Gang Prevention

Announcement

Possible Signs of Gang Involvement

It's not just a police problem; it's a community problem.

Changes in behavior and dress can be a normal part of adolescence or an indication of inappropriate identification and association. Know the difference by being an involved parent.

The following can be signs of possible gang involvement:

Physical Signs:

Peer-conforming dress
Extreme hair styles
Tattoos
Use or overuse of make-up

Behavioral Signs:

Poor school and/or work attendance
No participation in family activities or withdrawal
Use of slang vocabulary
Associating with undesirable people
Staying out later than usual
Desiring too much privacy
Starting to drink or use drugs
Receiving money or articles without parental permission or awareness
Unusual moods or patterns of behavior

Non-Verbal Communication Signs:

Seemingly meaningless or highly stylized graffiti
Graffiti writing on notebooks, books, or papers
Using hand signals

Parental, neighborhood, and law enforcement involvement is the only way gang activity will be curbed.

Remember, this is your school community--not the gangs'!

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