GANGS
AND
GANG AWARENESS
Objectives
1. You will learn the definitions of the term GANG.
2. You will learn the reasons why kids join gangs
and the levels of gang involvement.
3. You will learn the profile of a gang member and
colors, clothing and tattoos associated with gang
members.
Objectives
4. You will learn about the founders and
history of two of the most dangerous gangs.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this presentation is used
as a general guide and not the primary source of
identification of gangs. This presentation is to
educate and inform the public on gangs only.
Gang Definition
An ongoing organization, association, or group
of 3 or more persons, with a common interest,
bond or activity. Characterized by the
commission of , or involvement in, a pattern
of criminal or delinquent behavior.
Reasons to Join a GANG
Protection
Poverty
Emotional Needs
Social Support
Doitnow.org
FACTORS OF GANG LIFE
Natural Family vs. Gang Family
POWER
MONEY
SEX
DRUGS
PROTECTION
Levels of Gang Involvement
• Level I - Fantasy
• Knows about gangs primarily from newspaper,
newscasts, and the movies.
May or may not know about “real” gangs.
Sees gang members as “living out a fantasy”.
• Level II - At Risk
• Knows about gangs and gang members, first
hand.
Casually and occasionally associates with gang
members.
Level of Gang cont.
• Lives in or near gang areas (turf).
May like and/or admire the gang lifestyle but
not participate fully.
• Level III - Wannabe, Associate
• Knows and likes gang members, first hand.
• Regularly associates with gang members.
Considers gangs and related activity as
normal, acceptable or admirable.
Level of Gangs
• Level V - Hard-core gang member
• Totally committed to the gang and gang lifestyle.
Totally rejects anyone other than the gang.
Is considered hard core by self, other gang
members and authorities.
Will commit any act with the approval of a
demand from the gang.
Does not accept any authority other than the
gang.
WHAT ARE YOUR KIDS DOING?
Video Games
Sports
Music
• How Many Gangs Members are in
Mecklenburg County?
Gangs in Mecklenburg County
• There are over 1200 gang members in
Mecklenburg County.
• Crips
• Rollin 60’s, Grave Yard, Insane 60’s
• Dirty Inc, Gunna Boyz, Folk, KTK
• Goon Squad, TTG
• Bloods
Morris Farms Gorillas, Gshyne, New Jack, MS13,
Sur 13
Gang Identifiers
GANG CATEGORIES
Folk Nation
People Nation
Hispanic Gangs
Traditional Gangs
BLOODS
CRIPS
MS13
SUR 13
PEOPLE NATION
PEOPLE NATION
PEOPLE NATION
PEOPLE NATION
BLOODS
• CHARACTERISTICS
Fading to the left
#5
5 point star
“5 poppin 6 droppin”
Red
BLAT
BLOODS
AREA BLOOD SETS
•
•
•
•
Morris Farms Gorillas
Gshyne
Beatties Ford Bloods
NJ
BLOODS
BLOODS
BLOODS
BLOODS
Hand Signs
• Several gang members use non-verbal
communications :
• Wiping Face- identifies Police
• Rub Stomach- Surround enemy, get ready to
attack
• Wipe Bottom of Shoe- Identifies an enemy
BLOODS
FOLK NATION
FOLK NATION
FOLK NATION
CRIPS
• CHARACTERISTICS
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fading to the right
#6
6 point star
“6 poppin 5 droppin”
Blue
CLAT
CRIPS
•
•
•
•
Rollin 60’s
Grave Yard Gangsta
Dirty Inc
Goon Squad
Kut Throat Killerz, Kut
Throat Kommitte
CRIPS
CRIPS
HIDDEN VALLEY KINGS
HV KINGS
HV Kings
•
•
•
•
K- krucial
I-islamic
N-nubian
G-gods
HV KINGS
Paco Grier- OK
• Shot and killed in 2003
Rosco Abel-OK
Took over decided to do business differently
Hispanic/Latino Gangs
Very Dangerous Mexicans
18th Street
Surenos or Sur-13
Vatos Locos
Latin Kings
Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)
Malditos
Mexican Mafia
MS 13
MS 13
What does MS 13 mean?
