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1. What are some potential signs of gang involvement?

• Specific colors or emblems on jackets, hats, etc.
  
• Special hand signals
  
• Unique tattoo symbols and lettering
  
• Gang symbols on walls (such as graffiti), books or clothing
  
• Clothing (hats, bandannas, etc.) suggesting group or gang involvement
  
• Possession of unexplained large sums of money
  
• Changes in attitude: violent reactions, disruptive behavior, refusal to respect authority figures
  
• Secretive behavior regarding activities and locations
  
• Changes in friends
  
• Truancy or poor school performance
  
• Phone calls from individuals who either refuse to identify themselves, give unusual nicknames or use a nickname to identify your child
  
• Negative contact with school officials and law enforcement officers
  
• Involvement with known or suspected gang members
  
• Interest in or possession of weapons (guns, knives, etc.)
  

2. Why do children join gangs?

• Acceptance - Many kids feel that they are not getting the attention they believe they deserve at home.
  
• Excitement - This group of kids love the high of committing crimes and getting away with it. They often do their crimes just to be chased by the police. These individuals are adrenaline
  junkies and love the thrill of criminal activity.
  
• To earn money - More and more, we are seeing gang members turn towards using the gang to make a profit through illegal activities. Selling narcotics, robberies, burglaries, auto thefts, and
  other property crimes are common in many gangs.
  
• Peer Pressure - If your kids are hanging around gangs and gang members, you can almost guarantee that they are being pressured to join the gang. It is important to know who your children
  are associating with.
  
• Protection - It is often easier to join the gang than to be victimized on a daily basis.
  
• To Socialize - The best parties in town are gang parties. Easy access to liquor, narcotics and girls are attractive to potential gang recruits.
  

3. What can parents do to prevent their children from joining gangs?

• Praise your children for doing well
  
• Encourage your children to participate in positive activities
  
• Get to know your children's friends and their families
  
• Set the example and be a positive role model
  
• Talk to your children about gangs and their destructive nature
  
• Talk and listen to your children
  
• Spend quality time with your children
  
• Put a high value on education
  
• Identify with positive role models
  
• Involve your children in positive group activities
  

4. What are some tips for parents?

• Be a good observer - pay attention to your child's behavior
  
• Learn real names of your children's friends
  
• Monitor living space for gang paraphernalia, weapons, and drugs
  
• Report all crimes
  
• Seek the facts - kids will tell you what you want to hear
  
• Teach your children decision making skills - help them make the right choices
  
• Team up with other parents