Street Gang Cover

Street Gang Identificationand Awareness

GEORGIA PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING CENTER

Georgia Police Academy DivisionLaw Enforcement Investigations Section

COURSE

Participant Manual

Street Gang Identification and Awareness

TERMINAL PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE This 8‐hour seminar is designed to update all elements of the law enforcement community to the trends and ever expanding activities of Criminal Street Gangs. Those attending the course will gain knowledge in youth drug gangs and criminal street gangs operating in Georgia. Emphasis will be on gangs that are active in Georgia. To graduate, students must obtain at least an 70% passing score at the end of the 8 hour course of instruction on a written examination. The test is derived from information the students will learn from the student participant guide and the lectures provided in class. ENABLING OBJECTIVES

a. Discuss the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. b. Brief History of Gangs c. Identify Gang Structure, Categories and Types d. Identify street gang signs, symbols, tattoos and graffiti often used by gangs. e. Discuss the Current Gang Activity in Georgia.

STREET GANG IDENTIFICATION AND AWARENESS

Course Schedule

Day 1 8:00 a.m. ‐ 9:00 a.m. Orientation/Introduction 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Georgia Street Gang Law 9:30 p.m. ‐ 12:00 p.m. Street Gang Profiles and Identifiers 12:00 p.m. –1:00 p.m. Lunch 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Street Gang Profiles and Identifiers 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Testing and Graduation

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Street Gang Identification &Awareness

Presented By:Carlos F. Ortiz, Supervisor

Criminal Investigations [email protected]

478-993-4479

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Street Gang Identification &Awareness

Course ObjectiveThe purpose of the course is to provide students with the

necessary training to become more aware of criminal street gangs and be able to identify not only gang members, but their gang signs, symbols, and graffiti. Students will also learn about the background of criminal street gangs as it

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learn about the background of criminal street gangs as it relates to criminal street gang activity in the State of

Georgia.

Street Gang Identification &

Awareness

• Discuss the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.

Terminal Performance Objectives

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• Brief History of Gangs• Identify Gang Structure, Categories and Types• Identify street gang signs, symbols, tattoos and

graffiti often used by gangs.• Discuss the Current Gang Activity in Georgia.

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Are there Gangs in Georgia Schools?

• What is your schools definition of a Gang?

• How do you identify Gang members?• Does your school have a Gang policy?• Does your school have a dress code designed to discourage Gang clothing?

• What is Gang clothing?

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Are there Gangs in Georgia Schools?

Yes. There are Gang members in Georgia’s schools and they include:

• Elementary SchoolsElementary Schools• Middle Schools• High Schools

• Colleges/Universities

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Does having Gang members in ourSchool mean we have a Gang Problem?

No.

If it h th it’• If your community has gangs, then it’s very likely some of your students are gang members. Having gang members attend your school doesn’t mean you necessarily have a gang problem.

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What defines a “Gang problem” in schools?

• Failure of the school administration to admit their school “has” or “may have” Gang members attending.

• Failure to identify individual or rival Gangs and their Gang members? • Failure to implement anti-gang policies involving Gang signs, symbols,

tattoos, clothing, jewelry, graffiti, and other Gang paraphernalia.

Failure to immediately intervene. Such as:– Failure to directly confront and question the suspected student.– Failure to notify or involve your SRO or the local law enforcement

agency.– Failure to get parents involved immediately.– Failure to realize that you alone cannot eliminate Gangs or Gang

members from your school.

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The Cleopatra Approach

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What is a Criminal Street Gang?

O.C.G.A. 16-15-3 defines a criminal street gang as:

• Any organization, association or group of three or more persons associated in f pfact, whether formal or informal, which engages in criminal gang activity as defined in subsection (1) of this code section.

NOTE: On Jan, 12, 2009, the GA Supreme Court in RODRIGUEZ et al. v. THE STATE, ruled the Gang Act as Constitutional.

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What is a Criminal Street Gang?

Common Name

Symbols

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SIGNS

What is a Criminal Gang Activity?

