When life imitates reality

A recent news story released by a Albuquerque New station KRQE showed two Children, Youth and Families employees being photographed flashing gang signs and holding up guns. These photographs were not in display during a training session or to show what types of crimes gang members commit, but rather were used in a mocking manner with smiles.<br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cobject%20type=%22application/x-shockwave-flash%22%20id=%22video%22%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22520%22%20data=%22http://www.krqe.com/video/videoplayer.swf?dppversion=11212"><param"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="b-hbp-video b-uploaded" frameborder="0" height="266" id="BLOGGER-video-dbc9e758447692b5-18626" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwTo__UUhQxtGIWvFTKC1Qj0IuqG2I68zV7_JoQhW3WC66DfinyHA30Sq8Lu1gmRKznp7-w4mE3XdnPaZBUiq6JEO9OJ7fA5sFRrJ4N69Ip64W7HvVKCFeitW2-TBNKqwqLXmtW&origin=interiorbathroomdesign.blogspot.com" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The pictures were discovered after one of the women photographed was recently released from her position with the agency. The other women photographed was Heather Faverino, who is the head of the Farmington Office of CYFD.  What is so shocking is that Faverino sits on a handful of youth gang task force boards, aimed at keeping this very type of behavior out of young teens hands.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>This behavior has always been something I have worried about, it takes into question the dedication and naivete that some will take when it involves gangs, guns and drugs, when it comes to teens. You can view the entire store here.<br /><br />What is your opinion? We would like to hear from you!

When life imitates reality

A recent news story released by a Albuquerque New station KRQE showed two Children, Youth and Families employees being photographed flashing...

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Wilding? What is driving this growing phenomenon