MS 13
• Ernesto “Smokey” Miranda- Founders
• Julio Cesar
• Ernesto immigrated to LA in the 80’s
MS 13
MS 13
MS 13
MS 13
SUR 13
• A Chicano Street Gang from LA
• Originated in 1960’s
• There color is mainly blue but are seen
wearing gray, white, black
• Tats
• 3 dots represents mi vida loca “my crazy life”
• Theater faces- laugh now, cry later
Hispanic Gangs Symbols
Mexican Mafia
Latin Kings
TTG BOYS
• TTG started by the Rap Group, Wocka Flocka
Flame, and he has a rap song called Trained To
Go.
• A loosely group of young men ranging from
13-20 throughout Mecklenburg County.
• Not documented as gang yet.
• However, they are known to do break-ins
throughout the county.
FACEBOOK
CHECKLIST
1. Is graffiti showing up in your neighborhood or
school?
2. Has any graffiti been crossed out by other
graffiti?
3. Do some students or young people in the
neighborhood wear noticeable “colors,”
bandanas or tattoos?
4. Do some students or neighborhoods display
behavior that may be gang related, such as
meeting in groups?
5. Do some students or neighborhood kids flash
hand signals?
CHECKLIST
1. Is graffiti showing up in your neighborhood or
school?
2. Has any graffiti been crossed out by other
graffiti?
3. Do some students or young people in the
neighborhood wear noticeable “colors,”
bandanas or tattoos?
4. Do some students or neighborhoods display
behavior that may be gang related, such as
meeting in groups?
5. Do some students or neighborhood kids flash
hand signals?
CHECKLIST
12. Has the truancy rate noticeably increased during
the past year?
13. Have the number of racial incidents increased in
the community and/or school.
14. Does the community have a history of gang
presence or activity?
15. Is there an increasing presence of “informal” social
groups with unusual names such as “SUR” or “East
Side”?
16. Have your children come home with bruises for no
reason.
Warning Signs That Your Child
May be Involved with a Gang
• 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, websites
• Uses unusual hand signals
to communicate with
friends
• Has specific drawings or
gang symbols on school
books, clothes, wall, or
tattoos
• Comes home with
unexplained physical
injuries (fight related
bruises, injuries to hands
and knuckles)
Warning Signs That Your Child
May be Involved with a Gang
• Has unexplained cash
or goods, such as
clothing or jewelry
• Carries a weapon
• Has been in trouble
with police
• Exhibits negative changes in
behavior such as:
– Withdrawing from family
– Declining in school attendance,
performance, behavior
– Staying out late without reason
– Displaying an unusual desire for
secrecy
– Exhibiting signs of drug abuse
– Breaking the rules constantly
– Speaking in gang style slang
List provide by COPS Office
What Parents
can do to
Prevent Gang
Involvement
• Spend quality time with
your child
• Get involved in your
child’s school activities
• 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/resolutions
skills
(www.safeyouth.org/scripts
/teens/conflict.asp)
• Encourage your child to
participate in positive
afterschool activities with
adult supervision (rec
centers, organized sports,
youth groups)
• Take action in your
neighborhood (create
an alliance, report and
remove graffiti)
• Talk with your child
about the dangers and
consequences of gang
involvement. Let them
know that you don’t
want to see him/her
hurt or arrested
• Explain to your child that
he/she should NOT:
-associate with gang members
-attend parties or social events
sponsored by gang members
-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
provided by COPS office
Community Involvement
•
•
•
•
Teach Children
Get Involved
Use Common Sense Tips
Report Crimes and Suspicious
Activities
• Get to Know Your Neighbors
Community Involvement
•
•
•
•
Find a group or start one of your own
Become a mentor/tutor
Become active in youth affairs
Become familiar with the network of youthserving agencies in the community
• Neighborhood clean-up and beautification
projects
Summary
• You have learned what a gang is and how
to identify gang activity in your area.
• You have learned warning signs that your
child may be involved with a gang and
how you can prevent it.
• You learned what you as a community
can do about gang activity.
Contact Information
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Police Dept.
Angelia B Cathcart
Detective
980-343-2762
angelia.bradshaw@cmspd.org