Gang Identification Training Classes -
Community Gang Awareness, Gang Assessments
Who is going to control our neighborhoods, cities and towns? Our jails and corrections facilities?
Our work place? And most importantly, our classrooms and schools?
Gangs OR Us???
Obviously the answer to these questions has to be "
Us. " Each of us must concentrate our efforts to develop programs, not only to identify gangs, but also programs to prevent and deter our youths from joining gangs.
Gangs have been glamorized by the movie, television, and music industries, and
this, many believe, has led to the proliferation and expansion of gangs and gang activities. This glamorization has not gone unnoticed by our youth who think the gang culture is "cool", but it would be unfair to blame or infer that the media is responsible for ALL kids becoming involved with gangs. There are numerous other reasons that our youth join such as fear, intimidation, peer pressure, a lack of family unity or love, and more.
Regardless of the reason(s), gangs can now be found everywhere; cities large and small, rural, as well as urban areas, and at all socioeconomic levels.
Unfortunately, too many cities, too many school districts, too many parents and even law enforcement agencies, fail to recognize, and even deny the existence of gang activity within their homes, schools, or communities. This is due, in part, to the fact that they do not have the knowledge or training to recognize the signs of gang activity. They do not realize that the child has changed. They do not see, or know the meaning of the symbols on his clothing, books, or body (tattoos.) They do not know who his friends are, or do not know why he has suddenly separated himself from his family. They do not know the meaning of the words, unusual signs or symbols (graffiti) spay painted on walls of buildings, street signs, bridges, anywhere.
Gangs OR Us training is designed to expand your knowledge, or to provide you with the basic knowledge needed to recognize gang activity that may be occurring in your home, community, school, or correctional facility.
Gangs OR Us is honored to have been recognized in the December, 2001 issue of the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, as one of three recommended gang identification web sites in the United States. To view the bulletin and to read a well researched gang article written by Lieutenant David Allender of the Indianapolis, IN Police Department, click the link below.
This training class is designed to give law enforcement and
corrections personnel, parents, teachers, and other concerned citizens, the means to understand the dynamics of our youths involvement in street and prisons gangs.
Topics in the presentation include the history of gangs in the United States, who joins gangs, why youths join, gang identifiers (signs, symbols, clothing, tattoos, graffiti), gang initiation practices, backgrounds on well known street and prison gangs, and possible community or departmental solutions.
This presentation is designed as a four (4) to eight (8) hour class but can be reduced
(not recommended) to a minimum of two (2) hours to meet your time requirements.
Although the cost of training is reasonably inexpensive, many small departments have a limited budget and in some instances, are forced to limit staff training. One solution that some departments have found to be beneficial is, for several departments who are in close proximity to each other, to pool their training resources, and share the costs.
RECENT TRAINING CLASSES
Florence, Colorado
- Federal Corrections Complex (FCC) - August 24, 25, 26, 2010
At the request of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in
Florence, Colorado, I provided three full days of prison gang
identification training to the correctional officers of the three
facilities located at the complex. The facilities include a medium
security facility Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), a high
security United States Penitentiary (USP), and the The USP
Administrative Maximum (ADX) facility which houses offenders requiring
the tightest controls.
Examples of these inmates include, founders, leaders
and members of some street and prison gangs. Persons who have
killed judges, correctional officers or others. Participants in
the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and other terrorists who either were
successful or made attempts on U.S. targets.
One
inmate who was of particular interest to me is Juan Matta-Battesteros, a
drug trafficker and one of the master-minds behind the 1985 kidnapping,
torture and murder of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent,
Enrique, "Kiki", Camarena, a co-worker and friend of mine. Matta
is serving 480 years.
ADX is reportedly the most
secure prison facility in the U.S.
OTHER RECENT TRAINING
CLASSES
At the request of the
Tippecanoe County Prosecutor in Lafayette, Indiana, I spent most of the
last week in February, 2010, providing gang identification training
classes to over 500 law enforcement, corrections, parole/probations
officers, and fire fighters. These attendees came from many parts
of Northern Indiana and they represented over 40 departments.
Also during the week we gave a two hour gang awareness
class to over 300 concerned citizens of the area.
