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The following information
is intended to help parents in identifying the early warning signs of
gang involvement, aid them in preventing their children from getting
involved with gangs, and provide assistance in helping their children
get out of gangs. It is not intended to label or target a particular
child who may exhibit some of the listed characteristics. This
information is provided by the Myrtle Beach Police Department for
informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as
conclusive proof of gang or criminal involvement.
What is a
Gang?
A gang is defined as an ongoing organization, association or
group of five or more persons with a common interest, bond, or activity
characterized by the commission of, or involvement in, a pattern of
criminal or delinquent conduct. In other words, it is a group of people
who form an allegiance for a common purpose and engage in criminal
activity.
Gangs may be organized
on the basis of race, ethnicity or geographical location.
Who
Belongs to Gangs?
Gangs can affect anyone; regardless of where they live or
what school they attend. Young people from all walks of life join gangs.
Some gang members drop out of school, while others may be excellent
students. Research shows that the following factors are common
indicators that a young person may be involved in gang activity:
- Youth admits to gang membership
- Is under 21 years of age and is
identified as a gang member by aparent/guardian
- Is identified as a gang member by a
reliable source
- Resides in or frequents a known gang
area, uses a gang's hand signs, colors, or tattoos, and/or
associates with known gang members
- Has been arrested more then once
with or in the company of known gang members for crimes that are
consistent with gang activity
- Has been stopped by the police more
than four times while in the presence of known gang members
Why Do Young People Join Gangs?
A gang often meets needs that go unfulfilled in other areas
of a young person's life. The gang may provide a sense of security,
loyalty, structure and DISCIPLINE that may be missing at home. The
following is a list of reasons that may lead a young person to join a
gang:
- Lack of positive influence
by/interaction with parents
- Self-respect/identity
- Protection/peer intimidation
- Replacement or substitute family
- Lack of economic opportunity
- Desire for excitement/machismo
- Lack of alternatives in/out of
school
- Prestige/power
- Friendship/brotherhood
- Protection/security from gang
violence
- Feeling of belonging/being cared for
- Media glorification of gang
lifestyle
How To Identify Gang Members
The following are some common indicators to look for if you
suspect your child may be involved in gang activity. These indicators
are not a guarantee that your child is involved in a gang. The only way
to know for sure is by communicating with your child.
- Poor academic progress/skipping
school/lack of interest in school activities.
- Large amount of unsupervised time.
- Increased conflict at home.
- Frequent disciplinary problems at
home/school.
- Frequent contact with police.
- Drawing graffiti.
- Drawings/homework with the letters
"B" or "C" crossed out, inverted or used improperly.
- Using gang hand signs.
- Not associating with long time
friends/secretive about new friends/activities.
- Changing hair or dress styles/having
a group of friends with the same styles.
- Changing normal routines/not coming
home after school/staying out late at night.
- Photographs with others displaying
gang signs, weapons or gang-type clothing.
- Physical signs of being involved in
fights and being secretive as to how the injuries received
- A newfound sense of bravery/bragging
that they are too tough to be "messed" with.
- Using a new nickname.
- Demanding privacy.
- Refusing to take part in family
activities.
- Drinking alcohol/using drugs.
- Unusual mood swings or patterns of
behavior.
- Sudden, unexplained increase in
material possessions.
- Obsession with a particular color of
clothing or desire for a particular logo.
- Wearing baggy pants and shirts
(commonly known as "sagging").
- Wearing "Dickey" style clothing.
- Numbers, symbols and writing on
jeans.
- Wearing pants with pockets that show
gang colors when turned inside out.
- Using different-colored shoelaces.
- Wearing clothing with portions of
logos colored-over to make them similar to gang logos.
- Unusual writing, markings, numbers,
symbols or street names on shoes or inside hats.
- Altering logos on hats to match gang
logos.
- Wearing clothing of sports teams
that use similar colors or logos of the gang.
- Wearing colored-bandanas on their
head or partially exposed in a pocket
- Wearing belts with writing/numbers
on the portion of the belt that hangs down.
