Gang Awareness

Question 1

What is the social definition of a gang?

Answer 1

A group of three or more that:

• Share a common identifier
• That has some type of association
• And they commit crime

Question 2

What do gangs feature?

Answer 2

• Their name
• Their symbol
• Similiar characteristics
• There is a potential to pose a threat

Question 3

What factors play into youth joining gangs?

Answer 3

• Economic conditions
• Dysfunctional families
• Culture of violence
• Bias
• Racism

Question 4

What are common gang identifiers?

Answer 4

Gang clothing:

• Gang specific
• Not fashion
• Sport team attire

Tattoos:

• Communication
• Identification
• Gang Name
• Nick name
• Last name

Gang graffiti:

• “Newspaper of the street”
• Advertise
• Lists members
• Issues warning or decrees

Question 5

What is gang graffiti?

Answer 5

1) Genrerally, gang graffiti marks territory of certain gangs.
2) Gang graffiti will also identify specific gang members and their monikers / nicknames.
3) Gang graffiti sometimes is threatening in nature.

Question 6

What is tagging?

Answer 6

1) More abstract and artistic. Example is a mural with several colors.
2) May contain lettering that is difficult to read.
3) Taggers don’t consider themselves to be criminals, while gangsters take pride in being part of a criminal subculture.