All of the events were highly publicized through
posters, newspapers, television, and the internet.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? Costs include a fee for each presentation, plus all travel-related expenses such as airfare, car rental and hotel charges.
ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS? Yes. The gang identification program is designed for adults only. No video or recording devices are allowed without permission.
CONTACT ME
Please Email Mefor details as to cost, equipment requirements, handout materials, and publicity.
GANG ASSESSMENTS
Do you suspect that there may be gang activity in your school, corrections facility
or your company?
Are you unsure as to how to determine whether gangs are present?
Do you know what action(s) to pursue if gangs are present?
If you would like to have an on site assessment of your school or facility please contact me. The assessment process includes a thorough inspection of your facility, photographs of any existing signs of gang activity and a summary report.
The gang assessment and training class can be incorporated into one visit to your facility.
A Sample of of What You Can Expect To Receive
A recent interview - Promoting gang awareness - Lafayette, Indiana
Feb. 23, 2010
Public gang awareness program - Lafayette, Indiana
Feb 23. 2010
Past Major Speaking Engagements
During the past fifteen years I have presented gang identification training classes to numerous departments, large and small, throughout South Carolina as well as other
locations, in and outside of the United States. Some of the more noteworthy conferences at which I have spoken are:
International Training
National Community Awareness Workshops (2) - April, 2005, Grand Cayman Island, BWI;
National Community Awareness Workshop - November 2005, Cayman Brac Island, BWI
United States Training
Federal Bureau of Prisons - Florence, CO Federal
Corrections Complex, August 24,25,26, 2010
Tippecanoe County Prosecutor's Office - Four law enforcement
only classes - February 22 - 25,
2010, Lafayette, IN
Tippecanoe County Prosecutor's Office - Community gang awareness public session; February 23,
2010, Lafayette, IN
Kenco Logistics Services; Human Resources Seminar
- Gangs In
The Work Place - September 23, 2009, Chattanooga, TN
Public Defenders Service - Attorneys and investigators; August
27, 2009, Washington D.C.
Pinal County Town Hall - Gang Busters; It takes a community,
April 22, 2009, Casa Grande, Arizona
Massachusetts Career Development Institute, Springfield, MA,
April, 2007
GWC Inc. - 7th Annual National Conference on Addiction and Criminal Behavior -
St. Louis, Missouri, September 17-20, 2006
International Association of Arson Investigators (SC Chapter) - August 31,
2006
National District Attorneys Association - June 1-3, 2005, Columbia, SC
15th Annual Utah Gang Conference - 2005, Salt Lake City, UT
2004 National Summit on Elimination of Gang Violence, Miami, FL
U.S. Job Corps Southeast Regional Conference, Atlanta, GA
Learning Generation Initiative Gang Awareness Conference, Goshen, IN
Community Gang Awareness Seminar - Spartanburg, SC
National Major Gang Task Force, Daytona Beach, FL
North Carolina Department of Corrections, STG Training Conference, Raleigh, North Carolina
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, STG Training Conference, Salt Fork, Ohio
Western States Hostage Negotiators Association Conference, Boise Idaho
Federal Bureau of Prisons Gang Management Conference, Beaumont, Texas
U.S. Penitentiary (FBOP) - Staff street and prison gang identification training, Lee County, Virginia
Wesleyan College - Gang and Violence Symposium, Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Illinois Probation and Court Services Association, Fall Conference, St. Charles, Illinois
Ain't No Denying Conference - Hosted by Steve Nawojczyk, Little Rock, Arkansas
Radio/Television Appearances
Court TV - 3/24/00 - In addition to presentations and training classes I have also appeared on this nationally televised program as a gang identification expert in a gang related murder trail.
Radio Jamaica - 9/20/00 - On this one hour radio talk show, I appeared as a telephone guest
with Steve Nawojczyk, a nationally known gang expert . Topics of discussion were the similarities of gangs, crimes and needed solutions for Jamaica and the United States
Canadian Radio, CJBK, London, Ontario, Canada 12/18/01
Appearing on the "MikesOn Show," as a telephone guest, I discussed with the Moderator, Mike Stubbs, the gang problems as they exist in the United States. The primary topics of discussion were: Who joins a gang, Why youths join a gang, and What society can do to solve or curtail the gang problem.