Wilding, is not something new to the United States, nor is it unique to the us. According to <a href="http://www.dictionary.com/">Dictionary.com</a> "<strong><em>wilding is the activity by a gang of youths of going on a protracted and violent rampage in a public place, attacking or mugging people at random." </em></strong>The media has erroneously reported these groups as "Flash Mobs" which are<strong><em> "</em></strong><span id="hotword"><strong><em><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">group</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">people</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">coordinated</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">by</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">email</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">meet</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">perform</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">some</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">predetermined</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">action</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">at</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">particular</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">place</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">and</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">time</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">and</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">then</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">disperse</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">quickly,"</span> according</em></strong> to Dictionary.com. </span><br /><br /><div></div>The differences are vast should be obvious, specifically <strong><em>"Wilding Groups"</em></strong> are committing criminal acts, where "<strong><em>Flash Mobs"</em></strong> do not. The media may have been lured into thinking they were similar, because some of the some of the Wilding groups had been posting on sites like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/">Facebook </a>and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/">Twitter </a>. This was done to prearrange meetings between fellow conspirators to commit their acts of violence. Much different than doing a synchronized dance or all showing up holding umbrellas and wearing derby's like "<strong><em>The Thomas Crowne Affair" with Pierce Brosnan.</em></strong><br /><br /><div></div>The act of <strong><em>"Wilding"</em></strong> is not new, in fact it dates back to the acts committed in New York's Central Park back in 1989, when a female jogger was attacked, raped and left for dead. This is the first time the word <strong>"<u>Wilding</u>"</strong> was coined. This was then followed with attacks in New York City on the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/03/nyregion/wilding-youth-and-homeless-a-blood-feud.html">homeless population</a> resulting in assaults, ball batting's and stabbings. Then in 1991 a rape and murder in which a female was stabbed 132 times occurred, described as the most brutal murder in <a href="http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/69044291.html?dids=69044291:69044291&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+20%2C+1991&author=CHARLES+CRAIG&pub=Boston+Herald&desc=Coercion+a+key+issue+for+jurors+in+wilding+case&pqatl=google">Boston History</a>. The incidents continue through the 1990's in New York. In 2000, June 11, during the Puerto Rican Day Parade a group of teens began an series of unprecedented acts of "Wilding" in which young women, were groped, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rican_Day_Parade">sexual abused,</a> battered and attacked. Much of this was seen through video by the television media. In 2008, in <a href="http://www.amnation.com/vfr/archives/011161.html">St. Louis</a> teen African American males in large groups were attacking riders at train stations.  In early, March 2010 in <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/25/us/25mobs.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&src=ig">Philadelphia</a> the acts of "Wilding" utilized technology and social networking sites in which they would commit acts of group bullying, sprinting down the block, stop to brawl with one another, assault pedestrians or vandalize property. It took concerted effort by the Philadelphia Police Department through stepped up enforcement to reduce these acts acts of violence. These acts began to snowball through Boston, South Orange, N.J. and Brooklyn. Milwaukee had an a group of 50-60 teens disrupting a area <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/destructive-teen-mob-shuts-down-large-milwaukee-mall/">Shopping Mall</a> in January of 2011. Now it has infected Chicago. Thus flurry of attacks included 8 attacks in just one weekend and the closing of one of the most famous beach's in the Midwest, <a href="http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/garry-mccarthy-said-north-avenue-beach-closing-not-linked-to-gangs-20110602">North Avenue Beach</a>. <br /><br /><div></div><strong>So what is the cause to this growing problem?</strong><br />This growing trend may be attributed to the "herd behavior" or "crowd hysteria.". "Mob Mentality" was first studied by a pair of French social psychologists <a href="http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/tarde.htm">Gabriel Tarde</a> and <a href="http://etext.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/BonCrow.html">Gustave Le Bon</a>. The term <em><strong>"mob mentality"</strong></em> is used to refer to unique behavioral characteristic which emerge when people are in large groups.  But it goes beyond more than just crowds which have gotten out of control. When in a group people behave differently in small groups of individuals than they do in big crowds, and a variety of factors affect the behavior of the crowd. This leads towards a theory called the Convergence theory, which holds that crowd behavior is not a product of the crowd itself, but is carried into the crowd by particular individuals. What this really says that crowds amount to a convergence of like-minded individuals.  <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowd_psychology">The Convergence theory</a> says that crowd behavior <em>"is not irrational, rather, people in crowds express existing beliefs and values so that mob reaction is the rational product of widespread popular feeling."</em> This theory may bolster behavior may factor into the thoughts and issue that are facing teens in urban environments today.<br /><br /><div></div><strong>What factors may be contributing to teen "Mob Mentality"?</strong><br />Teens are faced with a variety of difficulties as they move towards adulthood. Contributing to this difficult time includes factors such as safety and security. For teenagers especially teens in the inner city, survival is one of those basic psychological needs that if not nourished will become negative factor in a teens life. Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a strong motivator for teens, check out our post on <a href="http://www.itstime.com/maslow.htm">Maslow and teens</a> for greater insight.