NCJ Number
166157
Journal
School Safety Dated: (Spring 1996) Pages: 4-7
Date Published
1996
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article suggests strategies and techniques for school administrators to use in managing and controlling gang-member behaviors on school campuses.
Abstract
The author, who is assistant principal at a high school and the principal of an alternative school for at-risk students (both in Tracy, Calif.), advises that it is futile to try and eliminate gangs in schools, since gang life is an ingrained part of the subculture of many communities. School administrators should, however, seek to eliminate gang activities and their detrimental effects on the school campus. The first step is to establish the campus as a "neutral zone," similar to a neutral zone in a war. The author's school has experienced only one gang-related incident in nearly 3 years. This has been achieved by working with the gang leaders and prominent gang members who attend the school. It is important to identify gang members and gang leaders. This article suggests ways of doing this. Having identified gang leaders, school administrators should deal directly with them in a manner that shows the respect deserving of a leader. In a clear and respectful manner, gang leaders must be told what kind of behavior the school expects of gang members while they are on school property. All gang leaders and gangs must be treated equally, fairly, and consistently if their cooperation is to be secured in specific incidents. This article also discusses the documentation of gang activity, dress codes for students when at school, requirements and techniques for searching students, dealing with parents, cooperation with law enforcement agencies, and educating the faculty about the management of gangs and gang members at school.