Juvenile Court Service Unit

ADVICE FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS

• Support community organizations and conditions that promote positive activities for youth.
• Be positive role models. • Become educated about gangs, human trafficking and crime in general.
• Seek and maintain a close relationship with police officers who patrol your neighborhoods.
• Become involved in your local Neighborhood Watch or consider starting one if none exists. Contact your local law enforcement agency to learn more about Neighborhood Watch.
• Do not tolerate graffiti. Report it to the Police Department, record it and remove it.
• Watch for groups that congregate in your neighborhood or at a residence (especially if there is no adult supervision) that wear similar colors and styles of clothing or similar sports team logos.

ADVICE FOR PARENTS

• Educate yourself on the signs of gang activity.
• Provide structure and discipline to children.
• Provide and support a sense of identity and belonging to a positive group such as family, church, school, sports or community groups.
• Be engaged in the lives of your children.
• Maintain an open line of communication with your children.
• Know your children’s friends.
• Insist on knowing where your children are going and whom they will be with.
• Pay attention to behavioral changes, such as the way your children dress, school attendance and performance, and the company they keep. (These can also be symptoms of other issues in their lives such as drug use or hanging out with negative peers).
• Pay attention to music, websites and wall posters.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel that your child is starting to be influenced by gangs, be curious and follow up on it.

ADVICE FOR YOUTH

Youth should be aware of the signs of gang participation as described in this brochure. Be aware of any indicators in your neighborhood, friends or classmates that make you suspect that they are gang involved or interested in gang behavior. Also, be aware of any signs that they might be victims of bullying or manipulation. Show care and concern for them and then seek help from an adult. Do not disrespect or otherwise talk badly about any particular gang.