<br /><br /><div></div>Survival (psychological) includes: food, water, teens may also survival as those basic things that they believe are necessary. Which would include money, which is a major contributing factor for teens, in a depressed economic environment and neighborhood. Teens may look at s<span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">surviving</span></span> (psychological)<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">, which means viewing life in a very inexperienced way, seeking survival at any cost. </span>  Teens who may operating primarily at a surviving perspective live on the fringes of society, they cannot see the larger picture or understand the larger rhyme or reason to life. If the basics needed to sustain physical life, are not met they will continue to act in that surviving mode until they are met.<br /><br /><div></div>The second major issue for teens includes <strong><em>Safety and Security</em></strong>. It has been said that much of the reason why these<strong> "Mobs"</strong> are traveling into the shopping centers and downtown areas of the city is two fold. First, it is far too dangerous for them to stay in their home communities. As evidenced by the 2009 beating death of <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/27/beating-death-of-derrien_n_301319.html">Darien Albert</a> outside Fenger High School. Being in their communities is unsafe, shootings, drug over doses, senseless killings are pushing teens from their communities to areas that are known for their safety. <br /><br /><div></div>Also a contributing factor to <strong><em>Safety and Security</em></strong> which may contribute to teens leaving their home communities include police presence. Increased police presence and the police perceptions, "run-ins", negative perceptions may play into the role of what they can do in their home community. Hanging out on the corner or front porch, will undoubtedly result in contact by the police. That contact in a 'teens' eyes may result in unwarranted contact, arrests, beatings, regardless of the realities of the outcome the perception of an inner city teen is molded and shaped by what they observe, encounter and are exposed to. Environment definitely plays a role in their experiences. This is not to say that behavior is excused, there is never any excuse for criminal behavior and the actions that bring someone to the commission of a crime of their own free will.<br /><br /><div></div>Lastly, economics play a role in "Mob Mentality." How it plays out is different for individuals and ethnicity's. For example, teens way of thought surrounds on comparing what they have to others. Appearance, clothing, electronics are motivating factors for teens surrounding issues of depression, perceptions of poverty, whether real or not, etc. For a teen, having the same things as their peers is an extremely motivating factor. If you do not have a "smart phone" or the new "IPhone" you not as "cool" or in the "in crowd" as your peers. <br /><br /><div></div>Consequently if you do not have an income, your family does not have discretionary funds, how do you what you want. If you do not have a means to get employment, or in most cases live within an economically depressed area such as the inner city, or "ghetto". According to the <a href="http://www.bls.gov/news.release/metro.nr0.htm">Bureau of Labor Statistics</a> unemployment in Illinois in April 2011 was at 8.7%.  But that number is not representative of individual cities or communities. In neighborhoods in Chicago unemployment is hovering at twice or three times that state statistics. Depressed communities do not have the businesses, customers and items that these groups of people are looking for.  Do you believe that this is a contributing factor?<br /><br /><div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0URFcHYtLKePL-w325IV_Sm_JGkStCh23cKG-obANND_m1-a5eM0FlhHlvPA1NKV1sMQ_JauoxF4YbTIDl3rSRrqkdk_TUXTezFTmruhtOGPNRSmmSoMsP-BEd8HRCjEcBCbGCMexiK5/s1600/triangle.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0URFcHYtLKePL-w325IV_Sm_JGkStCh23cKG-obANND_m1-a5eM0FlhHlvPA1NKV1sMQ_JauoxF4YbTIDl3rSRrqkdk_TUXTezFTmruhtOGPNRSmmSoMsP-BEd8HRCjEcBCbGCMexiK5/s200/triangle.gif" t8="true" width="200" /></a><strong>So where do teens go to get what makes them feel normal like their peers?</strong> They travel to where they know there is money, downtown shopping districts, beaches, entertainment districts, anywhere people may have the items in their possession or where the stores are that you can buy them.  This should be obvious from a law enforcement perspective and understanding the crime triangle, Opportunity, Desire and Ability. Remove one of those outer issue and the crime does not occur. </div><br /><div></div>As a result, teens traveling into an area where the opportunity to rip off stores, pedestrians,. vehicles make those areas ripe for large groups using blitz type attacks to get "rewards" for their actions. <br /><br /><div></div><strong>So what can be done to prevent it.</strong><br />The approach is broad and will not likely sit well with most in these very difficult economic times. <br /><strong><u>Law Enforcement Response:</u></strong><br /><ul><li>Proactive approach  in areas where the "Mobs" might appear, this includes increased uniform personnel, use of CCTV cameras, interaction with business and community leaders in targeted areas. </li><li>Building community relationships with teens within those communities in which teens are coming out of. High crimes areas, depressed communities etc. </li><li>Involving religious leaders in the building of those relationships with teens.</li></ul><strong><u>Business:</u></strong><br /><ul><li>Promote businesses into investing into those communities that have a need for jobs, income and affordable, quality products not currently available in their home communities.</li><li>Reduce the union restrictions on business. Do not require unions in order for employees and business to keep more of the hard earned money to both increase profits and personal wealth.  This will go far in infusing income into the community.</li><li>Invest in the community by bringing business and job opportunities for the communities located in the inner city.</li></ul><strong><u>Community:</u></strong><br /><ul><li>Be involved in the activities in your community. Attend community policing activities. Get to know your neighbors. Report criminal activity. Participate in the solution by being witnesses instead of relying on the police alone to police your community.</li><li>Be roll models for your communities youth. Setting good examples, expressing your dislike for behavior and provide active self-esteem building constructive criticism to youth. </li><li>Work with Police, legislators, local business and informal community leaders to continue to build strong community relations.</li></ul>These are just some of the ideas that can be utilized to change a community. There is not a silver bullet that will fix everything and it takes a community to raise a child. Become part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Wilding? What is driving this growing phenomenon

