Info About Gangs

What is a gang?

Three or more persons who are associated or in a group that have a common identifying sign, symbol, or name. They may engage in criminal activity either as a group or individually and strive to create an atmosphere of intimidation or fear. Criminal activity includes juvenile acts that are considered a crime if they are committed by an adult.

Back to top

Are gang members a certain age?

Generally speaking, gang members can range anywhere from 14 to 40 years old. Depending on the life of the gang and the status of its members, OGs (Original Gangsters) may be older than 50. There is no specific age requirement for gangs, and children as young as five have been known to be members. 

Back to top

Do gangs have female members?

Yes, female involvement in gangs has been an up and coming process. Traditionally, females were more submissive and were required to hold weapons or stash for the gang, as well as being an information source and someone to hang out with. Within the past 15 years, however, females have risen to the top in some gangs by becoming leaders or getting a higher status. There are even gangs that are strictly female.

Back to top

What is gang banging?

Gang banging can be defined as any kind of mischievous act, from graffiti and theft, to rape or violent attacks on other gangs, that is performed by a gang or its members.

Back to top

Are there certain factors that play into why people get involved in gangs?

Yes, there are many factors that may cause a person to decide/want to join a gang.

1. Living in a high-gang level area.
2. Lack of a support system at home.
3. Violence against family members.
4. Feeling the need for protection for one’s self or for one’s family.
5. Glorification of violence.
6. Low self-esteem and the yearning to be accepted.
7. Lack of discipline.
8. Difficulty making decisions and communicating with others.
9. Too much unsupervised free time and a lack of positive activities or programs.
10. Lack of respect for authority figures.
11. Experience using alcohol or other drugs.
12. Growing up in a single-parent family or with other family members who belong or belonged to gangs.
13. Moving from one place (home) to another several times in a short period of time.

Back to top

Why do kids join gangs?

There is no definitive answer for why kids join gangs, but there are some common threads.

• Many times, kids join gangs because they are under the illusion that gangs are fun and exciting and they incorrectly believe that they can make lots of money being in a gang.
• They believe that their status in the community will change and they’ll be known for something.
• Sometimes they join because they are looking for companionship or a sense of protection.
• Sometimes they join because they feel intimidated or peer-pressured.
• Not all kids who join gangs are from a rough or difficult background, some come from nicer neighborhoods.
• Many times children who become gang members come from an abusive home life, are born into the gang life or are witnesses to violent acts.

Back to top

How do gangs recruit members?

Many times, gangs recruit members by showing them the “glamorous” side of gang life. They hang out with the person, teach them their hand signs, language, way to dress, etc., in an attempt to make the person feel special and like they belong. After time passes, the gang member may tell the recruit (knowingly or unknowingly) that it’s time to show loyalty. At this point, the recruit is required to commit a crime or get “jumped in.”

Back to top

How do I tell if someone is in a gang?

When a person joins a gang, their normal behavior tends to change. They may become more confrontational when it comes to authority figures and begin disrespecting teachers, parents and law enforcement officers. Their attendance in what seemed like normal activities changes, and their attitude may change against school, church or other extracurricular activities.

They may start wearing a certain brand or color of clothing, jewelry with symbols or nicknames, and wear hats turned to either the left or right or one pant leg rolled up.

Graffiti may start showing up on their things, such as notebooks, clothing, furniture or walls in shapes like stars, pitchforks, unexplained symbols or letters. Tattoos and burn marks or “branding” may also be key indicators, as well as signs of being in physical fights, like bruising, cuts and secrecy as to where they came from.

Photographs of the person displaying gang hand signs may start appearing, as well as weapons, money and drugs. If firearms, ammunition or weapons are found in their possession, you should seek help from a parent or authority figure immediately. Most children don’t realize that their gang involvement doesn’t just involve them, it affects their friends, family and anyone else around them.

Back to top

Is there a set structure for gangs?

There is no definitive structure for gangs, but the hierarchy goes from leaders to hard-core to wannabe.

Leaders: Typically the oldest and toughest or the ones with an extensive background in gang life or crime. They are known to be the ones to direct the rest of the gang and head-up recruitment.

Hard-Core: Extremely violent and known to be the gang bangers of the gang. They set examples and intimidate young members and new recruits by showing them exactly what is required of them.

Wannabes: Also known as “fringe members,” these members are the youngest and newest members of the gang. They may be just “testing out the waters” or consider themselves to be temporary members. They are just as dangerous as the rest of the gang in that they will show loyalty whenever they need to and by whatever means they deem necessary.

Back to top

What are the dangers of gang involvement?

Being involved in gangs is dangerous because of what comes with the territory. Being in a gang exposes a person to drugs, gun violence, alcohol and more. Gang involvement isn’t just dangerous for that person, but for everyone around them as well.

If you’re in a gang and a rival gang sees you out with your family and knows what gang you’re associated with, your family is in danger. If they know where you live, they may attack your home and kill everyone inside, whether you’re there or not. Even if you join a gang with all intentions to leave it someday, your life is forever in danger. Just because you “quit” doesn’t mean that rival gangs will go along with it. In their eyes, you will always be a part of that gang, whether you’re a participating member or not.

Back to top

How can you tell if your community has a gang problem?

There has been a great influx of gangs and gang membership all throughout the United States. Instead of gangs sticking predominantly to one area, they are now networking and spreading throughout communities. You may start noticing:

• More graffiti in your community, some of which is crossed out and written over with other graffiti (a sign of rival gangs in the area).
• Increase in the availability of drugs or increased violence.
• More children/groups of people wearing the same color or kind of clothing or jewelry.
• Increase in the number of drive-by shootings, stare downs, physical confrontations and altercations.

Back to top

How to combat gangs

• Inquire at your local police department and see what kinds of anti-gang programs or units they have in effect. 
• Attend or create gang awareness workshops and spread the word around your community and start or join a neighborhood watch program.
• Support anti-gang legislation.
• Whenever graffiti is found, remove it immediately. By stopping it as soon as it starts, gangs will know that your community means business and will not tolerate gang activity.
• Establish after-school or extracurricular activities for children in the area. Providing them with something to do is a great way to keep them out of harm’s way.

Back to top