The commission, attempted commission, conspiracy to commit, or solicitation, coercion, or intimidation of another person to commit any of the following offenses on or after July 1, 2006:

(A) Racketeering(B) Stalking;(C) Rape, Aggravated Sodomy, Statutory rape, or Aggravated Sexual Battery(D) Escape and other offenses related to confinement(E) Dangerous instrumentalities and practices(F) Relating to the security of state or county correctional facilities;(F) Relating to the security of state or county correctional facilities;(G) Encouraging a child to escape from custody;(H) Criminal Trespass or Criminal Damage to Property resulting from any act of gang

related painting on, tagging, marking on, writing on, or creating any form of graffiti on the property of another;

(I) Violation of the laws of the United States or its territories, dominions, or possessions, any of the several states, or any foreign nation which, if committed in this state, would be considered criminal gang activity;

(J) criminal offense in the State of Georgia, any other state, or the United States that involves violence, possession of a weapon, or use of a weapon, whether designated as a felony or not, and regardless of the maximum sentence that could be imposed or actually was imposed.

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History of Gangs

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How Do Gangs Spread?

• Imperialist Method• Franchising

M di

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• Media

Who Joins a Gang?

• Structure• Nurturing• Sense of BelongingSense of Belonging• Economic Opportunity• Excitement

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Gang Recruitment

Gangs Search Out The Vulnerable To Recruit• Depressed Neighborhoods• Public Housing• Schools• Internet

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Induction Into Gangs

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Basic Gang Structure

Cliques

Leadership is the first level of the structure.•Powerful•Respected•They decide extent of criminal activity•They are chosen by their characteristics

Hardcore is the second level.•Oldest group members•Opinions are valued•Most experienced in the group•Involved in aggressive action

The next part of the structure areReferred to as Wanna Be’s.•Not considered members•Want recognition•Fit in with gang•Associate with known members

Cliques are the last part of the structure.•A gang contained by a larger gang•Need to prove themselves•Group of association, fringe, andwannabe gang members

Wanna Be’sFr

inge Associate

Hardcore

Leadership

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Involved in aggressive action

Level three of the gang structure is Associate.•Personal pledge•Want to achieve acknowledgment•Want to reach the next level

In level 4, the members are called Fringe.•Perform outside of the gang•Not made in obligation to gang society•Require guidance

Gang Nations

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Crips

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CRIPS - ProfileColorsBlueBlue and White Blue and GrayBlue and OrangeOccasionally, PurpleSymbolsThe Number “6”Six Pointed StarFolk Symbols

Criminal ActivitiesDrive by Shootings Drug Dealing Extortion Firearm Trafficking Interstate Drug Smuggling Robbery

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RivalriesBloods Latin Kings Netas

ClothingBritish Knights clothing Colorado Rockies Athletic wear KSWISS Los Angeles Lakers New York Yankees NY logo North Carolina Tar Heals

AffiliationsFOLK NATION Gangster Disciples Black Panthers Dominican Drug Dealers UBK (United Blood Killers) United Kings (Crip Affiliates)

Robbery Murder

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BLOODS - Profile

Criminal Activities•Assaults•Burglaries Mass Shoplifting Sprees,•Car Thefts•Drug Sales•Mass Shoplifting Sprees•Racketeering Operations• Robberies

ColorsRed, Black, Green, Brown (sometimes tan)

SymbolsThe Number “5”Five Pointed Star

RivalriesAffiliations• PEOPLE NATION ALLIANCE and

People Nation Gangs • New Black Panther Party • Deuce Mob • Latin Kings (in some areas) • MOB (Money Over Bitches) • Regulators • Scramblers

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ClothingChicago Bulls Athletic Clothing Fubu Designer Clothing Calvin Klein ClothingNike apparel

Crips Latin Kings (in some areas) Netas

Folk Nation

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Folk Nation IDENTIFIERS

• Represent to the Right• Primary Colors: Black and

Blue• Common Greeting: “All is

One”H orns : Po wer to O vercome

One• The Number “6”• 3 point crown• 6 point star• 3 point pitch fork• The Heart of Wings

Wings: The S trength to R is e A bove

Heart: Love for the Nation

Tail: A ll Branches o f the Fo lk Natio n R ep resents Hardships and Op pression

(Gangster)

P itchfo rks (Up): Strugg le

Peo ple S taffD own to the 4 C orner Hu stlers

Destruction toPeo ple Nation

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People Nation

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People Nation Identifiers

• Represent to the Left• Primary Colors: Red, Black, Gold• Common Greeting: “All is Well”• The Number “5”• The Number 5• 5 point crown• 5 point star• Staff• The Pyramid

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Norteños

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Norteños - Profile

Criminal Activities• Assaults• Property Crimes• Car Thefts• Drug Sales• Racketeering Operations• Robberies

Colors & Symbols• Red• 14 (X4 or XIV)• Follow People Nation

Allies (Based on local situations only) • Crips (Local Areas) • Bloods (Local Areas) • Wah Ching (Northern Calfornia) • Asian Boyz/Asian Chicks