Wilding, is not something new to the United States, nor is it unique to the us. According to Dictionary.com " wilding is the activity ...

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Tips for Parents: Preventing Your Teen from Joining a Gang.

<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Parents are the most powerful influence in preventing gang membership, drug use and other risky behaviors in their teens. By <a href="http://www.theantidrug.com/advice/advice_more_involved.asp"><span style="color: blue;">being involved</span></a> in your teen’s life and staying alert to <a href="http://www.theantidrug.com/ei/signs_symptoms.asp"><span style="color: blue;">signs and symptoms</span></a> of risky behavior you can help your teen seek out positive relationships and stay away from gangs and drugs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Specific ways to help are:</span></b></div><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Talk to your teen about high risk behavior like involvement with gangs and drugs.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Let your child know that you don’t want to see him or her hurt or arrested. Explain to your child that he or she should NOT: </span></li><ul type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Use illicit drugs under any circumstances, and to do so will result in serious consequences.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Associate with gang members.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Attend parties or social events sponsored by gangs.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Use hand signs, symbols or language that is meaningful to gangs.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Intentionally wear clothing, including specific colors, which may have meaning to gangs in your area.</span></li></ul><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Monitor your teen.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />Know who your teen’s friends are and make a point to meet their parents. Know where your teen is and what he/she is doing during unsupervised time. <span style="color: black;">Set clear rules </span>about what teens’ are allowed to do, where they are allowed to go and who they are allowed to go with. If your teen has a cell phone, have him/her check in periodically with you.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Identify risk factors for delinquent behavior, violence and gang involvement for your teen.  </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The following risk factors have been found to predict delinquent behavior like violence and gang membership. The more risk factors in a youth’s background the more likely he/she is to engage in these types of behaviors. However, getting teens involved in after school activities, such as sports and volunteer opportunities, is an excellent way to reduce the likelihood of them falling into negative behaviors. </span></li><ul type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Individual factors: early delinquency (especially violence, very early marijuana use and other drug use), as well as early dating and sexual activity.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Family factors: other gang-involved family members, non-two-parent family structure and poverty. </span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">School factors: low achievement, commitment and aspirations; absenteeism; negative labeling by teachers; and lack of a sense of safety in school.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Peer factors: associations with delinquent or aggressive peers.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Community factors: poverty, drug availability, lack of structured activities, gang presence, lack of a sense of safety and attachment.</span></li></ul><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Recognize warning signs indicating your teen may already be involved with a gang.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />Parents should familiarize themselves with local gang symbols and look for multiple signs to indicate possible gang involvement because some of these indicators alone, such as clothes or musical preferences, are also common among youth not involved in gangs. </span></li><ul type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Has unexplained cash or goods, such as clothing or jewelry.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Carries a weapon.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Has been in trouble with the police.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Exhibits negative changes in behavior such as: withdrawing from family; declining school attendance, performance or behavior; staying out late without reason; displaying an unusual desire for secrecy; exhibiting signs of drug use; breaking rules consistently; and speaking in gang-style slang, especially when certain letters of words are substituted (like "flue" for blue, in Blood slang).</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">They “hang out” with kids who are obviously in gangs.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Shows an unusual interest in one or two particular colors of clothing or a particular logo.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Has an unusual interest in gangster-influenced music, videos, movies or Web sites.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Uses unusual hand signals to communicate with friends.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Has specific drawings or gang symbols on school books, clothes, walls or tattoos.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Comes home with unexplained physical injuries (fighting-related bruises, injuries to hand/knuckles).³</span></li></ul><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If you suspect that your teen is involved with a gang - ACT QUICKLY.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />As with drug use, parents are encouraged to seek help early. Many of the same strategies for intervening with drug use apply. For additional assistance, parents can also consider contacting school personnel, local law enforcement, faith leaders and community organizations.</span></li></ul>

