FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are there gangs in schools?
The answer is simple. Yes, although they might not be in every school. Over the last few years we have seen a rise in gang recruitment starting as young as 5th grade. Choose Gang Free provides FREE educators and community classes to help promote awareness.
Why do kids join gangs?
Kids join for many reasons and each case is individual. Some reasons can include: a sense of belonging, companionship, peer pressure, attention or status, financial gain, intimidation, protection, power, and sometimes for excitement and fun, unfortunately sometimes failing to realize what being in a gang means. Youth also sometimes can fall into the gang life style by living in an area that has high gang issues or having a family member in a gang which increases the possibility of gang involvement.
How do kids join gangs?
Kids normally join gangs by either committing a crime or being "jumped in." "Jumped in" is an initiation that involves other gang members beating the potential member as a test of his or her courage and fighting ability.
Do girls join gangs?
Long ago gangs used to be a concern for boys only. But now, many girls are joining gangs or hanging out with gang members. While not all gangs allow girls to become members, of those that do, 1 in 10 members are female.
What's the difference between a gang and a just a group of friends?
A gang is defined as "three or more people who form an allegiance to the exclusion of others and who engage in unlawful criminal behavior." A group of friends who are together and not acting in criminal behavior are not considered a gang. The important thing is labeling a group of friends as a gang is based on their criminal behaviors. Groups who commit crimes together are gangs, no matter what they may look like.
What should I know about graffiti?
Not all graffiti is gang related and it doesn't necessarily mean your neighborhood is unsafe and may include random markings, initials or social commentary. Gang related graffiti can be dangerous as it is used by gang members to mark their territory, list members, or send warnings to rival gangs.
The answer is simple. Yes, although they might not be in every school. Over the last few years we have seen a rise in gang recruitment starting as young as 5th grade. Choose Gang Free provides FREE educators and community classes to help promote awareness.
Why do kids join gangs?
Kids join for many reasons and each case is individual. Some reasons can include: a sense of belonging, companionship, peer pressure, attention or status, financial gain, intimidation, protection, power, and sometimes for excitement and fun, unfortunately sometimes failing to realize what being in a gang means. Youth also sometimes can fall into the gang life style by living in an area that has high gang issues or having a family member in a gang which increases the possibility of gang involvement.
How do kids join gangs?
Kids normally join gangs by either committing a crime or being "jumped in." "Jumped in" is an initiation that involves other gang members beating the potential member as a test of his or her courage and fighting ability.
Do girls join gangs?
Long ago gangs used to be a concern for boys only. But now, many girls are joining gangs or hanging out with gang members. While not all gangs allow girls to become members, of those that do, 1 in 10 members are female.
What's the difference between a gang and a just a group of friends?
A gang is defined as "three or more people who form an allegiance to the exclusion of others and who engage in unlawful criminal behavior." A group of friends who are together and not acting in criminal behavior are not considered a gang. The important thing is labeling a group of friends as a gang is based on their criminal behaviors. Groups who commit crimes together are gangs, no matter what they may look like.
What should I know about graffiti?
Not all graffiti is gang related and it doesn't necessarily mean your neighborhood is unsafe and may include random markings, initials or social commentary. Gang related graffiti can be dangerous as it is used by gang members to mark their territory, list members, or send warnings to rival gangs.