Early warning signs of gang involvement:
Sometimes the signs of gang involvement are easy to detect. Other times they may be more difficult. Since gang crime and activities are constantly on the rise, it’s important to keep a watchful eye on your children and be aware of any suspicious activity.
- Your children become difficult to communicate with. They become argumentative when you talk about their activities and friends and they become defiant against you or authority and law figures.
- You notice a change in dress and appearance. They wear only specific colors, oversized clothing, bandanas, baseball caps, etc.
- They may also use tattoos to identify themselves.
- They change friends and are secretive over the new ones they make.
- Your children may not spend much time at home and they don't want to attend family activities.
- You see a lack of interest or a complete withdrawal from school activities, sports programs, hobbies and the things they normally liked to do.
- School attendance and performance declines.
- You may notice alcohol and/or drug use.
- They get into trouble with the law. Theft, truancy, running away, graffiti, vandalism, violence and possession of weapons are common problems associated with gang activity.
- They may use nicknames or refer to their friends by nicknames.
- They flash hand signs to other people when they are out.
There are many signs of gang involvement, but they differ per child. Be sure to keep the lines of communication open when dealing with your children and listen hard to what they have to say. Actions speak louder than words, and you never know when their actions are really a cry for help.