Tips for Parents: Preventing Your Teen from Joining a Gang.

Parents are the most powerful influence in preventing gang membership, drug use and other risky behaviors in their teens. By being involved ...

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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdt4pzGtSoKY9IMB78BQ68GlkW8GgA9RRP5wHrEGWWHuJKJjglOk9qNS34F7rstnk6BWx0t5Qgskx9q3yPBcYXzrl2zNGaYHdxw7GiNixi_MvyTr-gGkPt4dMUg0JfGiob2vR8bJt3jN1/s1600/ASU_helmet_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdt4pzGtSoKY9IMB78BQ68GlkW8GgA9RRP5wHrEGWWHuJKJjglOk9qNS34F7rstnk6BWx0t5Qgskx9q3yPBcYXzrl2zNGaYHdxw7GiNixi_MvyTr-gGkPt4dMUg0JfGiob2vR8bJt3jN1/s200/ASU_helmet_medium.jpg" width="200" /></a>Arizona State University <a href="http://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-st-sun-devils/2011/4/21/2124970/arizona-state-new-uniforms-causing-gang-problems-in-chicago">symbol</a> recently updated their new logo and font style on the athletic uniforms for the Sun devils the logo is linked to a Chicago based Street gang.  This new logo was developed withthe assistance of Nike. According to the University the revision will increase school spirit and help its recruiting efforts, as well as selling more merchandise for the school. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But the un-intended consequence is that they logo is connected to a violent Chicago street gang. The symbol a trident is strongly connected to "folks" based gangs and is very heavily connected, with the colors of ASU and the Satan Disciples Street Gang. Check out the full story <a href="http://when%20the%20powers%20that%20be%20at%20arizona%20state%20university%20and%20their%20corporate%20overlords%20sponsors%20at%20nike%20came%20up%20with%20their%20flashy%20new%20font,%20logo%20and%20uniforms%20for%20the%20sun%20devils%20they%20were%20probably%20thinking%20of%20the%20obvious%20things.%20new%20uniforms%20increase%20school%20spirit%20and%20help%20with%20recruiting%20and%20of%20course,%20selling%20more%20merchandise%20won't%20make%20anyone%20lose%20their%20job./">here.</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Gangs adopting sports teams logos and wear for a long time, but it will be the first time the ASU has been connected with the gang subculture. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>

Arizona State University symbol  recently updated their new logo and font style on the athletic uniforms for the Sun devils the logo is link...

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What every parents fears!

