SIGNS YOUR CHILD IS IN A GANG AND HOW TO PREVENT GANG INVOLVEMENT

• Admits to “hanging out”
with kids in gangs
• Shows an unusual
interest in one or two
particular colors of
clothing or a particular
logo
• Has an unusual interest
in gangster-influenced
music, videos, movies,
or websites.
• Uses unusual hand
signals to communicate
with friends
• Has specific drawings or
gang symbols on school
books, clothes, walls, or
tattoos
• Comes home with
unexplained physical
injuries (fighting-related
bruises, injuries to
hand/knuckles)
• Has unexplained cash or
goods, such as clothing
or jewelry
• Carries a weapon
• Has been in trouble with
the police
• Exhibits negative
changes in behavior
such as:
* Withdrawing from
family
* Declining school
attendance,
performance, behavior
* Staying out late
without reason
* Displaying an unusual
desire for secrecy
* Exhibiting signs of
drug use
* Breaking rules
consistently
* Speaking in gangstyle slang

WHAT TO DO TO PREVENT GANG INVOLVEMENT

What Parents Can Do to Prevent
Gang Involvement
• Spend quality time with
your child
• Get involved in your
child’s school activities
• Be a positive role model
and set the right
example
• Know your child’s
friends and their
families
• Encourage good study
habits
• Teach your child how to
cope with peer pressure
• Help your child develop
good conflict/resolution
skills (See
www.safeyouth.org/scri
pts/teens/conflict.asp)
• Encourage your child to
participate in positive
afterschool activities
with adult supervision
(recreation centers,
organized sports, youth
groups)
• Take action in your
neighborhood (create a
neighborhood alliance,
report and remove
graffiti)
• Talk with your child
about the dangers and
consequences of gang
involvement. Let your
child know that you
don’t want to see him or
her hurt or arrested.
Explain to your child that
he or she should NOT:
* Associate with gang
members
* Attend parties or
social events
sponsored by gangs
* Use hand signs,
symbols, or language
that is meaningful to
gangs
* Wear clothing,
including specific
colors, which may
have meaning to
gangs in your area