Gangs 101 WSCA for release - c.ymcdn.com · PDF fileCrip gang o Piru is a subset or a separate...

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3/8/2010 1 Gangs 101: Recognizing and Understanding Youth Gangs Washington School Counselor Association Conference February 2010 Tyson Vogeler, Program Supervisor Washington State School Safety Center on the Rise o on the Rise o

Transcript of Gangs 101 WSCA for release - c.ymcdn.com · PDF fileCrip gang o Piru is a subset or a separate...

3/8/2010

1

Gangs 101:Recognizing and

Understanding Youth Gangs

Washington School Counselor Association Conference February 2010

Tyson Vogeler, Program SupervisorWashington State School Safety Center

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Gangs can be hard to recognize . . .

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unless you know what you are looking for.

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Students reporting gang membership doubledbetween 2002 and 2006

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Healthy�Youth�Survey:self�reported�gang�membership

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Grade�8 Grade�10 Grade�12

Percen

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Survey�Year

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What is a street gang?

• Common definition:o 3 or more personso Engage in criminal activity

collectivelyo Identifiable leadershipo Ongoing relationship

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o Common signs, symbols, or colors

o Exclusivityo Turf or territoryo Typical age 14-24 years

RCW 28A.600.455

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Why do kids join gangs?

• Searching for belonging and acceptance

• Exploring self-identity• Seeking excitement

and activities• Money, girls, drugs,

friends loveon

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Kids don’t run to gangs. They are running away from something else.

-- Father Greg Boyle, noted gang expert

friends, love• Emotional trauma

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Cultural Influences

• Music• Movies• Magazines• Internet• Video Games

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• Peers• Family

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Multi-GenerationalGangs

• Children raised in a gang culture

• Gangs become the“norm” for youth

• Washington hason

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• Washington hasthird-generationgang families

• Older siblings

• Children emulatinggang behaviors

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Cultural Influences

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Celtics’ Paul Pierce was fined $25,000 for throwing up agang hand sign (Piru) at a loud spectator in 2008.

Gangs have been around a long time . . .

• Immigrants formed gangs in the late 1800s for protection

• Earliest Chicago gangs in 1940s (Latin Kings ando

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in 1940s (Latin Kings andBlack P Stones)

• First California Hispanic gangs in 1940s

• Chicago gangs expanded in the 1960s and 1970sT

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• California “black” gangs formed in 1960s

• Expansion and migration of LA black gangs in 1980

Gangs have been around a long time . . .

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ist 1980s

• Expansion of Hispanic gangs in late 1980s and early 1990s

• Evolution of hybrid gangs since late 1990s

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Washington’s gangs were originally imported from other areas, and more recently have been gangs that develop locally.

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“All is well.” “All is one.”

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Org

BloodsLatin KingsVice Lords

CripsGangster DisciplesSurenosLa Raza

Dress “left” Dress “right”

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Girls in Gangs

• About 10% of gang members are girls• Female gang activity is on the increase• Girls are usually “sexed”

into the gang• Some all-girl gangs• Forced prostitution

is common

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Org • Girls can be very

violent, and docarry weapons

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“Black” Street Gangs

• Crips• Bloods• Piru• Hoover Criminals• Black Gangster Disciples• Vice Lords

• California Street Gang• Associated with Folk Nation• Turf-oriented, active in drug traffic• Origins:

o Los Angeleso 1970sS

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o 1970so Compton HS

• Rivals:o Bloods, Latin Kings,

Vice Lords

“B

lac

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• Identifiers:o Color Blue (primary)o Also Light Blue, Gray,

White, Purpleo May dress “left”o Letter “C”S

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o Six-pointed staro Number 6o “Sox” hats

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• Identifiers:o Pitchforks “up”o Don’t write “CK”o Examples –

o “write bacc”o “write bak”S

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o Word “slob” or “sloop” as a put-down to Bloods

o Graffiti includes “BK”

“B

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• California Street Gangs

• Associated with People Nation

• Turf-oriented, active in drug traffic

• Origins:

“B

lac

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S o Los Angeleso 1970so Response to

Crip gango Piru is a subset or

a separate gang

• Identifiers:o Colors Red (primary)o Also Burgundy, Green, Brown,

Tano Letter “B” or “UBN”o Word “damu”o Number 031 (“I am blood”)S

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o Number 031 ( I am blood )o Boston Red Sox Hatso Local sets may

use other letterso Tattoos – blud or MOB

are common

“B

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• Identifiers:o Five-pointed staro Cross out letter “C”o Replace “C” with “B”

(example “class” becomes “blass”)

o Graffiti may includeStr

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o Graffiti may include“CK” or “Crab”

o Pitchforks “down”o May dress “right”