<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">By Robert Tornabene</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxolRKPzjGJwayjX8RDyqpg3L6oUxXudWvA13vG9Dy-sTGLiZAfh-2dI0fnO9k98Jzr8tU2p4NNeHe5ZKm8f09odzrO-2yXqyPFVlzoSNVVkb6g7135Y8l4pCruY5B7S44_8ZKWnEDC-G9/s1600/teendeath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxolRKPzjGJwayjX8RDyqpg3L6oUxXudWvA13vG9Dy-sTGLiZAfh-2dI0fnO9k98Jzr8tU2p4NNeHe5ZKm8f09odzrO-2yXqyPFVlzoSNVVkb6g7135Y8l4pCruY5B7S44_8ZKWnEDC-G9/s1600/teendeath.jpg" /></a>Imagine your worst nightmare; your child has just been killed. The very thought is usually too shocking for many parents to comprehend. Any parent would say I will do anything to stop that nightmare from being a reality, right? But, what is even more shocking is that many parents sit idle by while this horror unfolds before their very eyes.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Parenting is a daunting task, one fraught with obstacles, triumphs and failures. As parents we strive to do the best for our children, in our hearts we all want that. But, what happens when what we wish and desire for our children clashes with the reality of our failures? Do we seek help, guidance or work for a positive change, or do we sit back and leave the fate of your child or teen to chance? I think many parents believe that at times if they ignore the problem long enough it will just go away.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The reality is that it won't! Problems with anger, drugs, addiction, criminal activity, or any of the other dozen issues facing teens today just don't go away. We all wish they could, but we all know they just sit there exacerbating the situation, waiting like a virus, too find their victim weak and run down. The thought that your life might emulate some tragic reality can be frightening to many. In some it might even be paralyzing, but what we have to remember and what many won't admit is that you are not alone. Image is not everything, and perceptions can be way off. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There are many families who believe they can keep their problems quiet, that its no ones business. They erroneously believe that its more important what others think about you versus what you do to help your child. This can result in a spiraling out of control beyond repair. Do not fall for the "image" excuse! Your 'neighbors' care very little in what happens, beyond how they will spread the gossip. Don't fall for prey to this misguided belief.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVabQzrvsqUljOr5lxm_gKSKi1MBVM9magryh7psYcXaclAMRJSr9gKCEGjC0QJ1CFE_JxDPRK6uCeP0FWij-_6ZzeWMy-ShLo_JEZOpbQF5KSFXWEPFnSMs9Glhpb9tWqRzHnkV5n41g/s1600/rip-tombstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVabQzrvsqUljOr5lxm_gKSKi1MBVM9magryh7psYcXaclAMRJSr9gKCEGjC0QJ1CFE_JxDPRK6uCeP0FWij-_6ZzeWMy-ShLo_JEZOpbQF5KSFXWEPFnSMs9Glhpb9tWqRzHnkV5n41g/s200/rip-tombstone.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>It's very easy to make 'excuses', 'work', 'stress', 'issues' etc, but the reality they are all excuses to our own procrastination. Yes there are obstacles, financial issues face everyone in these times, but many times we fail to prioritize our needs. This is usually the beginning of the "excuse train." Once the "excuse train" starts rolling, it is difficult to stop, slow to turn, and almost impossible to reverse direction.<br /><br />The savage truth is there are successes, many more, than the failures. Remember our memories are short and easily influenced. Remember this phrase from a journalist, "if it bleeds, it leads" is a sad commentary on humanity but, still a valid truth. Regardless of this successes with at-risk teens occur all the time. These successes are surrounded by tears, laughter, setbacks and joy. Much of these successes are synonymous to a war. There are casualties, injuries and battles which are won or lost, but with conviction, determination and the belief that what you are doing is just you will prevail.<br /><br />What is more just than helping an at-risk youth? 'But it’s so difficult' some say. Agreed, but the alternative mentioned earlier is not an option that is acceptable.

What every parents fears!

By Robert Tornabene Imagine your worst nightmare; your child has just been killed. The very thought is usually too shocking for many parents...

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Good Group Dynamics: What we should be teaching our children!

