Possible Signs and Symptoms of Gang Affiliation

Preliminary Signs of Gang Involvement

• Drug or alcohol use.
• Decline in grades at school and/or skipping school
• Change of friends / sudden increase in the number of friends.
• Keeping late hours.
• Having a lot of money or expensive items which they can't explain.

The Tell-Tale Signs

• Gang graffiti in their rooms or on items such as books or posters

• Wearing gang clothing or colors.

• Using hand signals to communicate with other gang members.

• Having photographs showing gang names, slogans, insignia , or gang activities.

• Gang tattoos or gang insignias

• Witnesses connecting the individual to gang activity.

When Involvement Begins...

Gang involvement can begin as early as elementary school. Children as young as 8-9 years have been recruited into gangs.

Once in the gang, the child's behavior may change either suddenly or gradually, but it will generally follow a pattern. To be accepted, he or she must adopt a defiant attitude toward authority figures. This may even include violent acts.

At school, the child lets everyone know of his or her new status. He wears gang clothing and becomes disrespectful toward the teacher and others. The new gang member may fight others to gain a reputation for being "bad."

When at home, the new gang member's defiance may or may not manifest itself in violence, depending on the relationship with his or her parents and other family members. However, if the family interferes with the child's gang involvement, there may be repeated confrontations.

Some Common Reasons for Joining Gangs

Every youth has basic needs for feelings of self worth, identity, acceptance, recognition, companionship, belonging, purpose, and security. When the youth feels that the family, schools, churches, and communities are not meeting these basic needs, he or she may turn to gangs.

Steps Parents and Educators Should Take

• Talk to your child or teenager. Discuss the consequences of being in a gang.
• Involve your child in family and outside activities.
• Take an active interest in your child's schooling and academic progress.
• Contact the police and juvenile authority. (Contact Gang Officer Dave Eklund).
• Call community based organizations. Many have experience with gang problems and can give you some valuable advice.
• Go to your religious leaders for advice. They may have programs to help neighborhood children.
• Report and remove any graffiti in your neighborhood.