<p>Let me preface this by saying I’ve never been more aware of what a sheltered life I’ve led until last week.</p>
<p>For reasons that have to do with privacy, I can’t give too much information, but I’m in a place where it would behoove me to learn more about street gangs for my own safety. This is work-related and I will be consulting with the rest of the team, including our social worker, but I need to educate myself so that I can make an informed decision as to whether or not I wish to remain involved in this situation. </p>
<p>When my kids were in middle school, we got the typical parent handouts from the D.A.R.E. program, describing how to spot gang activity, etc. It all seemed so subtle and fluid that I really never paid any attention to it, yet now here I am, in need of some resources. The situation I’m involved in, thankfully, is no where near where I live. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any good resource books, internet sites, etc. that they could recommend for my reading? I did watch one episode of Gangland on The History Channel, but there’s something like 82 episodes spanning several seasons, and I need more of a primer.</p>
<p>I don’t have any specific resources to recommend. But, I wonder if the police department has any public relations type info that may start you off. I know here in Houston, the police frequently go to homeowner’s association meetings in areas where there is a growing gang problem in order to inform the folks about how to spot activity and what to do and not do about it. </p>
<p>The little I know about gangs has to do with “wearing colors”, which is the main reason the Houston public schools now require standard dress. The kids get around this by wearing rosaries around their necks in different colors, claiming religious freedom.</p>
<p>Well I learned a lot from* The Wire*
This site has some info- except my impression is that many teens are going to show at least half of the warning signs at some point.
<p>This one has links to more resources.
[Street</a> gangs and gangs. We have street gang poetry, street gang articles and street gang message boards and information about gangs and gang related life.](<a href=“http://www.streetgangstyle.com/]Street”>http://www.streetgangstyle.com/)</p>
<p>Without giving out too much more information, what I’m looking for is, I guess, is again, a sort of primer. Not so much the signs to look for to determine if someone is in a gang, but what life like be like for someone who is in one, or for someone who is trying/has gotten out of one. </p>
<p>EK4 - the second site you provided was very interesting. Many years ago we actually donated our used car to an organization, Christian-based, whose goal was to help kids get out of gangs and provide direction, job-training, education, etc. for their lives. </p>
<p>Pipmom - going to the police department is a good idea. I’m assuming since most suburbs in our area have their own pockets and distinctive gangs, I’d need to talk to the police in the town where my issue is concerned.</p>
<p>Another thought- if you’re looking for what gang life is like etc- would be to perhaps contact some of the churches in the area. Many churches have youth ministry programs which would be familiar with the clientele in the area. I know, at least here in H town, many gang kids or almost gang kids come to the church, or are sent here by the parents, as a means to try to get them away from the gang influence. I encounter many of these teens in my religious education programs here.</p>
<p>I second calling the local police for info. Distant in-law could ‘read’ the graffiti, knew which gang frequented where, etc. They’re the experts, from what I’ve seen. Good luck!</p>
<p>The police help set up Neighborhood Watch programs and then put on educational programs for the Watch “block captains.” Understanding and spotting gang activity is a pretty standard briefing for block captains, and unlike any advice you could get on CC, your local police information would be specific to the gangs and level of activity going on in your particular area. I’d start by calling the department and asking for the office who serve as the resource person for Neighborhood Watch.</p>
