Signs that a friend or family member may be in a gang
Ways to Identify Potential Gang Members
Youth who are on the fringe of gang involvement usually display some of the following behaviors and
characteristics. While these guidelines are not hard and fast, a combination of these signs indicate a child is
more likely to become involved in a gang.
- Poor academic progress in school.
- Lack of interest in school activities.
- Large blocks of unsupervised time.
- Signs of increased conflict at home.
- Frequent disciplinary problems at home and/or school.
- Frequent contact with police.
- Drawing graffiti.
- Imitating gang dress or behavior.
- Tattoos drawn on the body.
- Uses hand signs adopted by a gang.
Why Do Kids Join a Gang?
- Gangs can meet needs that go unfulfilled in other aspects of a child´s life.
- The gang can give a sense of security, structure and DISCIPLINE that is missing at home.
- The gang appears to be loyal when others are not.
- Lack of positive influence and interaction with parents.
Parents will often say their child does not respond to discipline and will not obey rules. However, every gang
has rules and methods of discipline and those methods are usually brutal.Children need structure and discipline
and will find it in a gang if it is not maintained at home. In this way, the gang becomes a surrogate family.
If you have questions about your child and gangs, call the Gang Task Force.
WARNING SIGNS
You should be concerned if your child:
- Admits to gang involvement
- Is obsessed with one particular color of clothing or shows a desire for a particular logo
- Wears sagging pants (this in and of itself is not indicative of gang activity)
- Is obsessed with gangster-influenced music, videos and movies to the point of imitation
- Withdraws from family with an accompanying change in demeanor
- Associates with undesirable friends and breaks parental rules consistently
- Develops an unusual desire for privacy and secrecy and may completely rearrange living quarters to create privacy
- Uses hand signs while with friends and practices them at home
Or there is the appearance of:
- Physical injury (such as being beaten) and then child lies about the events surrounding the injury
- Peculiar drawings or language on school books (may appear later as tattoos or brands)
- Unexplained cash or goods, such as clothing or jewelry
- Possible use of alcohol and drugs with attitude change
TELL YOUR CHILDREN THEY SHOULD NOT:
- Associate with any gang members or “wannabe” gang members
- Identify or communicate with gangs
- Hang out near or where gangs congregate
- Approach strangers in cars who appear to want information, directions or a "light"
- Wear gang related clothing where gangs are known to gather or traverse
- Wear red or blue clothing in high crime areas and begin to identify with the number "13" or "14"
- Use words like “scrap” or “buster” (localized lingo may develop) anywhere gangs may be; i.e. malls, sporting
events, etc.
- Attend any party or social event sponsored by gangs or their associates
- Take part in any graffiti activity or hang around where graffiti is present; or
- Use any kind of finger or sign language in a public place
TIPS FOR PARENTS:
- Impress upon your child the importance of school and good grades
- Spend quality time with your children
- Get involved in your child’s school activities
- Establish rules, set limits and be consistent, firm and fair in punishment
- Encourage good study habits
- Respect your child’s feelings and attitudes and help them develop self-esteem
- Watch closely for negative influences
- Improve your own self-esteem so your children can model themselves after the most important “role model”—YOU.
Click Here for additonal information in both Spanish and English from the Self Reliance Foundation.
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