ON THE HOME FRONT: What can be done about Graffiti:

8 Read it, record it, report it, remove it

COUNTERING THE LURE OF GANGS 8 The graffiti must be read and interpreted for danger signs
8 Know your child’s friends 8 It should be photographed
8 Occupy your child’s free time with school, sports or church activities 8 A police report should be made for tracking purposes
8
8
Plan family outings and activities
Give your child responsibilities or chores at home
8 It should be removed to reduce the likelihood to continue violence
ABORIGINAL GANG AWARENESS
8 Don’t allow your child to wear gang colours or paraphernalia
8 Know where your child is going, when he/she is going out late at night. Know who
your child is with and check in with them
8 Participate in your child’s education. Know what’s happening at school
8 Develop anti-gang attitudes in your home. Let your child know that you will not

8
tolerate gang involvement
Spend time with your child. If you spend time with him/her, he or she will not have e
to go to a gang to fill that need
8 Be a role model journey
8 Believe in your young person
to a
What is a Gang?
positive
A street gang is a group of people consorting
For contacts and resources:
• www.bewebaware.ca future
together to engage in unlawful activity.
- Criminal Intelligence Service of Canada (CISC)
• www.canadiansafeschools.com
• www.cybertip.ca
• laws.justice.gc.ca/en
involves
• www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca
• www.safecanada.ca/gangs_e.asp
good
• www.deal.org
• www.cantraining.org/BTC/research.php
decisions.

8
How to help someone leave a gang . . . • www.publicsafety.gc.ca
Myth: • www.gov.mb.ca/justice/safe/gangproof
Think it through! The media portrays gangs • www.cisc.gc.ca
Speak to family & community resources as glamorous. • www.ocabc.org
Take it one step at a time • www.bccrimestoppers.com
Remember . . . fear is based on the Fact:
unknown Portrayal differs from the
reality of what happens on
Visit the RCMP
Get professional help
the street. Media often BC Aboriginal Policing website:
Develop a Community Strategy that is
portrays the positive aspects,
integrated with social agencies
Be informed before giving out advice!
but fails to tell the whole
truth.
www.aboriginal.bc.rcmp.ca A handbook for families and communities
CEP SCEP
UNION
2000
LABEL
SpeeDee Printers - 03/09

Possible signs of gangs Who joins a gang?
in your community: Gangs spread across all races
and ethnic origins.
They are not restricted to any
8 Increase in graffiti in the neighbourhoods one socio-economic group.
8 Increase in crime, especially violent crime They often include people who
8 Increase in groups of unknown subjects loitering are looking for a surrogate
in the neighbourhoods, especially those who fit family.
the description of a gang member Some may join a gang because
8 Increase in suspected narcotics activity they have relatives or friends in
8 Gang colours and signs in community areas and the gang.
schools Gang members are often
8 Increase in community FEAR - witnesses and dealing with their own drug
and/or alcohol issues or
victims are reluctant to talk to police
addictions.
Common gang symbols and signs:
8 Bandanas
Top 10 reasons
8 Ball caps with logos or writing
youth join gangs:
1. Surrogate family
8 Specific styles of dress or clothing
2. Identity or recognition
8 Tattoos
3. Family history
8 Hand signs 4. Lack of alternatives
8 Graffiti 5. Intimidation
8 Weapons 6. Protection
7. Money
8 Drugs
8. Prestige or power
Signs someone you know is getting involved in gang life: Myth:
Factors that influence youth A gang will protect you.
8 staying out late
8 unexplained injuries joining a gang: Fact:
It depends on your status
8 withdrawal from family and friends There are many factors that can influence a youth to join a within the gang and
usefulness. Just being a
8 secretive about new friends and/or sudden change in friends gang. You should watch for the following when trying to
determine if a youth is at risk: member in a certain street
8 abrupt change in personality gang will greatly increase
8 low self esteem with a sense of helplessness
8 unexplained new possessions or unaccounted monies your risk to physical danger.
8 peer pressure from family gang members
8 preference for certain colour/brand/style of clothing
8 parental neglect
8 graffiti on personal items such as notebooks or bedroom walls 8 poverty/substandard housing or living in high-risk
8 tattoos or markings of gang symbols on hands or body neighbourhoods
8 frequent contact with authority figures or police 8 substance abuse in the and outside of the home
8 truancy from school 8 dropping out of school or truancy
8 lack of hobbies or too much leisure time 8 friends/family members with criminal backgrounds
8 antisocial, hostile or aggressive behaviours toward
8 problems at home
people in authority
8 social deprivation or isolation behaviours
Myth: Common Traits of a Gang: 8 feel the need for personal protection
Gangs are respected by the
community 8 More highly organized 8 perceived lack of employment opportunities
8 Definite leadership structure 8 lack of positive role models
Fact:
Most communities look 8 unaware of the consequences of gang involvement
8 Systematic involvement in violence
down on gangs and their 8 lack of employment opportunities
criminal activities, violence 8 Crime for profit is a major activity operating under 8 domestic violence/physical and/or sexual abuse
and intimidation tactics. the powerful influence of “gang mentality”
Gang members always 8 media glorification of the gang life style
mistake fear as respect. 8 Tend to associate with other gang members
They continually worry
about who is or is not
exclusively Any combination of these

8
9. Friendship or brotherhood 8 Rivalries between gangs often lead to victimization
showing respect.
of members
risk factors/influences =
Myth: 10. Feeling of belonging
A gang is like a family 8 High demands regarding loyalty
Fact:
Gangs function directly opposite of a true family. Do your part. Report gang activity.
Where families sacrifice for the benefit of the
individual member, the gang requires the individual
to sacrifice for the whole. Gangs also judge you
1-800-222-8477
regarding your clothing and enforce rules through CRIMESTOPPERS HOT LINE high risk of getting involved
violence. Info Line: 1-888-688-4264 (OUT-GANG) in a gang.