There are always articles and stories about what parents should look out for when dealing with a child or teen who becomes gang involved. We all too frequently see these, read them and many of us think "thank god" it's not my child! Like many things, parents are frequently behind the curve when dealing with the issues that face their children. <br /><br /><div></div>When we send them to school we expect that they will learn Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. That they will be enlightened about Science, Art and Music. But what we never really think about is who is going to teach our children what the differences are between a good and a bad group? Seriously do we really need to teach our kids about this? I mean really? Well I am not suggesting that everyone needs to teach their children about it, but let me add this supposition into the mix.  Suppose that your child is having problems, it could be at school with a clique of friends, it could be a miss understanding about "looks", words or mishaps of behavior, or it could be a genuine issue concerning the safety of your child or teen.  How as adults should we address this issue? Do we wait until it is already in play or do we address it before it even unfolds? I am a firm believer in the later.<br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2X0-niP_HPEVtWoeLs-2-Q50GVeZ_RFq9217wVhoG5xCUNtgnHYv0AdEJj1sMhpkSrChSulrf-Us0kAPSX8yF5vKUfSSJwO8_gJwF3Jn3YWBATRqKZtRbGKbgWH0-OMp1GkxsvgHG5lI/s1600/heat_teens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2X0-niP_HPEVtWoeLs-2-Q50GVeZ_RFq9217wVhoG5xCUNtgnHYv0AdEJj1sMhpkSrChSulrf-Us0kAPSX8yF5vKUfSSJwO8_gJwF3Jn3YWBATRqKZtRbGKbgWH0-OMp1GkxsvgHG5lI/s200/heat_teens.jpg" width="200" /></a>"Chance favors the prepared mind" I really do believe that quote. Why? Because preparing a youth or teen for what can happen can overt many of the common miss-steps and pitfalls that face today's teens The alternative is that a teen is confused and as a result turns to their "friends" for assistance when they should be turning to you, their parents or guardians. By addressing this issue now, you will find that you become the "go to" person in times of trouble for your teen. What you want to avoid are those times of turmoil, confusion, or misinterpretation that face every teen to be addressed by another teen. You will want to be the person whom your child turns too! Is this difficult, at times it can be! There will be those times when your child or teen will not turn to you for help. But which would you prefer? Your teens turning to their "friends", who may provide miss-guided advice, without life's experience, rarely considering the values, norms and traditions that you hold dear to you.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Would you tolerate the same from the teachers at your child's school? Most of us would resoundingly say "No!"  We would never tolerate them teaching our children. it is acceptable to try drugs, to experiment with risky criminal behavior. Schools have to get permissions slips to allow the "talk" about sexual intercourse. </div><br /><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Imagine if they said, in a permission slip. "Dear Parents we will be conducting a series of presentations for your child. In this series they will learn how to properly roll a joint. Then they will observe another student learn how to inhale and hold their breathe, so they can keep the maximum amount of THC in their system.  Next will be the presenter who shows your teen how to breakdown the heroin they purchased, by mixing it with other products to increase their profit margins. Absurd? Absolutely!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But why would we leave the same issues up to our children and their peers to help them decide those issues, the experience of the past has only shown us the catastrophe that has become.  The confusion that adults have created with the "Medical Marijuana" debate has only made it more confusing for teens.  No wonder that usage rates for teens have level off over the last two years. Coincidence, I think not.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2lWM4UMAF_sJql9dKIPB7Hl35woecyh5hkiMHs5Gn2PR2iP3IPhkBaLpThBQ4gABPCNtCuw-GpQu3hN7zgfZqv7MvsHGVJtYEMe_RiqbzL0VJg8N0sU2rHYrjD7tEmRqtLNywMFBugvy/s1600/maslows.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2lWM4UMAF_sJql9dKIPB7Hl35woecyh5hkiMHs5Gn2PR2iP3IPhkBaLpThBQ4gABPCNtCuw-GpQu3hN7zgfZqv7MvsHGVJtYEMe_RiqbzL0VJg8N0sU2rHYrjD7tEmRqtLNywMFBugvy/s200/maslows.png" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Back several months ago we covered the <a href="http://gateamerica.blogspot.com/2010/11/hierarchy-of-needs-what-teens-want.html">Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs</a>.  Which discuss the entire issue of a teens desire to belong. This surrounds the Group Dynamic that so many young people desire to be involved in. Typically between the ages of 12-21 the phenomena involving social psychology comes into play when dealing with group crimes. Part of this issue is called <span style="color: yellow;">evaluation apprehension</span>, which is a general tendency to be concerned with how others evaluate them.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Part of being around people creates a sense of arousal, not sexual, but awareness of a group. This heightened arousal increases with stress, which is called <span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: yellow;">social facilitation</span>.</span> If the person experiences mild to moderate levels of stress (at work or school) we may increase our level of performance. But, if there is a high level of stress (like pressure from a peer group to commit a crime), we tend to perform more poorly, i.e., our <strong><em>decision-making process is affected.</em></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Within groups, people tend to experience a sense of de-individuation, a loss of self-awareness and evaluation apprehension. This occurs regardless of whether the group is good or bad. The reality is that anonymity creates a feeling that is pleasurable. Examples would be in rioting that occurs after Hurricane Katrina, and the recent democratic events in Egypt and Libya.  Because this diminished self-awareness disconnects ones' behavior from one's attitudes or values. Allowing for behavior changes that would not normally occur in an individual.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBe-agV0xcQdrQEJeJJqkN9iQ-_udWAdcmro2vaf-I0wwWioSZn_ZgR6zSJCOthj8ENWNvaMAc_0fjy9kAzGNKpdMl42RXphjEKN7IzRQOaL6ILeV69jf-T5j0_xcPmzwx1bhHdjgZ9Z5j/s1600/imagesCARGDB19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBe-agV0xcQdrQEJeJJqkN9iQ-_udWAdcmro2vaf-I0wwWioSZn_ZgR6zSJCOthj8ENWNvaMAc_0fjy9kAzGNKpdMl42RXphjEKN7IzRQOaL6ILeV69jf-T5j0_xcPmzwx1bhHdjgZ9Z5j/s200/imagesCARGDB19.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="color: yellow;">Group polarization</span> is a component of group-produced enhancement of the members pre-existing tendencies. This is a strengthening of the member's average tendency, not a split within the group.  To phrase it another way, not every person in the group will have a pre-existing tendency towards crime. But, a risky shift can occur where the group is willing to make a riskier decision than they would as individuals. Group consensus may occur and after discussions individuals also alter their ways of thinking about the situation often because they want to be accepted by others (Maslow's theory).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: yellow;">Group think</span> is an exaggerated example of this phenomenon. Group think occurs when an amiable, cohesive groups exists, there is a relative isolation of the group from dissenting viewpoints, and there exists a directive leader who signals what decisions she or he favors. Within the group a series of processes occur:</div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Tendency to overestimate their invulnerability.</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Unquestioned belief in the group's morality.</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Members rationalize their decisions and behavior and close off their minds to other possibilities.</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Tendency to view their opponent through stereotypes.</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Pressure to conform to the group.</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Censorship of disagreements which creates an illusion of unanimity.</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Some members of the group control (protect) other members from information that would call into question the effectiveness or mortality of its decisions.</li></ul><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It should be noted that not all groups become violent or commit acts of violence. But when they are left to their own decisions without guidance of an adult, behaviors can turn violent.</div><br /><strong><u>Good Group Dynamics</u></strong><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Teaching teens about what a good group dynamic is important. It helps them understand the pit-falls that face a group as well to understand what occurs within a group that can lead to behaviors that would be considered inappropriate.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><strong>How do we teach that, is always the question?</strong> <br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><ol><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlICPGxvnBcxHDoai8wyBBtIWAEb-8D-hL4k1aoULP-ZsoHTZUbkW_-7FNCVjj8u6WE5maqhBxA1otrS7PGJWturANi4ktyHw_zZrV_75f3Ie1gVsk-GrurRb0-cMEWrQNpjDSUaxxIVN/s1600/teens_actors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlICPGxvnBcxHDoai8wyBBtIWAEb-8D-hL4k1aoULP-ZsoHTZUbkW_-7FNCVjj8u6WE5maqhBxA1otrS7PGJWturANi4ktyHw_zZrV_75f3Ie1gVsk-GrurRb0-cMEWrQNpjDSUaxxIVN/s200/teens_actors.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong>Discuss with teens what a good group is!</strong> By that I mean all groups do not inherently have criminal intent behind them. It is their actions and the actions of the group that make them criminal organizations. Good groups are those that have a common bond, in which the groups goals is to achieve something positive. Not criminal, not negative!  Good groups help their members succeed, through guidance, camaraderie and shared goals. Great examples are the Boy Scouts, 4 H and Girl Scouts.</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Be available</strong>. Be there when your teen has questions, pay attention to them when they come to you. In our difficult lives, we are all pressed for time. But take a moment to sit down with your children. Dinner time is one of those great times to have discussions, shut the TV off and let the conversation flow. Schedule times, use the medium your teens use. Send them a text message saying you want to meet them to discuss an issue. You will be surprised how they respond. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Be Humble</strong>. Remember we do not have all the answers. When you don't know the answer seek out the help you need to get the right answers and the help you need. There are very few people who have experienced all of what life offers. Be willing to reach out and seek the help that will meet your needs, goals and desires when it comes to the health and well being of your children.</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Be their parent, not their friend.</strong> Many parents seek friendship with their children as a way to not only get their children to like them, but to also get them to comply with their wishes.  Which almost always backfires, teens don't need adult friends. They need their parents to be their parents. "In absence of order, is Chaos.", many parents forget this, it is what ever teen craves, order. Teens like things to be set up for them, such as rules, requirements, it makes the decision making model easier for them to achieve. But in absence of rules, teens are left to their own decision making model and it is flawed because of hormones, maturity and inexperience. So let their be rules!</li><li><strong>Be a Role Model.</strong> This is probably the most over discussed issue for all prevention related tips, but it is also the one that is most missed. If you are telling your child not to drink and drive, you can't be doing it either. The same goes for texting and driving! Don't do it! If they see you doing it, it must be OK, so why can't I, will be their thinking. Walk the talk!</li></ol>

