HOW GA NGS AFFECT OUR COM M UNITY GANG VS TAGGER Definition of a Gang Where to Look for GRAFFITI Three or more people with Signs of Gang common interests, bonds, & Involvement: GANG GRAFFITI: activities characterized by ♦ CLOTHING ( worn in an •TERRITORIAL criminal or delinquent unusual way, colors, logos, •OFTEN THREATENING MESSAGE conduct engaged in numbers, symbols, initials) •NOT USUALLY ARTISTIC collectively or individually. — hats, wrist bands, neck bands, shirts, IDENTIFIES: • belts, buckles, lanyards, •GANG NAME Did You Know? dew rags, pants, shoes, The majority of gang shoe laces, shoe tongues •GANG SET ♦ affiliates/members in our JEWELRY •STREET NAME community are adults (18 — symbols, initials, years of age and older). They logos constitute about 89% of the ♦ TATTOOS total gang population —names, symbols, identified in the Colorado numbers, abbreviations ♦ Springs area. Juveniles GRAFFITI —names, symbols, (under the age of 18) hold colors, numbers, approximately 11% of the abbreviations, area gang affiliation/membership. codes Of that 11% : Other Gang Identifiers TAGGER GRAFFITI: Males constitute ♦♦♦ Whistles •NOT USUALLY TERRITORIAL approximately 90% of the ♦♦♦ Gestures •NOT USUALLY A THREATENING MES- juveniles in gangs, while ♦♦♦ Hand Signs SAGE females make up about 10%. ♦♦♦ Staring (Mad Doggin’) •USUALLY ARTISTIC •IDENTIFIES: •TAGGER CREW Identifying Gang What Parents Should •STREET NAME Behavior Know In terms of identifying Why do kids join gangs? someone who is claiming a particular gang affiliation, • For adventure & it is very important to look excitement • for multiple signs. A For a sense of belonging and attachment single sign, in isolation, is • often not a credible way to To gain respect or to attract girl/boy friends identify gang affiliation • To feel powerful accurately. However, a • For monetary gain & to combination of identifiers escape poverty may indicate the need to • To retaliate against home seek support for the child or society who may be gang • To emulate family mem- involved. bers HOW GA NGS A FFECT OUR COM M UNITY Where to Look for Signs of Gang Graffiti: Often seen Statistics Gang on student notebooks • 90% of gang members will be Involvement: arrested by the age of 18 • 75% of gang members will be arrested twice by the age of 18 • 95% will not finish high school • 60% will be dead or in prison by the age of 20 Did You Know? Tagger Graffiti: Also found Gang names: Surenos 13 belt buckle on student notebooks 1. Crip 2. Blood 3. Hispanic 4. Folk 5. People 6. White Supremacist 7. Tagger Gang Sets : These typically are the “neighborhoods” What Parents Should Know that the gang members are currently Norteno 14 in Roman Numerals Protect children from gang living in, or a neighborhood they lived in influence: prior to moving here. • Spend time with your Clothing can be one identifier of children Street Names: gang affiliation. Look for • Supervise their activities Usually a “nick name” given to a gang multiple identifiers. • member representing/identifying an Help them get involved in aspect (often negative) of the members after school activities/sports appearance, personality, or physical/ • Talk about values/good mental capabilities/limitations. decision making • Teach what to do if approached by gang member • Be on lookout for signs of gang involvement • Notice patterns/get help Gang Name: SUR 13 Tattoos: Neighborhood: SPMV May be located anywhere on the Street Name: SMILEY body. • Tattoos on body • Drawing symbols or strange words Signs of Possible Pre-Gang on notebooks, clothing, or walls of Behavior: bedroom (look for multiple signs) • Sudden change in friendships • Parents uneasy around new friends (Mi Vida Loco) “My Crazy Life” • Attitude change-uninterested in family activities and values • Spending more time alone-withdrawal • (Hispanic Gang Graffiti) Poor grades at school - cutting classes • Uses spray cans or felt markers to mark on others’ property • Stays out after being asked to be home at a certain time • ICP (Insane Clown Posse) Uses an unfamiliar nickname for “Hatchet Man” self (Blood Graffiti– “Dis” on Crip gang) What Parents Should Know Crossed out letter “C” on multiple choice test Discourage Children From Joining Gangs: • Angry or bullying attitude • Impatient, intolerant, aggressive • Encourage your children to • Disrespectful and demanding participate in supervised, responsible activities to fill their • Resents authority figures (Street Name “Shaggy”) free time. • In trouble with the police • Know where your children are and • Dressing regularly in a particular color who they are spending time with. • Strange words in their vocabulary • Teach children acceptable and • Unexplained possessions or money responsible behavior . • Carrying items that could be used • Encourage children to talk about as a weapon what is going on in their lives at school & in the community. • Develop a no-tolerance policy for gang clothing, gang writing, or hanging