GANGS - HOME SAFETY

Public safety should be our number one priority when it comes to our neighborhoods. People should be able to walk, ride bikes or just stand in front of their homes without being intimidated by gang members. As one of the fastest growing counties in the nation, it is important that our quality of life problems are addressed..

Accompanying this growth has been an increase in the number of gangs moving into the Valley. People living in areas with pronounced gang problems are not just fearful of gunshots and graffiti. They are afraid of how the neighborhood will influence their kids, and for good reason. Living in an area with gang problems is one of the biggest influences on a child's decision to join a gang.

That is why our communities need to join together and work with law enforcement so that our neighborhoods do not become a public nuisance, deteriorating the quality of life.


Communication between neighbors, from citizens to law enforcement, and from law enforcement to citizens, is key when trying to make our community a safer place to live. Here are some things you can do:

• Work with public agencies and other organizations to solve common problems.
• Make sure that all the youth in the neighborhood have positive ways to spend their spare time, through organized recreation, tutoring programs, and volunteer opportunities.
• Set up a Community Watch program, working with local law enforcement agencies. Make sure your streets and homes are well-lit.
• Build a partnership with law enforcement, focused on solving ongoing problems, instead of reacting to crises after the fact.
• Take advantage of solidarity in numbers to show you're determined to drive out crime and drugs.
• Clean up the neighborhood! Involve everyone. Let criminals know that you do care about where you live!
• Ask local officials to use new ways to rid your community of criminals. These include enforcing housing, health, and fire codes, and putting drug-free clauses in rental leases.
• Support victims and court witnesses.
• Work with schools to establish drug free zones and install metal detectors.
• Develop and share information with local organizations that can provide other services neighbors might need.

(Source: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services)

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, or websites.
• Uses unusual hand signals to communicate with friends
• Has specific drawings or gang symbols on school books, clothes, walls, or tattoos
• Comes home with unexplained physical injuries (fighting-related bruises, injuries to hand/knuckles)
• Has unexplained cash or goods, such as clothing or jewelry
• Carries a weapon
• Has been in trouble with the police
• Exhibits negative changes in behavior such as:
  • Withdrawing from family
  • Declining school attendance, performance, behavior
  • Staying out late without reason
  • Displaying an unusual desire for secrecy
  • Exhibiting signs of drug use
  • Breaking rules consistently
  • Speaking in gang style slang

(Source: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services)

What Parents Can Do to Prevent Gang Involvement

• Spend quality time with your child
• Get involved in your child's school activities
• Be a positive role model and set the right example
• 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/resolution skills (See www.safeyouth.org)
• Encourage your child to participate in positive after school activities with adult supervision (recreation centers, organized sports, youth groups)
• Take action in your neighborhood (create a neighborhood alliance, report and remove graffiti)
• Talk with your child about the dangers and consequences of gang involvement. Let your child know that you don't want to see him or her hurt or arrested. Explain to your child that he or she should NOT:
  • Associate with gang members
  • Attend parties or social events sponsored by gangs
  • 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

(Source: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services)

01.12.09

"It is important to keep our children safe both
at school as well as in our neighborhood."

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