NCJ Number
165743
Date Published
1997
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This report by the Sapulpa Police Department (Oklahoma) provides a summary of information on gangs so as to improve citizen "gang awareness" and encourage community involvement in prevention measures.
Abstract
Gangs are defined as "a group of people who form an allegiance for a common purpose and engage in violent, unlawful, or criminal activity." Gangs are primarily oriented toward territory and use graffiti to mark territorial boundaries. In discussing why youth join gangs, the report advises that the reasons include the excitement of gang activity, peer pressure, attention, financial benefit, family tradition, broken homes, lack of family values, and a lack of realization of the hazards involved. The report discusses gang names, leadership, "cliques" and "sets," the effect of gang involvement, and gang activities. Also addressed are how gang members are identified, gang dress, and graffiti. In discussing what citizens can do to prevent and counter gangs, the report suggests that communities provide alternatives to gang involvement, including positive community youth groups such as the Boy Scouts, church youth groups, and community sports programs. Citizen groups can counter the growth of gang power by establishing action groups such as the Neighborhood Watch. Prevention efforts fall primarily on parents, who should monitor their children's behavior and note any warning signs such as truancy, a decline in grades, a change in friends, late hours, and graffiti in their bedrooms. Other suggestions are the provision of well-lighted areas and the immediate removal of graffiti.