THE LEYDEN COMMUNITY & GANGS

Presented by:

An outline of gangs in the Leyden area and the programs and responses developed to

address them.

West Leyden Deans East Leyden Dean

Tim Ruettiger Mike Grosch

1

What is a gang?

A street gang is an organized group that participates in criminal, threatening, or intimidating activity.

It includes three or more individuals with recognizable symbols, a definable hierarchy, and geographical territory.

Its members recognize a code of conduct, meet regularly, and engage in an organized, continuous course of criminal activity.

Chicago Crime Commission

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Leyden High School District #212

Any organization, club, or group composed wholly or in part of students or in part by students, which seeks to perpetuate itself by acceptance of additional members from students enrolled in the district, which is assembled for the common purpose of:

1. Committing or conspiring to commit criminal offenses.

2. Engaging in conduct that is inimical to the public good.

3. Engaging in conduct that interferes with or disrupts the District’s educational process or programs.

Membership in a gang, recruiting gang members, involvement in gang activities and display of gang symbols or paraphernalia are strictly prohibited.

Leyden District #212, Student Code of Conduct

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Gangs in Chicago

75 – 100 gangs in Chicago

Estimated gang membership 25,000 – 125,000

80% of gang membership is dominated by 7 “Super” street gangs.

Gangster Disciple Nation (GDN) GD’s & BD’s

Black Gangsters/New Breeds (BG)

Latin Kings (LK)

Black P Stone Nation

Vice Lords (VL)

Four Corner Hustlers

Maniac Latin Disciples (MLDs) 4

People & Folks

People & Folks evolved along racial lines during the 1970’s in the Illinois prison system by incarcerated gang members for protection.

Traditionally “People” gangs would represent to the left. Wearing hats tilted to the left side; earrings in the left ear; the left shoe tied a certain way; the left pant leg cuffed; the left pocket hanging out etc. Conversely the “Folks” gangs would represent to the right.

While “People” & “Folks” alignments still exist these alliances mean less today than ever before.

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PEOPLE v FOLKS

LOVE LIFE

LOYALTY WISDOM

KNOWLEDGE UNDERSTANDING

LOVEHONOR

OBEDIENCESACRIFICE

RIGHTEOUSNESS

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“People” Gangs12th Street Players

Bishops

Black “P” Stone Nation

Cobra Stones

Cullerton Deuces

El Rukn’s

Four Corner Hustlers

Gaylords

Insane Popes (S)

Insane Unknowns

Jousters

Kenmore Boys

Kents

King Cobras

Laflin Lovers

Latin Brothers

La Familia Stones

Latin Counts

Latin Dragons

Latin Kings

Latin Pachucos

Latin Saints

Mickey Cobras

Noble Knights

Party Gents

Party Players

Puerto Rican Stones

Spanish Lords

Stoned Freaks

Vice Lords (12 factions)

Villa Lobos

Warlords“Independent” GangsGangster Stones

MS 13

Sureno 13

CHICAGO AREA GANGS

22 Boys

26 or Gangster 26

Ambrose

Ashland Vikings

Black Disciples

Black Gangsters/New Breeds

Black Souls

Braizers

Campbell Boys

“C” Notes

City Knights

Gangster Disciples

Harrison Gents

Imperial Gangsters

Insane Deuces

Insane Popes (N)

Insane Spanish Cobras

Krazy Get Down Boys

La Raza

Latin Disciples

Latin Dragons

Latin Eagles

Latin Jivers

Latin Lovers

Latin Souls

Latin Stylers

Maniac Latin Disciples

Milwaukee Kings

Morgan Boys

Orchestra Albany

Party People

Racine Boys

Ridgeway Lords

Satan Disciples

Simon City Royals

Sin City Boys

YLO Cobras

“Folks” Gangs

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LEYDEN AREA GANGS

Imperial Gangsters

Maniac Latin Disciples

Latin Kings

Ambrose

Vice Lords

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Simon City Royals

Latin Souls

La Raza

Latin Eagles

Latin Counts

“The only gang members in Naperville are the ones

getting off the tollway from Chicago going to Aurora.”