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Clothing• Univ. of Nebraska• UNLV (Us Norteños Love Violence)• K-Swiss (Kill Scraps When I See Scraps)• San Francisco 49ers (Red & Gold with the #4)

Asian Boyz/Asian Chicks • People Nation (Midwestern States) • Gangster Disciples (Midwest) • Vice Lords (Midwest)• Black P. Stones (Midwest)

EnemiesSureños (Nationwide)

Maravilla (Southern California) Eighteen St. (Southern California)

Mara Salvatrucha (Southern California) Aryan Brotherhood (Nationwide)

Nazi Lowriders (Nationwide)

Sureños

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sureños - Profile

Criminal Activities• Assaults• Property Crimes• Car Thefts• Drug Sales• Racketeering Operations• Robberies

Colors & Symbols• Blue• Gray• 13 (X3 or 3C)• 3 Dots•Letter “M”

Allies (Based on local situations only) • Mexican Mafia

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Clothing• Dodgers• Dallas Cowboys• Duke University

• Mexican Mafia• Brown Pride Locos• Crips

EnemiesNorteños (Nationwide)

Nuestra Familia (Nationwide) Eighteen St. (Southern California)

Mara Salvatrucha (Southern California) Aryan Brotherhood (Nationwide)

Nazi Lowriders (Nationwide)

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Hispanic Gangs in

Georgia

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MS-13

(mara salvatrucha)

profileCriminal Activities• Murder• Rape• Assaults/Drive By Shootings• Witness intimidation• Extortion• Drug Sales• Racketeering Operations• Robberies

Identifiers• MS13• Colors Blue and White• Devils Pitchfork

Allies (Based on local situations only) • Mexican Mafia Enemies

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• Mexican Mafia• Sureños• La Gran Familia

Enemies18th Street gang

NorteñosLatinKings

La RazaCrips

Gangster Disciples

Latin Kings - Profile

Criminal Activities• Drug Sales • Con Games (Bail Scam) • Shootings • Robbery • Burglary • Racketeering • Murder • Crime for Hire

Colors & Symbols• Black, Gold, Red• 5• 5 Pointed Star• LK, ALKN

Allies (Based on local situations only) • People Nation Gangs

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Clothing• LA Kings Clothing • Gold Fubu Jerseys with 05 • Karl Kani Clothing • Black and yellow articles of clothing

People Nation Gangs • Netas • La Familia • Vice Lords • Bloods • F.A.L.N. •Black Panthers •Young Lords

Enemies•Folk Nation Gangs

•Crips •Dominican’s Don’t Play

•Dominican Posse •Dominican Power

•Los Papi Chulos •Los Solidos

•Mara Salvatrucha •Bloods (some sets)

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Gangster Disciples - ProfileCriminal Activities• Assaults • Burglaries • Drug Sales • Politics • Murder • Robberies • Auto Theft

ColorsBlack, Blue, Silver, White

SymbolsFolk Nation Symbols

Affiliations• Folk Nation Gangs• Black Panthers • Crips

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ClothingCarhardt Clothing Detroit Lions Athletic Wear Duke University Athletic wear Georgetown University (Hoyas) Jerseys Growth and Development T-Shirts LA Raiders Athletic wear New York Yankees Athletic wear Tampa Bay Lightning Athletic wear

Rivalries• Bloods• People Nations Gangs

Female Gangs

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Asian Gangs

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HYBRID GANGS

• Non Traditional• Non-Traditional• Most Common Type of Gang in Georgia• Typically Identify Themselves With Names Like: Boyz,

Mobs, Posse’s, Crews, Mafia• Rules and membership change frequently• Hard to investigate and charge under the Georgia Street

Gang and Terrorism Act.

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Gang Involvement Indicators

• Verbal Indicators• Non Verbal Indicators

The sky is Hel l is Let al l SLOBSGo Where t hey bel ong

Bl ueRed

• Non-Verbal Indicators

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Hand Signs

• Rapid Movement of Hands and Fingers

• Letters, Numbers or Symbols Associated With

Gthe Gang• Issued as a Greeting or

Challenge

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Gang Attire and Paraphernalia

• Use of Colors• Sports Team Logos• Graffiti/Symbols on Clothing• Use of Clothing

– Slits on Pant Legs– Rolled up Pant LegsRolled up Pant Legs

• Right Side-Folk• Left Side-People

• Bagging, Sagging and Dragging

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Clothes Worn By Street Gangs