“B

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• California Street Gang• Originally “Hoover Crips” but now a

separate gang• Continued allegiance to Crips and

Folk Nation• Origins:

L A lStr

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• Los Angeles• Hoover Avenue

“B

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• Identifiers:o Colors Orange and Blueo Letter “H”o Number 74 or 52o “H” handsigno Otherwise similar

to CripsStr

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“B

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• Chicago Street Gang

• Associated with Folk Nation

• Origins:o 1960so Two gangs joinedS

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to form BGDNo Black Disciples (BD)

broke off from BGDo “Growth and Development”

(1990s)

“B

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• Identifiers:o Colors Black, Blueo Also Grey, Whiteo Letters “BGD” or “GD” or

“G”o Pitchforks “up”S

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o Pitchforks up

“B

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• Identifiers:o Six-point starso Number 360o Number 274 or 74o Pitchfork Hand signs

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o Oakland Raiderattire

o Chicago Bullsattire (also worn by other gangs)

“B

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Hispanic / LatinoStreet Gangs

• Surenos• 18th Street• Florencia 13• Brown Pride• Nortenos• Mara Salvatrucha• Latin Kings

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• “Southerners” in Spanish• Sureno gang is an “umbrella”• Associated with Mexican Mafia

o “La Eme” prison gango Local gangsters are

“foot soldiers”L l t

Surenos

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a o Local gangs may pay taxesto La Eme

• Origins:o LA Latino gangs

since 1900o Maravilla Gangs (1930s)o Zoot Suit Riots (1940s)o Mexical Mafia (1960s)

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Surenos

o Sureno alliance inLos Angeles (1960s)

o South of Bakersfield

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• Identifiers:o Color Blueo Number 13 or X3 or XIIIo Words “south” or “Sur”o “trece” and 3 dotso Replace “e” with “3” o Eyebrow slashesa

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Surenos

o Eyebrow slasheso Letter “M” or “S”o Tattoos

• Rivals: o Nortenos, People

• Call Nortenos “buster”or “sodbuster”L

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• 18th Street Gang• Under Sureno umbrella• Area of Origin:

– Los Angeles, CA• Colors and number:

– Black, Grey, and BlueNumber 18

18th Street Gang

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– Number 18• Rival: Nortenos and

Florencia

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• Florencia Gang• Under Sureno umbrella• Area of Origin:

o Los Angeleso 1950s

Florencia 13

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o Florence Ave.

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• Identifiers:o Color Blueo Number 13o “Effe” and “Effe 13”

• Rivals:o Nortenos

Florencia 13

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o Nortenoso 18th Street

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• Brown Pride• Members may deny “gang”

membership• Identifiers:

– Brown and Blue/RedN b 13/14

Brown Pride

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– Number 13/14– Letters BP

• Rivals: Depends on alliance

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• “Northerner” in Spanish

• Associated with theNuestra Familiaprison gang

• Identify strongly with Mexican heritage

Nortenos

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Mexican heritage

• Area of Origin:o North of Bakersfieldo 1960s (Tennis shoe war)

• Rivals: o SurenosL

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• Identifiers:o Color Redo Number 14 or XIV or X4o Letter “N”o “Norte”o Tattoos

Nortenos

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• Identifiers:o Huelga Birdo UNLV attireo NorCal referenceso NFL and NBA attireo Cross out letter “S”o 5-point star

Nortenos

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p• Call Surenos “skrapa”

or “SuRat”

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Latin /Queens

• Originally Puerto Rican gang• Associated with

People Nation

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• Area of Origin:– Chicago– 1940s

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Identifiers:• Colors Yellow (Gold)

and Black• 5-pointed crown• Lion’s Head

(the lion King)

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• Number 5• 5-pointed star

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• Identifiers:o Number 360o Pitchforks downo ALKN or ALQNo “Amor de rey”

• Rivals:an

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Rivals:o Cripso Surenoso Folk Nation

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Hybrid Gangs and Other Groups

• Asian Gangs• Native American Gangs• East European “Gangs”p g• Insane Clown Posse• Straight Edge• Tagger Crews

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Asian Gangs

• Origins in Californiao Tiny Rascal Gang (TRG)o Asian BoyZ

• Usually ethnically restricted• More loosely organized,

mostly hybrid gangsOth

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y y g g• Highly Mobile (nomadic)• Not turf-oriented

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Asian Gangs

• Tend to be low-profile• Indicators:

• Colors green, black,blue, red, purple

• Cultural tattoos (dragons)• 5 dot tattoos (like dice)O

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( )• Burns• Scars (intentional)

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Asian Gangs

• Indicators:• 4 or 5 “Ts”

(love, money, prison,crime, revenge)

• Cultural tattoos (dragons, eagles, etc.)O

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• Oakland A’s hats• Crip or Blood indicia

