Youth who are on the fringe of gang involvement usually display some of the following behaviors and characteristics. While these guidelines are not written in stone, a combination of these signs indicate a child is more likely to become involved in a gang.

• Poor academic progress in school
• Lack of interest in school activities
• Large blocks of unsupervised time
• Signs of increased conflict at home
• Frequent disciplinary issues
• Frequent contact with Police
• Drawing graffiti
• Imitating gang dress or behavior
• Tattoos drawn on the body
• Uses hand signs adopted by the gang

• Is graffiti showing up in your neighborhood or school?
• Has any graffiti been crossed out by other graffiti?
• Do some students or young people in the neighborhood wear noticeable colors, bandanas or tattoos?
• Do some students or neighborhoods display behavior that may be gang related, such as meeting in groups?
• Do some students or neighborhood kids flash hand signals?
• Are drugs available on or near schools or neighborhood?
• Has there been a significant increase in physical confrontation or “stare downs” in the last year?
• Are weapons increasingly present in the community?
• Do students use or have beepers, pagers, phones?
• Have there been “drive by” shows or displays of weapons?
• Have there been any “drive by” shootings in the neighborhood or near the school?
• Has the truancy rate noticeably increased during the past year?
• Have the number of racial incidents increased in the community and/or school?
• Does the community have a history of gang presence or activity?
• Is there an increasing presence of “informal” social groups with unusual names such as “SUR” or “East Side”?
• Have your children come home with bruises for no reason?

1. Teach Children how to reduce their risk of being victims of violent crimes.
2. Get Involved. Volunteer to help in community and neighborhood anti-crime and other community improvement efforts. Encourage groups you belong to – religious, social, civic – to help stop crime.
3. Use common sense tips to reduce your risk of being a crime victim. Stay in well-lighted, busy areas; travel with a friend if possible, walk in a confident, assured way. Avoid known trouble spots.
4. Report crimes and suspicious activities to police; agree to testify when necessary. Stand up for what you believe in if you want a safe community.
5. Get to know your neighbors and agree to look out for each other. Get organized; work with the police.
6. Find ways to settle arguments without violence. If you resort to violence to settle disputes, this is what you teach children. Be a good role model.
7. Use common courtesy. It helps ease tensions that can lead to violence. Teach kids that good manners are important.
8. Don’t carry a weapon. You lose, whether you use it or it’s used on you.
9. Don’t support illegal activities, like buying stolen property or using illegal drugs. It’s the wrong message to send to children, and it involves you in criminal activity.
10. Volunteer your home as a reliable source of help for kids who are scared or need assistance.

Published by the National Crime Prevention Council

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Levels of Gang Involvement

It is important to be able to determine the extent to which an individual is (or is not) involved in a gang. This is basic framework for your reference, but details will vary from gang to gang.

Level I – Fantasy

Knows about gangs primarily from newspaper, newscasts, and the movies.
May or may not know about “real” gangs.
May or may not know one or more gang member but does not associate.
May or may not like, respect, or admire a gang, a gang member, or the gang lifestyle.
Sees gang members as “living out a fantasy”.

Level II – At Risk

Knows about gangs and gang members, first hand.
Casually and occasionally associates with gang members.
Lives in or near gang areas (turf).
May like or admire gangs or gang members as individuals.
May like and/or admire the gang lifestyle but not participate fully.

Level III – Wannabe, Associate

Knows and likes gang members, first hand.
Regularly associates with gang members.
Considers gangs and related activity as normal, acceptable or admirable.
Finds many things in common with gang members
Is seriously thinking about joining a gang.

Level IV – Gang Member

Is officially a gang member.
Associates almost exclusively with gang members to the exclusion of family and former friends.
Participates in gang crimes ad most other related activities.
Is not considered hard core by fellow gang members or others.
Has substantially rejected the authority or value system of family and society.

Level V – Hard-core gang member

Totally committed to the gang and gang lifestyle.
Totally rejects anyone or any value system, other than the gang.
Is considered hard core by self, other gang members and authorities.