• Is it faddish or worn as gang Attire

• Clothes – The Look

• Professional College Sports Wear

• Gang Style Clothing by Non‐Gang Members

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Gang Graffiti

FEATURES•Gang name or symbol, including hand signs •Gang member name(s) or nickname(s),or sometimes a roll-call listing of members•Numbers (reference to police codes or gang names) •Distinctive, stylized alphabets

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MOTIVESMOTIVES••Denotes Territory/Mark turf Denotes Territory/Mark turf ••Threaten Violence/Issues Challenges Threaten Violence/Issues Challenges ••Boast of achievements Boast of achievements ••Honor the slain Honor the slain ••Insult/taunt other gangsInsult/taunt other gangs

Distinctive, stylized alphabets •Key visible locations •Enemy names and symbols, or allies' names

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Graffiti Removal

• REPORT It• READ It• RECORD It• REMOVE It

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The Juvenile Factor

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Cyber Gang Banging

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Warning Signs of Gang Involvement• Dresses according to a specific dress code (specific

clothing or colors)Wears clothing or

owns items that he/she could not

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These indicators must be considered together to be deemed meaningful. Some of these behaviors may just be the usual signs of a teenager.

normally afford Has less and less

interest in school / skips school

Warning Signs of Gang Involvement

• Sudden poor grades

• Has lost interest in former friendsin former friends and activities

• Sudden change in friends or has new, older friends identified by nicknames, whom the parent has never met

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• Goes to street gang Internet chat sites or has friends affiliated with gangs on their myspaceWeb page

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These indicators must be considered together to be deemed meaningful. Some of these behaviors may just be the usual signs of a teenager.

Uses hateful or racist language Has been the victim of crime or fears being

victimized

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• Withdraws from family activities• Desire for excessive privacy • Stays out later than usual • Can’t account for long periods of timeCan t account for long periods of time • Owns a weapon • Has involvement with

alcohol and drugs • Has had problems with

the police

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A Student’s Book Cover

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Profile of a Teen Gang Member

• The emotional, psychological and social needs of street gang members are often unfulfilled

• Behavior problems such as violence, delinquency, truancy

• Weak ties to family• Weak ties to school and the community• Low self-worth• Need for glorification • Rejection of standards

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These are Behavioral Characteristics

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“Risk factors” are circumstances that may increase youths’ likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors.

Risk and Protective Factors

“Protective factors” are circumstances that promote healthy youth behaviors and decrease the chance that youth will engage in risky behaviors.

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Source: OJJDP

Risk & Protective Factor Categories

Individual

Family

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Source: OJJDP

Community

School

Peers

• Risk Factor– Child is getting poor grades

How Would You Address the Risk?

• Protective Factors

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– Talk to teachers

– Help your child with homework

– Look for after-school programs that help with academics

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• Risk Factor– You don’t know your neighbors



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– Organize a block party

– Go door to door to meet them

• Risk Factor– Your child doesn’t have many positive adult role models


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– Find a mentor for your child

– Use current events to identify role models and talk with your child about them

• Risk Factor– Your child knows gang members



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– Teach your child healthy decision-making skills

– Help your child become interested in positive activities to keep them busy

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• Risk Factor– Your child has low self‐esteem and a desire for companionship


P t ti F t

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– Talk with your child’s school counselor

– Tell your child how proud you are of him/her and how special they are

TIPS

What Schools Can Do

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EFFECTIVE INTERACTIONS FOR COMBATING SCHOOL GANGS

• Gang Awareness Training• Dress Code• Understanding & Processing Graffiti• Gang Crimes Report Hotline• Gang Crimes Report Hotline• Visitor Screening• Adequate Supervision• Community Networking• Extracurricular Programs

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What Schools Can Do

• Identify at-risk students and students who are already gang members. Encourage them to participate in sports, drama, music, art, and other positive activities that will increase their confidence and sense of belonging.D ’t ll t l thi• Don’t allow anyone to wear gang clothing, paraphernalia, or other items associated with gang activity at school; don’t permit gang hand signals.

• Photograph and remove all graffiti from the school grounds and property.

• Promote afterschool programs that address the prevention of violence.

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What Schools Can Do (cont.)

• Work with parents, counselors, School Resource Officers, and school personnel to determine when intervention is necessary

d h t t h ld b t kand what steps should be taken.• Ensure that gang and drug prevention are

part of the curricula, and present gang and drug awareness programs to parents.

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Documents

Street Gang Cover