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Gang Prevention

Gang violence is beginning to have a major impact on communities in Virginia. The cost of gang violence affects the public health care system, law enforcement (including incarceration and prevention), and a disruption in the learning environment at school.

Young men and women tend to join gangs to fill basic needs that usually are not being met at home and in school. These include support, love, shelter, money, sense of belonging, and control. Poor kids are often attracted to the money and material items that they see gang members obtaining, usually through illegal means. Some youth join because they are afraid of physical harm and are interested in being protected.

Definition of a Gang

In Virginia, the definition of a gang means any ongoing organization, association, or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, (i) which has as one of its primary objectives or activities the commission of one or more criminal activities, (ii) which has an identifiable name or identifying sign or symbol, and (iii) whose members individually or collectively have engaged in the commission of, attempt to commit, conspiracy to commit, or solicitation of two or more predicate criminal acts, at least one of which is an act of violence, provided such acts were not part of a common act or transaction.

Statistics

• In 2002, more than 877,700 young people ages 10 to 24 were injured from violent acts. Approximately 1 in 13 required hospitalization. http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/yvfacts.htm
  
  
• A survey of nearly 6,000 eighth graders conducted in 11 cities found that 11 percent were currently gang members (17 percent said they had belonged to a gang at some point in their young lives). http://www.iir.com/nygc/faq.htm
  
  
• Fairfax Police Lieutenant Susan Culin claims there are an estimated 3,000 members of the Salvadoran gang MS-13 in Northern Virginia alone. http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro/20030806-095000-7238r.htm

Prevention Tips for Parents

• Spend quality time with your children and get to know their friends
  
  
• Try to eat dinner 5 times a week with your child with the television off and no other disturbances. If you only eat dinner twice a week right now, try to make it three times, then four. Try to build up to a goal of eating five dinners with your child each week.
  
  
• Express to your child that you have an expectation of grades and school attendance. Do everything you can to prevent your child from dropping out of school.
  
  
• Do not hesitate to call for help: a school official, guidance counselor, law enforcement officer, neighbor or friend.
  
  
• Encourage good study habits by providing a quiet environment in the home for at least one hour a night. Develop other positive activities.
  
  
• Volunteer at your child's school, or find a way to get involved in other activities.
  
  
• Listen to your children. Communicate with them about their concerns and fears.
  
  
• Establish rules, set limits and be consistent.
  
  
• Watch closely for negative behaviors and influences.
  
  
• Be a model of nonviolence yourself.
  

Warning Signs that Your Child May Be At-Risk

• Your child spends a large amount of time hanging out with friends who may be involved in negative behaviors (drinking, doing drugs, getting into fights, etc.).
  
  
• You begin to notice your child becoming more aggressive in their behavior, and they may get into fights in school.
  
  
• Your child misses classes or starts to skip school entirely.
  
  
• Your child starts wearing clothes that are consistent with gang activity (tend to be loose fitting clothes of specific colors).
  
  
• Your child becomes withdrawn from the family.

If your child shows some of these signs, it does not necessarily mean he or she is involved in a gang. Some gang styles are becoming popular by mainstream youth. This trend makes distinguishing who is actually involved in gangs difficult.

What to Do if You Suspect Your Child has Joined a Gang

• Consider talking openly with your child about your suspicions. Write down what is leading to your suspicions so you do not forget when you discuss your child's activities.
  
  
• If you don't know what questions to ask, or are afraid, research the issue on the internet. There are many great gang violence prevention websites that can help.
  
  
• Monitor your child's activities, including school attendance, grades, and friends they are hanging out with.
  
  
• Talk with a local law enforcement officer. Let them know your concerns, and tell them to call you if they spot your child in situations that might not be safe.

Additional Resources

Virginia Attorney General's Anti-Gang Initiative - www.oag.state.va.us
Bureau of ATF's Gang Resistance Education And Training (GREAT) - www.atf.gov/great/index.htm
National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) - www.ncjrs.org/gangs/summary.html