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Native American Gangs

• Growing problem on reservationsand nearby communities

• Tend to be unstructured and informal

• May use LA gang namesP i ll

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• Presence in allWashington reservations

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Native American Gangs

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• A rap group that performs hardcore music termed “horrorcore”

• Known for dark & violent lyrics

• Followers called Juggalos and Juggalettes

Insane Clown Posse

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• Accept use ofalcohol, drugs,tobacco, and promiscuous sex

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I stab people like everyday folksskinny people any people I chop off their throatsMy stabbin's are ninja like very quickly, heyby the time you feel it I'm like 3 blocks awayI stabbed the newspaper guy and took his little trucknow I stab people and drive away I'm like puttputtputtputtI love waffle house, I stab people theretheir so shitty and dumpy they don't even care

Insane Clown Posse

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their so shitty and dumpy they don t even careI love stabbin' people, def leopard remember themwhen I cut their fuckin drummers are off, you can ask'em

Hy

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• Don’t see themselves as a gang• Little group structure,

members see themselvesas individuals

• Can be a gang by definition• Found across the country• More urban / suburban

Insane Clown Posse

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• May be violent – known tocarry hatchets / axes

• Identifiers:• “hatchet man”• face paint

Hy

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• May 2006: Jacob Robida (18) killed severalpersons in a Massachusetts gay bar using first a hatchet and then a handgun. His MySpace page indicated was a juggalo and fan of ICP and follower of the “Dark Carnival”

• June 2006: Juggalos armed with axes and machetes, attacked visitors to Fort Steilacoom Park in Tacoma They injured nearly two

Insane Clown Posse

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Park in Tacoma. They injured nearly twodozen people, and threatened to decapitate them.

• May 2008: An arson investigation in Spanaway revealed ICP graffiti.

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• Associated with hardcore punk rock music and anarchy

• Name coined by band “Minor Threat”• Follow a “clean” lifestyle – No drugs,

alcohol, tobacco• Not a “gang” per se but may fit the

definition

Straight Edge

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• Have engaged in criminal activity with ELF and Animal Liberation Front

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"I'm a person just like youBut I've got better things to doThan sit around and fuck my headHang out with the living deadSnort white shit up my nosePass out at the showsI don't even think about speed

Straight Edge

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That's something I just don't needI've got the straight edge"

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• Militant Straight Edge followers in 1990s were violent, but have diminished

• Likely vegan• Identifiers:

L tt “X” “XXX”

Straight Edge

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• Letter “X” or “XXX”• Black Bandanas• Long sideburns,

short hair• Piercings• Spike bracelets• Florida State U (FSU)

“Fuck Shit Up”

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Extremist Gangs and Groups

• Skinheads• Peckerwoods• Hammerskins• SHARPs• Others

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Skinheads• White supremacist groups

• Neo-nazi• Anti-gay• Anti-immigrant• Anti-drug use

• Origins in Europe (UK)

Ex

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g p ( )• Multi-national distribution• Widespread in US• Militaristic, anarchist

Skinheads• Violent, assaultive,

less “criminal”• Actively recruit Caucasian

“fringe” and loner youth• Raise children in the culture• Multi-generationalt

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Skinheads• Identifiers:

• Shaved heads or short haircuts

• Swastikas• Confederate flag• Air Force flight jacketst

Gro

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• Braces and boots

Ex

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Skinheads• Identifiers:

• Lightning bolts• “14 words” • Numbers 88 or 1488• Greeting “Oi” • “Skin” brand clothingt

Gro

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g• Iron Cross

• Book “Skinheadconfessions,” TJ Leyden

“We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children."

Ex

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Peckerwoods• White supremacist• Neo-nazi• Concentrated in California

and southern US• Females are called

“featherwoods”t G

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• Identifiers:• Woody woodpecker• Swastikas and other

Nazi sybols• Letters PW or APW• Numbers 88, 16, 23E

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SHARPS• Skin Heads Against Racial Prejudice• NOT racist or neo-Nazi• Recognize the bi-racial

origins of the skinheadsubculture

• Dress similar to th Ski h dt

Gro

up

s

other Skinheads• Will fight racist

Skinheads

Ex

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Hammerskins• Neo-Nazi, etc.• Originated in Dallas, TX• Name comes from a Pink

Floyd song on The Wall• Identifiers:

• Crossed Hammerst G

rou

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• Confederate flags• Nazi symbols: swastikas,

iron cross, Celtic cross• Number 88• HFFH• Otherwise similar to SkinheadsE

xtr

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Hammerskins• Identifiers:

• Nazi symbols: swastikas,iron cross, Celtic cross

• Number 88• HFFH• WP (White Power)t

Gro

up

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• Otherwise similar to Skinheads exceptdress

Ex

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In Washington . . .Courtesy Officer M. Roberge, Spokane PD

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Ex

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In Grays Harbor County . . .