Naperville Chief of Police

Gang “infractions” at Leyden consistently run

between 2% and 2.5% of the student body.*

Gang “membership” %?

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Who are gang members?

Male & female: The common perception is that most gang members are male; however, female gang members in Chicago number between 16,000 & 20,000.

Problems at School: Many gang members have experienced academic difficulties, truancy problems, and other discipline issues.

Police contact: Many gang members have had previous police contact.

Family problems: Economic difficulties, lack of parental supervision, abuse, neglect. Family legacy.

Multi-ethnic: Gang membership crosses racial and ethnic lines.*

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Warning signs

Changes in: Attitude: No longer cares about school, sports, etc.

Behavior: Getting into trouble.

Friends: New friends, friends you haven’t met.

Appearance: Baggy, oversize clothes, certain color combinations prevalent.

Grades: Sudden drop in grades.

Drugs or alcohol: Sudden use or increased use.

Graffiti: Gang symbols, characters, or drawings.

Tattoos: Symbols, characters, or drawings. 10

Why join a gang?

Identity & recognition: Those who do not “fit in” to the dominant culture will find other places to “fit in.”

Status: The gang member becomes someone to be feared and respected.

Protection: Protection from rival gangs and from the one joined.

Money: Access to drugs and money.

Family: Where family support is lacking, the gang can become the surrogate family. Family legacy.

Popular culture: Movies, television, video games, music videos, all glamorize gang culture.

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Gang Member IdentificationAdmission of gang affiliation.

Gang related tattoos.

Gang nickname.

Associates w/known gang members.

In gang photograph(s).

I.D. as gang member by parent or guardian.

Victims are rival gang members.

Wears “colors.”

I.D. by law enforcement

I.D. by rival gang.

Named in gang graffiti or other documents.

Draws or possesses gang symbols.

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Gang graffiti – the 4 “R”s

Read it – gang writing offers valuable intelligence about gangs active in the area.

Record it – take a photograph for future reference.

Report it – to local law enforcement for police report and for removal.

Remove it – graffiti left in place promotes more graffiti.

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Common Gang Symbols

“A” = Almighty

e.g., “Almighty” Imperial Gangsters

Six point “Star of David” for David Barksdale the founder of the original Black Disciples. (F)

Five point star (P)

Pitchforks pointed up (P)

The cross is used by several gangs.

Pointed crown (P)

Rounded crown (F)

Rabbit’s head

Dice

Martini glass

Top hat & cane

Pyramid & crescent moon

Numbers & letters26 74 197

88 22 24

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IMPERIAL GANGSTERS

55LATIN KINGS

Examples of common gang symbols

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Gang Symbol Interpretation - 101

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Responding to Gangs & Gang Activity

Minor, non-violent 1st offense

*10 day suspension.

Parent conference REQUIRED.

Police notification.

“Final Warning” contract.

Referral to Y.O.S.

*10 day suspension may be reduced if the student successfully

completes Y.O.S. program.

Violent, recruiting, or 2nd offense

10 day suspension - possible recommendation for expulsion.

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Final Warning

A behavior contract signed by the student, the parent(s), the counselor, and dean.

Two years in length.

Restricts behavior & apparel.

Consequences clearly spelled out.

Offers a path to change.

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Youth Outreach Services – Y.O.S.

CHOICES Program

Community based.

Parent involvement required.

Holistic approach.

School notified of student progress.

10 days suspension reduced to 3 upon agreement to enroll in CHOICES.

Remaining suspension days are held in abeyance until program completed.

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Epilogue

“The best way to make sure little gang-bangers become big gang-bangers is to do nothing.”

Gangs are a fact of life. They exist (to some extent) in every community.

Gangs are constantly changing & evolving.

Effective gang interventions involve schools, community groups, & law enforcement.

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gangresearch.net/ChicagoGangs/chiroomnew.html

www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/gangs/chicago3.html

 www.19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us/juveniles/gangs.htm

http://www.adl.org/hate_symbols/neo_nazi_symbols.asp

To learn more about gangs……