out with gang members. • Be a positive active role model. Red is the common color for “Blood” gang (alternate color is green) (spikes bought separately and screwed • Radical body piercing, hair styles, into wristband) jewelry, or clothing. HOW GA NGS A FFECT OUR COM M UNITY IDENTIFIERS OF POSSIBLE JEWELRY TO WATCH FOR: INSANE CLOWN POSSE DRUG INVOLVEMENT BY AFFILIATION STUDENTS ICP is a rock band who’s music is promoted by Psychopathic Records & has over one million followers who call themselves Juggalos. Joe Bruce gave Insane Clown Posse its name, and the band members began developing their “wicked clown” alter egos soon after. They also began painting their faces like clowns which became their trademark. School backpack with dollar sign attached Rings being worn by some students Things to look for that show possible affiliation with ICP, their music, and the group’s message: Dollar sign earrings Self drawn tattoo & notebook graffiti Barbed wire necklace Marijuana leaf attached to purse ICP Clown T-Shirt Die with “SIX” showing (often used as one identifier for Folk gang affiliation) Necklace with dollar sign ($) Another version of the ICP logo on a sweat shirt “Dollar Bills” dew rag Spiked bracelet HOW GA NGS A FFECT OUR COM M UNITY RIGHT SIDE RULE In many parts of the country, Earrings: In “right” ear only race, nationality, and gender determine which gang can be joined. In Colorado Springs, gangs are hybrid in nature. Members are jumped into gangs based on their willingness to perform “required” gang related activities, rather than their race, HEART= HEART OF THE FOLK nationality, or gender. NATION WINGS= SPREADING OF THE NATION FOLK GANG HORNS= DEFENSE OF THE Hats: Tipped to the “right” NATION (Replaced with • CHICAGO BASED Upright Pitch Forks above) • HIGHLY ORGANIZED Glove: On “right” hand 5 POINTED CROWN (Upside Down)= • COLORS (BLACK & BLUE) Belt buckles: Shifted to the “right” on Dis’ on Rival (People) Gang • IDENTIFY WITH NUMBER SIX (6) hips Bandanas: Hanging from “right” pocket or tied around right leg Pant leg: “Right” pant leg pulled up Shirt sleeve: “Right” sleeve rolled up Shoe tongue: Tongue of “right” shoe up Shoe laces: “Right” shoe laced up; left shoe laced 1/2 way BACKWARD SWASTIKA (Folk Symbol) FOLK GRAFFITI LA RAZA (Folk Set) Six Pointed Star (above) HEART= The Heart of the Nation HORNS= The Defense of the Nation BGD = BLACK GANGSTER UPRIGHT PITCHFORKS ( Folk Dice with Six (6) on it DISCIPLE Symbols) MLD= MANIC LATIN DISCIPLES PITCHFORK (“Upright” is a Folk ALSO IDENTIFY WITH: (Folk Set) Symbol) • Six Point Crown B.O.S.= BROTHERS OF THE • Upside Down 5 as a STRUGGLE “Disrespect” (referred to as “dis”) on Rival (People) Gang 187= HOMICIDE CODE • 187 (California’s Homicide Code) STAFF/CANE (Upside Down) = DIS’ ON “PEOPLE” (Rival Gang) • Rabbit’s Head With One Ear Bent HOW GA NGS A FFECT OUR COM M UNITY LEFT SIDE RULE In many parts of the country, race, nationality, and gender determine Earrings: In “Left” ear only which gang can be joined. In Colorado Hats: Tipped to the “Left” Springs, gangs are hybrid in nature. Glove: On “Left” hand Members are jumped into gangs Belt buckles: Shifted to the “Left” on based on their willingness to hips perform “required” gang related Bandanas: Hanging from “Left” pocket or tied around “Left” leg activities, rather than their race, Pant leg: “Left” pant leg pulled up nationality, or gender. Shirt sleeve: “Left” sleeve rolled up Shoe tongue: Tongue of “Left” shoe ALMIGHTY CHICAGO= “Home Base” for PEOPLE GANG up People Gang • CHICAGO BASED Shoe laces: “Left” shoe laced up; right PYRAMID= People Symbol • shoe laced 1/2 way L.C.= Latin Count (People Set) HIGHLY ORGANIZED UPSIDE DOWN PITCHFORK= Dis’ on • COLORS (BLACK & Yellow or Gold) PEOPLE GRAFFITI Folk Gang) • IDENTIFY WITH NUMBER FIVE (5) TORN 6 POINT STAR & UPSIDE DOWN CROWN= (Dis’ on Folk Gang) LKN= LATIN KING NATION (People Set) UPSIDE DOWN PITCHFORKS = Dis’ Five pointed star (above) on Rival Gang (Folk) FIVE POINT CROWN (People ALSO IDENTIFY WITH: Symbol) DK= Disciple (Folk) Killa TORN 6 POINT STAR= Dis’ on Folk • Five Point Crown Gang $= The use of the dollar sign in graffiti implies the use, distribution/sale, and/or • Upside Down 6 to the manufacturing of drugs by the person “Disrespect” (“Dis”) Rival (Folk) and/or the gang. Gang UPSIDE DOWN PITCHFORKS= Dis’ on Folk Gang by People Gang • 187 (California’s Homicide Code) UPRIGHT STAFF/CANE = (People • Symbol) Rabbit’s Head (both ears up) • VL=VICE LORDS (People Set) Dice with Five UPRIGHT STAFF/CANE= (People Appearing on Face Symbols) UPSIDE DOWN PITCHFORKS=Dis’ on • Pyramid Folk Gang 4CH=FOUR CORNER HUSTLERS= (People Set) • Staff/Cane HOW GA NGS A FFECT OUR COM M UNITY Graffiti located in a drainage ditch Jewelry to watch for when concerned In many parts of the country, near a middle school about possible gang involvement: race, nationality, and gender determine which gang can be joined. In Colorado Springs, gangs are hybrid in nature.