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Ex

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Other Neo-Nazi Groups

VolksfrontAryan Nationt G

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White Aryan

Resistance

Nazi Lowriders Aryan BrotherhoodEx

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Dealing with Gangs in Schools

Responses to Gang Problems

SuppressionPolicingIncarcerationDress CodesZero Tolerance rules

InterventionCounselingSchool supportDrug/alcohol treatmentEmployment programsS

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Suspension / Expulsionp y p g

Diversion programs

PreventionFamily supportAcademic supportAfter-school programsYouth activities

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Traditional Gang Response

Suppression

“We can’t arrest our way out of this problem.”Chief Gil Kerlikowski --

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Prevention

Intervention

Cost: HighSuccess: LowRelative Cost: High

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Sc

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A Preventive Gang Response

Suppression

Intervention

A public health perspective emphasizes prevention and intervention.

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Prevention

Intervention

Cost: Moderate to HighSuccess: HighRelative Cost: Low or Moderate

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Risk and Protective Factors

Low academic success (SpEd)Problem behaviorsSchool discipline historyLow school attachmentGangs in communityGang-involved peers / family

Strong school attachmentExtended academic supportPositive adult relationshipsStrong parents and familyInternal locus of controlExtracurricular activities

Risk Factors Protective Factors

ors

g p yDefiant characterExternal locus of controlPoor family managementAlcohol / Drug useDelinquencySingle-parent homesEmotional trauma / abuseHopelessness

Extracurricular activitiesLong-term goals (hope)Strong school leadership (rules)Pro-social opportunitiesEmployment

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Individual Risk Factors

• Prior delinquency• Deviant attitudes• Street smartness, toughness• Defiant, individualistic character• Fatalistic view of worldo

rs

• Aggression• Proclivity for excitement and trouble

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Individual Risk Factors

• “Normlessness” in family, peers, and school

• Social disabilities• Illegal gun ownership• Precocious sexual activity

Al h l d dors

• Alcohol and drug use• Drug trafficking• Desire for group rewards• Problem behaviors – hyperactivity,

externalizing, lack of refusal skills

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Early Signs of Gang Association

• Attendance�problems

• Academic�decline

• Behavioral�changes�(defiance,�disrespect)

“School attendance is the first thing affected by gang membership.”-- National Center for School Engagement

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• Change�in�style�of�dress

• Tattoos

• School�detachment

• Gang�involved�peers�(change�in�friends)

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Sc

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Style vs. Gang Clothing

• Popular styles emulate gang clothing

• Clothing is usually not a definitive indicator

• “Gang-like” does notequal “gang associated”D d hibit

Ga

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n • Dress codes can prohibit

items that may be disruptive

• Policy or rules must not beoverly vague

• Statute limits ability to suspend for “gang activity”

• Uniforms are a best practice

If it looks like a duck, is it a duck?

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Safe School Environment

• “Gang neutral” vs. “gang free”• Gang symbols threaten safety• Remove graffiti immediately

(photograph and catalog first)• Warning signs:

o Crossed out graffitiSc

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o Increasing graffitio Number 187o Letter “K”o Drive by activityo Mass absence

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Resources

General Gang and Hate Group Knowledge:• Know Gangs: www.knowgangs.com• Gangs or Us: www.gangsorus.com• National Gang Center: www.nationalgangcenter.gov• Street Gangs: www.streetgangs.com

(mostly LA, but good information since our gangs come from California) • Into the Abyss:

htt //f lt i i t t d /M/Mi h lC li /ce

s

http://faculty.missouristate.edu/M/MichaelCarlie/(a scholarly online book about gangs)

• StrHATE Talk: www.strhatetalk.com (hate group info)

Regional Gangs:• Northwest Gangs: www.nwgangs.com

(lists of regional sets, collections of photos)

Re

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Resources

Recommended Books:• Luis Rodriguez. Always Running• William Dunn. The Gangs of Los Angeles• Al Valdez. A Guide to Understanding Street Gangs• TJ Leyden. Skinhead Confessions

ce

s

Gang Clothing:• Zazzle: www.zazzle.com

(site that sells “low pro” clothing for gangs and hate groups)

Gang and Hate Group Forums:• Know Gangs:

http://www.knowgangs.com/forum• The Hood Up: www.thehoodup.com

(gangsters talk about gangs – warning: language is graphic)

Re

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Thank�You�!!

Tyson�Vogeler

Program�Supervisor

Washington�State�School�Safety�Center

P.O.�Box�47200

Ol i WA 97504 7200

For more information on the Gangs in Schools Task Force, or gangs in Washington, contact:

Olympia,�WA��97504�7200

360�725�4479

[email protected]

www.k12.wa.us/safetycenter