Canadian Radio
"The MikesOn Show"
CJBK - 1290 AM
London, Ontario, Canada
On July 7, 2004 I again spoke, via telephone, with Mike Stubbs as a talk show guest. During the interview, I discussed with Mike, violence
and fair fights; do fair fights exist any longer? We elaborated on the fact that everyone seems to need an edge and whether persons are in a gang or not, they believe they need a weapon such as a gun. Gone are the days of fighting one on one with fists only.
British Broadcasting Company (BBC), London, England May 24, 2002
On this worldwide broadcast, I appeared as one of four international panelists on the program, "Outlook", hosted by Dave Dove. The topic was the world wide gang problem and other panelists included Dr. Val Besag, United Kingdom, Irvin
Kinnes, South Africa, and Keith Wong, Hong Kong.
Fox Television News, New York, NY, June 11, 2002
A segment of this television interview was used on the Fox program, "The Big Story, hosted by John Gibson. The entire one hour program centered around Jose Padilla, an
alleged gang member who became a member of the Al Qaeda terrorist organization.
The Michael Reagan Talk Show
Los Angeles, California
On January 13, 2003 Michael Reagan, as a segment of his nightly nationally syndicated talk show, included the topic of "gangs and gang violence." Appearing as a guest on the show, we discussed the gang problems and the violence connected with gangs, constantly facing communities throughout the United States.
702 Talk Radio
Johannesburg, South Africa
August 14, 2004 - This live interview lasted approximately fifty minutes and to my surprise was commercial free. The presenter, Boo Prince was a very well informed young lady who asked very pertinent questions about every aspect of street and prison gangs in many parts of the world.
Radio Cayman
89.9 FM/93.9 FM
George Town, Grand Cayman Island, BWI
April 26, 2005 - At the invitation of Joel Francis, host of the popular radio talk show "Talk Today," it was my
distinct pleasure to be in the Radio Cayman studio as a panel member with
Mrs. Linda McField, Executive Director of Caymans Against Substance Abuse
(CASA), and Ms Carolina Ferraro, Red Cross AIDS Program, for a 90 minute
discussion about gangs and gang related problems in the Cayman Islands. .I was in Grand Cayman at
the request of Mrs. McField to provide gang awareness to law enforcement,
educators, politicians, concerned citizens and others, through two four-hour
gang identification workshops.
Throughout the 90 minute program, we, as a panel, touched on many topics
relating to gangs such as why youths join gangs, the effects of gang involvement
on the lives of the youth, murder and other crimes, the definition of a gang,
methods of identifying gangs and gang member identification, plus much, much
more...
In addition we discussed the need for the community, including politicians, law
enforcement, parents and teachers to admit that gangs and drugs are present
to some degree on the islands, and to step forward to support the police in
their efforts, as well as calling for the politicians to propose and support
gang legislation aimed at combating and preventing the spread of gangs and drugs
throughout the Cayman Islands.
WNBW - Boston's Talk Variety 1120 AM Needham, MA
May 9, 2009 -
As
a means of showing Mothers Day support for mothers and families who have
lost children to the violence and criminal ways of the street gangs,
Faye Morrison, who hosts the “Faye Morrison Show” each Saturday invited
yours truly, Mr. Steve Nawojczyk, a
nationally known gang expert, and Dr. Michael A. Walker-Jones, a nationally
known educator and Regional Director of the Massachusetts Teachers
Association, to participate in an hour and forty-five minute panel
to discuss gangs and how to combat the gang problem and save our youth.
WTKK - Boston's Talk Evolution
96.9 FM
Boston, MA
May 10, 2009 – At
the invitation of Jimmy Meyers, Talk Radio Host, I, Steve Nawojczyk
and Dr. Michael A. Walker-Jones again participated in a panel and
listener call-in discussion about gangs. This segment of the
program lasted approximately one hour and forty-five minutes and the
discussions included many aspects of the gang problems to include
how to educate and prevent youth from joining, how to get them out
of gangs, the availability of guns and the violence that gangs bring
to the community.
