What is a gang?
A gang is an organized group with a recognized leader whose
activities are either criminal or, at the very least,
threatening to the community. Although gang members are part of
these organizations, they rarely acknowledge their own roles as
contributing to the problems in that community.
Gangs display their identity and unity in obvious ways such as
jewelry, colored clothing, jargon, and signals. Members remain
together in quiet times as well as in conflict. In response to
this twisted loyalty, members are rewarded by being accepted and
recognized as a gang member.
The main source of income for most gangs is narcotics. Members
of all ages are used by the gang in the illegal sale of
narcotics and other unlawful activities. It is a mistaken belief
that gangs only operate in less affluent neighborhoods. Gangs
exist in virtually every community.
The alliances are not aligned along traditional racial
boundaries, and both contain black, white, and Hispanic street
gangs.
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Who belongs to gangs?
Gangs use a variety of methods to recruit new members,
targeting in recent years younger and younger members because of
the less stringent penalties juvenile offenders are usually
subjected to. Gangs actively recruit youngsters age 15 and
younger to carry out risky assignments or carry the weapons or
drugs. Females are also recruited and influenced into similar
activities.
The profile of a typical gang member is a male school dropout or
truant, who is unemployed or has no employable skills. The gang
member is usually in trouble with the police and does not
receive adequate family attention. The gang provides identity
and status and, in return, the member develops a fierce loyalty
to the gang and nation.
Virtually all gangs have oaths, pledges, mission statements,
etc., and a set of rules known as "laws" which each member must
memorize and adhere to. Loyalty is demanded in every aspect of
the gang philosophy. Respect for the gang as a "nation" is
taught. The gang founders and past and present leaders are
glorified in many of these oaths and rituals.
Street gangs are divided into three basic components: (1)
leaders direct the nature and basic pattern of the gang members;
(2) hard-core members, who participate in the gang as a life
line, are violent and have the ability to orchestrate criminal
activity; and (3) marginal members, who drift into and out of
gang activities according to their needs. They lack direction,
and may initially find intrigue and camaraderie from the gang.
Leaders and hard-core members are often very threatening and
easy to identify. Marginal members, on the other hand, are very
difficult for the average adult to detect because they do not
exhibit the typical gang demeanor. Often these individuals are
no more than sympathizers or wanna-bes who are not committed to
the gang mentality. Many start into criminal activities and
drugs, working into hard-core status and may even kill to become
part of the gang or to prove themselves.
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What are street gang identifiers?
All street gangs utilize one or more visible indicators.
These identifiers are as varied as the imagination and ingenuity
that the members have. Typically gang members use graffiti, hand
signs, tattoos, and colors to signify their membership in a
gang, and to communicate their gang affiliation to others. Each
street gang has its own unique signal, sign, colors, jewelry,
and/or dress. These serve not only to identify gang members, but
also to promote group solidarity.
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What can be done to stop or control gangs?
The more aware the community is, the better prepared it is
to deal with gang problems.
The best defense against gangs begins in the home. Parents
should be aware of the identifiers gangs use and be aware if
they begin to appear on the personal articles of their children.
Book bags, posters, and gang colors are used to convey the gang
message. Parents should be also alert that their homes are not
being used by the gang to hide weapons or narcotics.
By directing your children into constructive activities and by
knowing their friends, parents can help protect their children
and their communities.
Removing graffiti from your property as soon as possible, and as
often as necessary, is another way to stand up to gangs.
Graffiti often indicates gang activity in your community, and
allowing graffiti to remain is seen as giving in to the gang.
Finally, don't take unnecessary risks with gangs, but don't be
intimidated either. You are not alone. If you need advice or
want to get together with your neighbors to team up against
gangs, call the State Attorney's Office at (800) 842-0103.
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