The answers to some of the more frequently asked questions about
gangs may be found here. If your question is not answered here,
please search the main site pages where most information about gangs may
be found.
Click the links below to be learn the answer to
each question.
There is no national standard for the definition of a gang. Many states
have passed legislation that defines gangs and gang activity in those particular
states.
Click here to see if your state has passed legislation defining what a
gang is.
Click here
to proceed directly to the Gangs OR Us "Definition Page."
First, you might ask the child if he or she is involved with a gang. Know who your child's friends are. Does he or she know their
real name or only a nick name? Does your child wear the same type
of clothing and the same colors all the time? Look for unusual
signs and symbols on school books, back packs, or other areas that the
child frequents.
The early adolescent years (12-14 years of age and sometimes younger) are a
crucial time when youths are exposed to gangs. It is at this time that the
youth may consider joining a gang.
Youths who are involved (or becoming involved) may exhibit the
following behaviors:
Unusual interest in one or more particular colors,
articles of clothing or a logo.
Sudden interest in gang-influenced music, videos and movies.
Use and practice of hand signals to communicate with friends
Peculiar drawings or gang symbols on schoolbooks, clothing,
notebooks, or walls.
Drastic change in hair or dress style and/or having a group of
friends who have the same hair or dress style.
Other negative changes or warning signs may be:
Withdrawal from family
Declining school attendance (truancy) or academic performance
Staying out late without reason
Unusual desire for secrecy
Confrontational behavior (back talk, name calling, sudden
departure from home)
Sudden negative opinions about law enforcement or other
positions of authority such as teachers or other school
officials.
Withdrawal from longtime friends and forming bonds with an
entirely new group of friends.
Non-accidental physical injuries, such as being beaten or
injuries to hands and knuckles from fighting.
Unexplained cash, clothing , jewelry or other goods.
New
gangs are formed almost daily throughout the country. Although
many of these gangs call themselves the same names of the older,
traditional gangs, such as Crips, Bloods, Gangster Disciples, Latin
Kings or one of the many other well known gangs, they are in no way,
representative of the original gang. These gangs are known as hybrid
or copycat gangs.
While the
predecessor gang may have been formed along race, ethnicity and cultural lines, the hybrid gang is usually
a mixture of races and ethnicities. They may use colors
from several gangs and may even use the colors of rival
gangs.
Dressing and/or acting like a gang banger is extremely dangerous
to those who think it is cool. By doing so, a person makes
themselves a target who may think that you are a rival gang member.
There are many documented cases of innocent persons who, because of
the colors of clothing they were wearing, have been assaulted and
murdered by gang members because the gang member thought the
individual was a rival gang member.
Gangs are dangerous!! Often, in communities where the gangs are
relatively new or almost unknown, the citizens will think there is nothing
to worry about. Gangs commit crimes against persons and
property. If you see or suspect gang activity, do not confront the
gang members. Contact your local law enforcement and report your
observations to them. Usually, this can be done ANONYMOUSLY.
Gangs OR Us receives numerous email messages requesting information, answers to questions, materials, and a variety of other subjects. Most of the time the information being sought is on the web site and too often the individual did not take time to search the pages.
The following are questions and answers that hopefully will be of assistance to you.
Question: Can you send me information on gangs?
Answer: Believe it or not this question is very frequently asked. The individual has found Gangs OR Us and the Email address but has not taken the time to look for information on the site. Most of the important information may be found on the following pages: Gang Identifiers, Gangs, Law Enforcement, or Parents and Teachers.
Question: I need information about gangs for my research/school/college project. Can Gangs OR us send me gang-related information?
Answer: No! Gangs OR Us has become so popular that I receive 10 to
15 requests for free research or information each day. Gangs OR Us is a privately-owned business and generally, there is a minimum fee for information that requires me to conduct research or to otherwise provide assistance.
Question: What information from Gangs OR Us can I use for my school project or research paper?
Answer: You may use anything that will assist you in completing your project. I do request that you give credit to Gangs OR Us if the material is written by me and is used as a reference resource.
Question: Can you provide statistics on the number of gangs and the gang members in the U.S.?
Answer: Like the names of gangs in each city, I do not keep statistics on the numbers of gangs or gang members. Surveys are taken from time to time, usually by an agency of the U.S. Department of Justice, but it frequently takes a year or more before the figures are compiled, evaluated and released. By this time the figures are outdated and less than accurate.
Question: Can you provide my organization with a packet of gang identification information and other materials?
Answer: No. As a private consultant, it is not financially practical for me to bear the cost of printed material for distribution.
Question: I have been tasked with setting up a gang identification unit within my department/agency.
Can you help with any information?
Answer: Click on my
Gang Unit
page. At the bottom of the page you will find a link to
Creating A Gang Unit.
Question: I am interested in attending a gang identification training class. Can you tell me where these classes are held?
Answer: As stated above, I offer training classes upon request. In addition, many states have an organization commonly called Gang Investigators Associations. There is a list of these organizations on the Law Enforcement page of my web site. Most of these organizations have an annual training conference and many will provide training to your agency or school district.
Question: Are you available for speaking engagements and presentations?
Answer: Yes. Please contact me by email, outlining your requirements.
Question: The police department in my community will not do anything about the gangs in my neighborhood. Can you help?
Answer: The concerned citizens and the individual police departments must work together to resolve the community's gang problem. I cannot become involved in the law enforcement policies of a department. One solution is for the citizens to form a community group, and as a group, present your problem to the Chief of Police, the Sheriff, or the city council.
Question: Can you tell me what gangs are in my community?
Answer: there are too many gangs in the United States for an individual to track or monitor. There is a page on Gangs OR Us that is titled, "Gangs in the U.S.". On this page, many of the major gangs of each state are listed. This is by no means an all-inclusive list. To learn about gangs in your community, you should contact your local law enforcement agency. Furthermore, just because you are aware of a gang in your area, do not ask me to add the gang to the list.
Question: I am the producer of a popular television talk show. Can you locate gang members and/or victims of gang members who would be willing to appear on our show?
Answer: NO! Gangs OR Us does not provide this type of assistance.
