HOW GANGS AFFECT OUR COMMUNITY
Gang Awareness Training
D-11 Schools & Neighborhoods
-Sandy Thornsby, M.Ed.
338-4176
May 2007
In many parts of the country, race,
nationality, and gender determine which gang
can be joined. In Colorado Springs, gangs are
hybrid in nature. Members are jumped into
gangs based on their willingness to perform
“required” gang related activities, rather than
their race, nationality, or gender.
GOTHICS
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Dress totally in black
Use make-up to mimic that of Marilyn
Manson
Self mutilate
Multiple piercing of the nose, tongue,
eyebrows, ears, belly button, lip, and
chin
Die hair in multiple colors or jet black
Carry around metal lunch boxes
Draw occult symbols & use numbers
666 & 1394 (acid) in graffiti
Carry razor blades for blood letting
and drinking
Attend rave parties
Ecstasy & acid are drugs of choice
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GraffitiSTRAIGHT-EDGE
located in a drainage ditch
near
Beliefs: a middle school
Abstain from the use of:
-tobacco
-alcohol
-drugs
-premarital sex
(The problem lies when they see others
involving themselves with the above
Rivals:
activities Straight Edge members have
•beenCrip
Gang
known
to try to force their beliefs on
by usingaligned
violence.)
•others
Anyone
with Crips
VAMPIRES
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Tattoo themselves with the letter “X”
Body Piercing is also popular: nose
tongue, eyebrows, ears, belly button,
lip, and chin
Shaved heads are common
Baggy clothes
May ID themselves as Skateboarders
Align themselves with
-animal activists
-animal liberation front
-coalition to abolish fur traders
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Heavy into the Occult and Satanism
Usually low self esteem
Problems in school (attendance &
discipline)
Dress in black clothing
Girls use white make-up
Fascinated with death
Vampires believe they are immortal
and can live for 300 years
To become a vampire one must be
bitten by another vampire. The
drinking of each other’s blood is part
of the ritual. Vampires have no fear
of Aids as they believe they are immortal so therefore they cannot die.
They believe the only way to kill a
vampire is to decapitate them
Vegans: Vegetarians– typically will not
eat animal bi-products
Becans: Often times the militant side of
Straight-Edge
Identifying Gang Behavior
In terms of identifying someone who
is claiming a particular gang affiliation, it is
very important to look for multiple signs. A
single sign, in isolation, is often not a credible
way to identify gang affiliation accurately.
However, a combination of identifiers may
indicate the need to seek support the child who
may be gang involved.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SCHEDULE A
STAFF “GANG AWARENESS”
TRAINING?
(contact me)
gangawareness@aol.com