Thurston County Gang AwarenessThurston County Gang Awareness

Together we can make this a community with y“Zero Tolerance”

Gang activity defined by RCW

• RCW 28A.600.455• Gang activity — Suspension or expulsion.• (1) A student who is enrolled in a public school or an

alternative school may be suspended or expelled if thealternative school may be suspended or expelled if the student is a member of a gang and knowingly engages in gang activity on school grounds.

•(2) "Gang" means a group which: (a) Consists of three or more persons; (b) has identifiable leadership; and (c) on

i b i l l i d t i tan ongoing basis, regularly conspires and acts in concert mainly for criminal purposes.

What is a gang?What is a gang?

• Law enforcement definition of a gang is:Law enforcement definition of a gang is:• A group of individuals, juvenile and/or

adult.adult.• Who associate on a continuous basis• To form an allegiance for a common• To form an allegiance for a common

purpose.• Become involved in delinquent or criminal• Become involved in delinquent or criminal

activity that develops into an organized structure of illegal activity.structure of illegal activity.

What is a gang?What is a gang?• This definition is simple and functional:p• It allows the authorities to take a proactive

approach to prevent a gang getting into an i d t torganized structure.

• Gangs can range from a loose knit group of individuals whom hang out together andindividuals whom hang out together and commit crimes.

• Gangs can be a formal organization with a Ga gs ca be a o a o ga at o t aleader or ruling council, gang colors, gang identifiers, and gang name.

Gateway to gang lifeGateway to gang life

• Kid’s/Adult’s become:Kid s/Adult s become:

I t i d b lif t l f t• Intrigued by life style of gangsters.• They will “hang” with them to prove their

allegiance.• They will commit crimes to prove y p

themselves to the gang.

Gateway to gang lifeGateway to gang life• Inspiring gang member’s go through a initiation

th i t d i tprocess once their accepted into a gang.• The inductee will receive a physical beating from a

set number of members of the gang the inductee is j i ijoining.

• The inductee will be punched and kicked anywhere on the body by the group of gang members.

• The inductee is not permitted to block any blows distributed by the gang.

• Most gangs will not allow a blow to the head since th i j t b l dthe injury cannot be concealed.

• If inductee survives beating, they become a member of the gang.

Rules of a gangRules of a gang

• The violence committed to join a gangThe violence committed to join a gang.• Once becoming a gang member it is very

difficult to get them outdifficult to get them out. • A gang member will often wear certain

l f l thi k bt icolor of clothing, make-up or obtain brandings or tattoo’s.

• Clothing is often worn certain ways and usually affiliated with gang structure.

Gang structureGang structure

• O G ’s - • Original gangsterO.G. s • Original gangster. They are in it yforever.

Gang IndicatorsGang Indicators•

Gang structureGang structure

• Hardcore – • Comprise of 5 to 10% of gang.Hardcore p g g• These are die-hard gangster’s• Thrive on gang

lifestyle/companionship.• Almost always the leader’s and

without them the gang may fallwithout them the gang may fall apart.

• Gang violence determined by most violent hardcore members.

Gang structureRegular members (Associates)• Regular members -(Associates)

• Usually range from 14 to 17 years old;

• Their job is robbery/theft.

• They are money oriented.

• They were initiated into the gang.

• They will back up hard core members.

• Stay in gang long enough they will become hardcore member.

• Join gang for status and recognition.

• They will wear gang colors, attend gang functions, and may participate in gang related criminal activity to fulfill theirparticipate in gang related criminal activity to fulfill their emotional need to belong.

Gang structureGang structure• Wanna-be’s – Age’s 11 to 13 years old. (See below)

• Could-be’s -Age’s 10 and under. (Usually exposed to

gang life through family and/or living close to area impacted by gang activity)close to area impacted by gang activity)

Their jobs are tagging and stealing.

They are not yet initiated into the gang.

They will hang out with gang and do almostThey will hang out with gang and do almost everything asked of them by gang.

They want to prove themselves worthy ofThey want to prove themselves worthy of the gang.

Examples of Tagging/Graffitip gg g

Examples of various Gang signsExamples of various Gang signs•

Make-up of different gangsMake up of different gangs.

• Hardcore:Hardcore:• They want all rival gangs dead.

Th i i bj ti i t k• Their main objective is to make money and get rid of their rivals.

• Most of these gangs are African-American or Spanish/Latino decent.

• Recently Gothic or cult followings have taken the to the gang life.g g

Make-up of different gangsMake up of different gangs.

