Gangs

GANG INVOLVEMENT
It is not practical to examine everything a gang does, but when a gang is involved, the potential for violence and criminal activity is far greater. Gang members seek confrontations and rivals. Sometimes incidents boil over in shopping centers, schools, entertainment or other public areas. While violence often makes headlines, it creates even more damage to local property and businesses. Vandalism often furthers the gang reputation.

Gangs often have guns and drugs, exposing kids to both of these dangers. Members can be seriously hurt or killed during gang fights and criminal acts. Gang membership can also hamper education, since schools are viewed negatively by gangs. Extensive police records limit future employment opportunities. Families
of gang members also face danger from feuding gang members.


DANGERS OF GETTING INVOLVED IN A GANG
Gangs often require a new person to go through an initiation to become a gang member. This can mean fighting another gang member, stealing/theft, gang rapes, drive-by-shootings or even murder.

Gang members almost always use alcohol and drugs. They also sell drugs on the street especially to younger children. Gang members are often at risk of being hooked on alcohol and drugs or being arrested and sent to prison.

Gang members use weapons especially guns and can be injuried or killed during gang fights. Family members of gang members may also be targets of gang violence.

Gangs can gain control of an area in a community and frighten others with their drug dealing and guns. They may also get involved in other criminal activities and risk being sent to prison.

Gang members often do poorly in school and dropout. They could end up on the streets, homeless, and without a job.

Gang members who join a gang at an early age and are persistent and dangerous become even more serious offenders as an adult gang member.

 

YOU CAN WALK AWAY FROM GANGS
For most gang members, belonging to a gang meets some kind of basic need in their life: protection, safety, love,
excitement or money. When a gang member learns that he or she can meet these needs in other ways, the gang
may lose its appeal, and this person may decide to walk away from gang life. However, being a gang member is far more dangerous than the typical dangers faced by most of today's teenagers. For that reason, the issue for many gang members is not if they will decide to stop being a gang member but whether they will live long enough to make that decision.


MAKE A PLAN FOR GETTING OUT


When gang members decide that they want to leave the gang, there are a few simple steps they can follow:

  • Never tell the gang that you plan to leave. You may be beaten, shot or even killed.
  • Begin spending your time doing other things. Instead of spending time hanging out with your gang friends, find something else to do during that time. Look around, there are possibilities everywhere: sports, recreation centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, arts programs, drama, school activities, and even spending time with your family and new friends.
  • Try to stop looking like a gangster. For many gang members, dressing down makes them feel safe because other people are afraid of the way they look. As you begin to believe in yourself, you will find that you don't need to make other people feel afraid of you in order for you to feel good about yourself. Stop wearing the clothes you think have a gang meaning.
  • Find other things to say and do. (HINT: This is much easier if you stop dressing like a gang member first) Stop hanging out with gang members, talking like a gang member, and acting like a gang member.
  • Get good at making excuses. Your parents can probably help you with this, but if not, try asking a teacher for help or maybe just an older friend. Some former gang members have said that when they started trying to leave the gang, they stopped taking phone calls from their friends or had their family members tell friends from the gang they were busy or involved in some other activity.

FIND PEOPLE WHO WILL SUPPORT YOU AND BELIEVE IN YOU
Getting out of a gang isn't easy, but it can be done. Young people across America make the decision to have a better life everyday. Find someone, especially an adult, who thinks that you are special and will support you. In your mind, think of a supportive adult wherever you go (school, neighborhood, recreation center) that you can talk with if you have a problem. Rely on these people to help support you with good advise and assistance. Finally, begin believing in your power to change. Gangs are a DEAD-END street. No matter who you are, what you have done, or where you live, you deserve better than a gang.