The Growing Problem of Gangs

It wasn't too long ago that gangs (groups of people, typically teenagers, who share a common identity and engage in criminal activity) were rarely, if ever, seen outside cities. In recent years however, gangs have begun popping up in increasing numbers in suburban areas as well. And with this migration out of the cities comes a change in the demographics of many gangs; organizations once limited to poor ethnic youth are now welcoming kids from all socioeconomic levels. Indeed, according to one source, an estimated 400,000 youth in the United States are involved in gangs, with violent street gangs maintaining a presence in 94% of this countyís medium and large sized cities.

What makes gang membership so attractive to todayís young people? According to New Jersey's Online Gang-Free Community a web site maintained by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, there are a number of reasons why teens join gangs. These include:

• the desire to belong to a group
• to receive protection
• to earn money
• because they are ìboredî with their current life
• to become more popular

Knowing the Signs

Because gangs have entered into the mainstream of our countryís culture, it has become increasingly important for parents to become mindful of their most common signs and behaviors. In fact, many schools and community organizations are now offering so called gang awareness seminars to help parents better understand the gang culture and recognize the warning signs typically associated with gang involvement. In addition to these seminars, there are numerous web sites which provide thorough explanations of these and other gang-related topics; the names of some of these sites are contained within this article.

The Marion County, Oregon Sherriffís Office has put together a brief yet informative look at the signs and characteristics typically associated with gang involvement, including many of the most commonly used acronyms and nicknames used to identify gangs. There is also a discussion covering graffiti which, contrary to what most people may think, it not confined to walls, buildings and bridges. By examining their child's personal possessions (school notebooks, books, cars and other items) for these acronyms and symbols, parents can often determine if gang involvement is an issue.

Another terrific resource can be found at Know Gangs, an organization made up of law enforcement personnel from around the country who specialize in gang activity. In addition to providing extensive identifying information specific to individual gangs, this site contains numerous resources to help educate parents about gang culture, including recent news items involving gang activity.

Early Lessons

One alarming gang-related trend involves the decrease in the age of children who are being indoctrinated to gangs; today, it is not uncommon for children as young as 7 or 8 years of age to be recruited into gangs. The reason for this is relatively simple the criminal justice system is typically more lenient on younger children. Older members are well aware of this and so they use the young children to complete the gangís illegal missions.

In response to this, schools and other community organizations have introduced gang awareness training in an effort to teach and inform children about the dangers of gang involvement. While this training is often provided by local law enforcement agencies, it is often with the aid of resources prepared by specialists in gang education. One such organization is GRIPE - Gang Reduction through Intervention, Prevention and Education. This organizationís web site contains a wealth of resources which can help virtually anyone conduct an informative and insightful presentation regarding the dangers of becoming involved in gang-related activities.

Avoidance Begins at Home

Like many things involving our youth, strong parental involvement is needed in order to successfully keep our children insulated from the dangers of gangs. Parents should become well-acquainted with the symbols and clothing styles of known gangs in their areas so that they can instantly recognize if their child is becoming involved with one of those gangs. The appearance of a tattoo or other marking on the body may indicate that a child has become involved with a gang. Parents should also watch for changes in behavior, increased secrecy, changes in dress perhaps an inclination toward one particular color, or wearing their hat in a certain manner, changes in attitudes toward school and other activities, the addition of gang-related slang and terminology to their vocabulary, or an increased presence of bruises or other abrasions are all indications that a child might be involved in a gang.

Keeping an open dialogue with children about the dangers of gangs is another important way to help them avoid becoming involved with these dangerous groups. Certainly, these arenít easy conversations to have, but the benefits can far outweigh any uncomfortable feeling you might have.

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