• Scavenger gangs (Wanna-be’s):Scavenger gangs (Wanna be s):• Have no real backing from the “real”

gangsters.gangsters.• They can be harmed or killed for using

sect names.sect names.• Usually trouble makers.• Commonly found in Suburb’s• Commonly found in Suburb s.• Join gangs for the want to be “cool” and

the intimidation factorthe intimidation factor.

Make-up of different gangsMake up of different gangs.

• Territorial Gangs:Territorial Gangs:• They protect their block, neighborhood, or

citycity.• Their purpose is to keep their gangs in

th i i hb h d d th j i ftheir neighborhoods and they join for respect.

Girls and GangsGirls and Gangs

• Girls attracted to gangsters:Girls attracted to gangsters:• Want the “respect” they feel they will acquire once

people see them dating gang member.G b ill th f th i l• Gang members will use them for their sexual enjoyment.

• Gang members very rarely get in a serious g y y grelationship with a girl that “hangs” with the gang.

• She can end up pregnant and most of the Gang member will abandon her and the babymember will abandon her and the baby.

• Girls will often be used for trafficking drugs and guns for gang members.

Girls and gangsGirls and gangs• Girl gang members:g g

• Girls do form their own gangs.• Usually spin offs to male gangs.Usually spin offs to male gangs.• Girl gangs can be just as dangerous and organized.• Initiation is done in the same manner as male gangs.• They can be just as vicious as the beating a male• They can be just as vicious as the beating a male

receives in gang initiation.• If a girl wants to “hang” with a guy gang she

receives the same beatingreceives the same beating. • Or in some cases have unprotected sex with all the

males in the gang. (This is a more popular method of initiation) This proves her loyaltyof initiation). This proves her loyalty.

Gang attireGang attire• Some gang attire standards:g g• Brim of hat turned left or right depending on gang.• Pant leg rolled up.• Shirt collars turned up on one side only.• Any predominance of colors.• Colors displayed on wrist or ankle bands, shoe laces, rubber bands,

barrettes, and bandanas.Shoe tong es hanging o t one side of shoe earring orn on one side• Shoe tongues hanging out one side of shoe, earring worn on one side only.

• Bandanas hanging from belt loops, pockets, or tied to the leg.• Shaved eyebrows or lines shaved through them.y g• Small tattoos on inside of hand or between thumb and index finger.• Burn marks (brands) on the arms, hands, or chest.• Look for writing inside hat, or under the brim for gang writing.

Some warning signs your child may be involved in gangs or gang activities are...

• A change in behavior and lifestyle • Drug and or alcohol use • Hanging out with different friends • Grades dropping• Grades dropping • Truancy • Staying out late • Gang writing or graffiti in their bedroom or on school supplies.• Unable to explain large sums of money or expensive items • Wearing gang clothing or colors (e.g., Blue or Red) • Pictures of gang members, gang slogans, gang insignia, or gang

activities. • Gang insignia on clothing.• Using hand signals to communicate with other gang members • Gang tattoos or gang insignias. Decals or stickers.• Admitting to being a gang member• Admitting to being a gang member.

Gang prevention tipsGang prevention tips• Do not allow your child to hang around with other gang or

suspected gang memberssuspected gang members • Know who your child's friends are • Know what your child is doing during their free time • Keep good communication skills with your childKeep good communication skills with your child • Spend time with your child • Become aware of gang style clothing and do not allow your

child to wear them. • Teach your child to respect others and their property • be aware of gang and drug activities in your community • Do not allow your child to write gang names or graffiti

Gi hild li it• Give your child limits • Be informed

Gang information on websitesGang information on websites• Gang activity can occur on websites such as g y

myspace.com.• The internet is full of gang information for the public for

prevention.prevention.• The internet can also invite youth into gang activity.

Numerous websites targeting youth into chat rooms about gang activityabout gang activity.

• Gang members have websites, chat rooms and violent games that can be accessed on the internet.

• Gang clothing can be purchased on website stores.

Thurston County Sheriff Gang C I f iContact Information

• Operations:• Lt. Chris Mealy (360) 786-5508• Detective Gene DuPrey (360) 786-5278• Detective Brian Cassidy (360) 709-3072Detective Brian Cassidy (360) 709 3072• Corrections:• C/O Jack House

C/O J h Wilb h (360) 786 5509• C/O Josh Wilbaush (360) 786-5509

• Thurston County Capcom 911 or non-emergency # (360) 704-2740• or • Crime Stoppers with gang information at (360) 493-2222