GANGS – “Let’s Cut to the Chase”
- Gangs are present in all 50 states and territories and have become International. Specific gangs (i.e. Bloods, Crips, 18th Street Sureno13, OHG, etc.) which were present only in California, and other western states have made a steady migration east the last 10 -15 years and have or are gaining a foothold in the Midwest and South.
- Gang population actually declined in the late 1990’s but after the World Trade Center tragedy of 9/11 (2001), as police departments shifted focus towards terrorism, and officers were pulled from gang details, gang populations started to increase. Estimates are from between 750,00 to 850,000 gang members.
- Gangs are not confined to urban areas. They are present in small towns, mid-size communities, and suburban areas. Gang activity is present in all geographic areas of Iowa.
- Youth are joining gangs at a younger age and remaining longer. Gang membership may exist between the ages of 6 and 60. Gang membership crosses all socioeconomic, racial, and gender lines. Female gangs account for 5-10% of the total gang population. Because female gang members believe they must prove to their male counterparts, they will also use extreme violence against other female gangs and in some rare instances, against male gangs.
(from http://www.19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us/bkshelf/gangalrt/gangalrt.htm)
WHAT IS A GANG?
A youth gang is defined as adolescents and young adults who interact frequently and are deliberately involved in illegal activities, share a common identity (often expressed through a gang name), adopt certain symbols and/or claim control over certain "turf".
WHO JOINS THE GANG AND WHY?
No one is immune to becoming a gang member although gang members come from every type of background, there are certain factors that may increase the likelihood of gang involvement.
These factors are:
- Peer pressure
- Intimidation from gang members
- Feeling of a lack of love and respect
- Lack of close family relationship
- Lack of discipline
- Low income family
- Low self-esteem
- Single parent family
- School dropout or truant (poor student)
- Victim of abuse/neglect, parental abuse
- Negative role models
- No outside interest
Young people need positive role models, recognition, love and respect from their families and their communities. If their needs are not met in a constructive way, some will turn to the gangs to meet these needs.
MEASURES TO TAKE TOWARD A SOLUTION
Spend time with your children discussing this issue, ask for their suggestions and feelings. Let them know they are not alone. Encourage your children to stay in school; talk to the school and get the tutoring or counseling they need. We all come from different family circumstances and each situation will be different. If there has been open communication with your children as they grow - then they're probably discussing this with you. Point out positive alternatives to them. Offer to help them find something else that give them a sense of pride, a sense of belonging or a means to be recognized as someone of value as parents. By reaching out and joining together in parent support groups or neighborhood watch programs, we can reclaim the community for children.
(from http://www.ci.west-bend.wi.us/Departments/Police/GangInfo.htm)
WAYS TO SPOT MEMBERS OF THE ORANGE HAT GANG (OHG)
Some things to look for:
- Orange Hat (may be a hardhat, or baseball cap, or sometimes camouflaged)
- Orange Vest
- Blue-collared shirt
- Black or brown steel-toe work boots
CAUTION: Members of the OHG typically carry tools and weapons, so they should not be approached. Gang members are unusually hostile members of society.
Some Members of the OHG:
(click for larger image)--John
Peace.
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