- Common tattoos: three dots "Mi Vida
Loca," tear drops, pachuco cross, words with the #13 or #14 in them,
pitch forks, crosses, 5- or 6-point stars, and 5- or 6-point crowns,
two masks – one happy/one sad.
If any of these signs
are present, you should not automatically conclude that your child is
involved in a gang. Instead, you should talk with them to determine
whether or not they are involved in a gang and, if so, at what level. We
can provide warning signs to look for, but only by communicating with
your child will you know for sure.
Help Your Child Say "No" to
Gangs
- Your child needs a balance between
love and discipline
- A child often uses a gang to replace
a sense of belonging not found in their family
- Spend time alone with your child. It
doesn't matter what you do, as long as it helps you to get to know
each other.
- Listen to your child and ask for
their opinions.
- Help your child to talk with you
without fear of punishment.
- Do not talk "down" to your child.
- Talk to your child about ways to
deal with pressure from friends.
- Set firm limits with your child. Let
them know clearly what is expected of them and the consequences for
acting otherwise.
- Always know where your child is, who
they are with, and enforce their curfew.
- Support your child's involvement in
extracurricular activities at school or other organized events.
- Explain the dangers of gang
affiliation to your child, including intimidation and retaliation
against family members.
- Discourage your child from hanging
around with gang members.
- Meet your child's friends. Find out
who they are, what influence they have over your child, and how they
spend their free time.
- Support your child's goals and
ideas, even if they differ from your own.
- Make it clear that you love your
child as he or she is.
- Be a good role model.
Consequences of Being in a
Gang
Joining a gang is never a good idea. It can place both the
gang member and his/her family in danger. Although gang membership is
sometimes temporary, it can have long-term effects on a child's future.
Gang members frequently drop out of school and/or end up in jail. As a
result, it is more difficult to find a job. Many members suffer from
alcohol or drug abuse. Ultimately, some gang members are seriously
injured or killed.
How to Deal
with your Child Being in a Gang
- Try talking to your child calmly.
Ask why they are in the gang.
- Define the rules your child must
follow and enforce them.
- Know your child's friends.
- Get to know the parents of your
child's friends.
- Tell your child that their friends
in the gang are not welcome at your house if they intend to wear
gang clothing and carry drugs or weapons.
- Do not be intimidated.
- Talk with other parents who may not
know of their child's involvement in a gang.
- Do not allow your child to wear
gang-style clothing.
- Do not allow your child to
write/practice graffiti on books, papers, clothing, etc.
- Do not allow your child to roam the
streets or stay out late. Set a curfew.
- Become an informed parent and learn
about gang activity in your community.
- Learn about community prevention
programs that may assist you with getting your child out of a gang.
Getting Out of a Gang
Most gang members join a gang because it meets certain needs
in their life. There are a variety of reasons for joining, but once a
person realizes that those needs can be met in other ways, the gang may
lose its appeal. The young person may decide they no longer want to be a
gang member. Here are a few suggestions to help, after deciding to quit
the gang:
- Find supportive family members or
friends.
- Never tell the gang that the young
person wants out or is planning to leave.
- Encourage the young person to spend
time doing other things such as sports, school or family activities.
- Encourage the young person to stop
looking and dressing like a gangster.
- Encourage the young person to stop
hanging out with and/or talking like gangsters
- Encourage them to find other people
to hang out with.
- The young person may make excuses
when gang members try to contact him/her. Have a family member say
that he/she is gone or busy. Don't return calls and if asked why,
say that the message was never received.
- Consider transferring to another
school if gang members attend the same school.
The Myrtle Beach
Police Department is committed to helping gang members leave the gang
culture and assisting them in finding more productive options. The
Department is also committed to helping the families of gang members in
addressing their child's gang involvement. These young people will find
that there are many caring adults and programs available to assist them
in leaving the gangs and helping them to succeed in life.
© Copyright 2004, The City of Myrtle Beach. All rights
reserved.
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