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Some Background about Gangs
I have probably written on every topic under the sun in my stint as an educational
newspaper columnist. Here is an article on gangs. It's from 1993, but still
timely. Hope it can be of benefit.
YOUTH GANGS ON THE RISE IN TEXAS
BY RUSSELL SMITH
Recent trends in gang activity in Texas indicate membership and activities
are increasing rapidly. What was once perceived as a big city problem has
spread to rural areas across the state and the nation. According to Clarence
Terhune, the director of the California Youth Authority, "the problem
can erupt anywhere at almost any time."
The definition of what constitutes a "gang" versus just juvenile
delinquent behavior is that a gang is composed of young adults and juveniles
who commit serious crimes with a special emphasis for "turf."
Turf is the territory the gangs operate in or it can mean a criminal activity
like drug trafficking or property crimes.
The composition of gangs are usually along racial lines, but interracial
gangs are also common. Poverty-stricken neighborhoods have been the traditional
breeding grounds for gang activity and sudden job layoffs in a community
can precipitate increased gang activities.
But there are always exceptions to the rule- affluent youngsters may form
gangs out of boredom or alienation.
Gangs advertise their presence in many ways and parents, school personnel,
and the police need to be constantly aware of the visible signs. Certainly
the most obvious indicators are special colors in clothing (particularly
bandannas); hand gestures; graffiti; and secret verbal messages.
Other less known indicators are tattoos; shoes and shoelaces; jewelry; and
hairstyles. New and innovative symbols of gangs will continue to evolve
and adults must constantly be aware of new trends.
Understanding why gangs form is a key tool in deterring their destructive
behaviors. Gangs form because kids find status and acceptance they may find
lacking at home. The lure of money is also a huge motivator as kids who
are from impoverished backgrounds find common money-making strategies in
their gangs.
The money-making making activities involve violence, drug sales, or property
crimes and the youngster is bolstered by the feeling that "everyone
is doing it." Lured by the false image of popular Hollywood movies
about gangs the youngsters are also aware that penalties for juveniles are
traditionally far less severe than for adults accused of the same crime.
There are a number of ways to combat gangs, especially in the school systems.
Some are strategies I don't care to write about in this article lest I tip
them off. Gang members may drop out of school --but it would be a big mistake
to consider them ignorant -- many have high intelligence capabilities.
One strategy I don't mind mentioning is what one school did in Eugene, Oregon.
Upon discovering an eighteen-year-old transfer student who arrived decked
out in gang clothing had an extensive record of gang activity at his previous
school, the principal suspended the student. The school board backed him
up by seeking an injunction to permanently bar the student from their school
district.
The courts granted the injunction based on the belief the student represented
"a danger to the health and safety of students." Members of the
NAACP applauded the action and in an interview with Principal Don Jackson
he explained his decision: "You don't un-gang a community. We may not
be able to keep it out, but at least we have to try."
Preventative efforts are of the utmost importance in preventing the escalation
of gang membership. Evening recreation facilities designed for all the youngsters
in a community can have a significant impact on the spread of gangs. Experts
who study gangs report that deterrent programs in the early elementary grades
can also have a significant influence on youngsters. They also suggest schools
target kids who give early indications of gang involvement rather than just
focusing on those kids who are generally grouped as "at-risk."
Schools can also benefit from timely dialogues with the police department.
As Jerry Mourning, head of school security in Milwaukee said: "You
need to know what's happening in the community. What happens over the weekend,
we handle on Monday mornings."
Police personnel can also meet with school personnel to exchange information
about juveniles and offer training about how to deal with armed or violent
students.
Based on my personal observations I know that we do have a few youngsters
in Sweetwater who belong to gangs. I don't feel large numbers belong to
gangs, but economic conditions are conducive for increased gang activity.
Our school system has taken important steps to prevent that increase, but
the schools can not defeat gangs alone. A concerted community effort is
needed by everyone to reduce the potential of serious gang problems.
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Thanks to TENET for public domain information about gangs from the ERIC
digests.
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Followup comments: I've slept a few times since I wrote this article so
I'm not sure what secret strategies I had in mind back in 1993. Possibly
utilizing anonymous student informers (have to be *really* careful if this
strategy is used for obvious reasons). Perhaps video cameras can be used
in public areas of the school to monitor behavior. In the community you
could enlist the aid of merchants to help identify gang members. Here the
use of a juvenile officer would be great...have the officer use photos of
suspected gang members and show them to merchants and ask if they had seen
the kids wearing gang clothing or being with gang members.
Identification is just one aspect of fighting gangs, but it's a big one.
Then you have to come up a plan to steer the kids away from gangs with alternative
activities. Jobs for teenagers and decent community sports ccnters can help...but
most communities don't have a good recreation center and they sure don't
have enough teenager jobs. Federal and state grants can help here.
Russell Smith
rssmith@tenet.edu OR rssmith@camalott.com
Edtech Consultant, Journalist, Certified Teacher