WHAT IS A GANG?
 According to the FBI, a gang is a “group of three or
more individuals bonded together by race, national
origin, culture or territory, who associate on a
continual basis for the purpose of committing criminal
acts”
TYPES OF GANGS
1. “Hedonistic” gangs
-Mostly social groups
-Main focus is partying (getting drunk or high)
-If violence occurs it is usually over the “right” to party and not over “turf”
2. “Instrumental” gangs
-These gangs are likely to commit crimes against property rather than crimes against
people (e.g. Car thefts or burglaries)
-Main motivation is money
3. “Predatory” gangs
-Considered social predators, meaning they commit
violent crimes against people (e.g. Drive-by shootings,
organized drug deals, carjacking)
-Tend to use drugs that enhance violent behaviour
including crystal meth or crack
-They associate fear as a way to achieve domination
and control
WHY DO PEOPLE JOIN GANGS?
 Identity
 Discipline
 Recognition
 Love
 Belonging
 Money
 Safety
GANG FACTS
 Gangs have been around for hundreds of
years
 Pirates are often considered one of the first
organized bad gangs
 Street gangs exist in large urban centres,
smaller cities, suburbs and even rural areas
 Gangs usually prey on each other or other gangs,
not on outsiders
 Street gangs typically fight or defend particular
areas known as “turf”
 Some gangs have formalized rules and operations
however, most are loose associations of young
people
 Young people join gangs because of racism,
poverty or lack of love and support at home
 The media has promoted gang culture through
film, news, and music; glorifying the underbelly of
gang culture including drugs, sex, and violence as
a way to attain wealth and power
 The Bloods and the Crips are modern day gangs
that originated in the 1960s and are highly organized
GANG CLOTHING & STYLES
Gang members often wear clothes or clothing
items that will distinguish themselves from
others or send a message. Some clothing items,
such as bandanas may be obvious, whereas
other items may have a more subtle message.
The more common items you may see is for
example a blue bandana worn on the head or
hanging out of a pocket to signify a “Crip”
member or red bandana for “Blood”. Gang
members will also wear certain manufacturer
clothing such as Calvin Klein because the letters
CK on the front of the t-shirt can signify “Crip Killer” in the gang culture.
GRAFFITI
Some call it urban expression, however unless you have the permission of the owner of
the property, spraying an object/ wall is a criminal offence; mischief. Not all graffiti is
gang related. Gangs do however use graffiti to communicate:
- Send a message to other gangs;
- Stake out their territory;
- Communicate and instill fear in the community.