violent media.
- Encourage Healthy Activities- Encourage
children to be involvedin athletics and other health oriented group activities so they can
gain a sense of belonging in that way. Take elementary students to college/high school
games to promote an interest in sports. Host gang-free parties for children old enough for
them.
- Be a Role Model- Set a good example.
Deal with anger in a healthy way, so children can learn from you. Limit your intake of
alcohol, and don't do other drugs. If you have a problem, get help. If necessary, work on
your own self-esteem or anger control. Keep stress managable.
- Say No to Gangs- Develop an anti-gang
enviroment at home. Don't let children dress in gang style clothing. Read articles to
children about gangs and help them see the natural consequences of actions.
- Avoid Denial- Many parents refuse to
recognize their children's gang involvement until it is too late. Be alert to signs of
possible gang membership.
Some Common Gang Slang Words
GANG BANGER: An active gang member.
HOME BOY or HOME GIRL: Gang member.
JUMP IN: Gang intitation.
NUT UP: Angry.
OG: Original gang member.
PACKING: Gang member with a gun.
RAG: Color of a gang.
SHOOTER: A gang member who uses a gun.
TAGGER: Someone who uses graffiti.
WANNABE: Youngster who wants to be a gang member.
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