Good Group Dynamics: What we should be teaching our children!

There are always articles and stories about what parents should look out for when dealing with a child or teen who becomes gang involved. We...

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Parent Tips: 5 Ways to Gang Proof a Child

<ol style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><li><strong>Have the Right Attitude</strong> - Don’t think: “A gang’s going to get my kids, and I can’t stop it.” Recognize that you play an important part in keeping your kids out of gangs.</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaVy_IZ36Fq3JEwpTjOpIY82mqAOlHzq40Cb42yyuWHYpKyLfjZNTqltfwPBJDTx5ey8kF41johV1BECVs8A4wes7ewZKyAp1SUkO5nX-PkKArqFnbqbrAJDebkXg0hWAjSotEPMqN5AW/s1600/kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaVy_IZ36Fq3JEwpTjOpIY82mqAOlHzq40Cb42yyuWHYpKyLfjZNTqltfwPBJDTx5ey8kF41johV1BECVs8A4wes7ewZKyAp1SUkO5nX-PkKArqFnbqbrAJDebkXg0hWAjSotEPMqN5AW/s320/kids.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong>Be involved in your child’s life</strong>.  - Show interest in your child’s schoolwork, hobbies and friends. Work to build open, ongoing communication with your child. Listen without being quick to judge. Set aside time for positive family activities. Monitor what your child watches and listens to, especially TV shows, music, and movies that promote gangs or violence. Encourage your child to spend time wisely – studying, doing chores, or participating in sports, hobbies, art, scouts or volunteer groups.</li><li><strong>Be a Good Role Model</strong> - Don’t abuse alcohol or other drugs. If you have a problem with drugs, violence or anything else that interferes with family life, get help. Honor your work and expect your child to do the same.</li><li><strong>Teach Good Values and Responsibility</strong> - Emphasize strong family values, including respect and responsibility. Show by your example how much your value these traits. Be consistent about discipline. Hold your child answerable for his or her behavior. Teach your child respect for authority.  Establish clear limits and rules; expect your child to follow them.</li><li><strong>Safeguard Your Child</strong> -  Know the “Three W’s” </li></ol>                      1.Where your child is?<br />                      2.What he or she is doing?<br />                      3.Who he or she is with?

Parent Tips: 5 Ways to Gang Proof a Child

Have the Right Attitude - Don’t think: “A gang’s going to get my kids, and I can’t stop it.” Recognize that you play an important part in k...

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Girls and Gangs, their growing influence in today’s society

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQM8J0XWPXiak0SPDu1Q6YFqqfbKo5nnTnvKL_JLmVnfujkJAESG3GS9pJCafmaMxgqhv4Ax_ceO_ThRct_q_H7VB116JHTy2UGSWPbJg5xEN6_8Th2PqE5HnOg5vC1ivdwDfqLPzUbzB/s1600/female+latin+queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQM8J0XWPXiak0SPDu1Q6YFqqfbKo5nnTnvKL_JLmVnfujkJAESG3GS9pJCafmaMxgqhv4Ax_ceO_ThRct_q_H7VB116JHTy2UGSWPbJg5xEN6_8Th2PqE5HnOg5vC1ivdwDfqLPzUbzB/s1600/female+latin+queen.jpg" /></a></div>Girls in Gangs is probably one of the most misrepresented or ignored areas of gang prevention and intervention. There are limited studies on the overall involvement of girls in gangs, much of it is characterized by a gender bias. When researchers do study the issue, their sources for information are frequently male gang members. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VRH_J5Oct8jtgIeSeUHAx4agSJfHWzHAERK5SmMozkikG9TWQWG750wyZlJ2NVta0sItenpOZGwCBGsBpHN1wUzlzeI_2UnON_rfGRz2h3S6VNHWRVMPWCnxoOecfapGg21PZLE3menD/s1600/856454044_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VRH_J5Oct8jtgIeSeUHAx4agSJfHWzHAERK5SmMozkikG9TWQWG750wyZlJ2NVta0sItenpOZGwCBGsBpHN1wUzlzeI_2UnON_rfGRz2h3S6VNHWRVMPWCnxoOecfapGg21PZLE3menD/s200/856454044_l.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />During early research conducted by Thrasher and other experts erroneously believed that female gang members were nothing more than “sexual objects” to be controlled by male gang members. In Thrashers study in 1936, which is considered the first comprehensive study of gangs and gang violence, even Thrasher dismissed girl gang participation within the gang subculture as auxiliary in nature. What Thrasher was implying is that female gang member involvement was strictly for social or sexual activities.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Thrasher’s study is most often the model for which many other studies are based on in the area of gang research. However, recent research has shown that female gang involvement is on the rise and their overall involvement in gang-related criminal activities is on the rise out pacing their male counterparts. </div><br /><br /><br />The explosion of females may be a by product of cultural, socio-economic issues that plague society as a whole. Many females frustrated by the absence of equal rights, the inability to voice their influence, has forced a moved to from their own groups. Female gang members today have little concern over the impression they have on the opposite sex, the majority of their problems are often gender related, sexual abuse, male violence and pregnancy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKcG-5LswUtTKXzs2UHH2DQo221RY-9O2tNC6BLa5rkqEoZ-Fjbt_NZEF1JUCEKmYd46iX9NoRitgEWWKj6GCNsHfG_h2yhXbInj_8pM_1zxXkE-vwq5MMcwO8N_B1KUCv5saRvbOQf7y/s1600/fsur1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKcG-5LswUtTKXzs2UHH2DQo221RY-9O2tNC6BLa5rkqEoZ-Fjbt_NZEF1JUCEKmYd46iX9NoRitgEWWKj6GCNsHfG_h2yhXbInj_8pM_1zxXkE-vwq5MMcwO8N_B1KUCv5saRvbOQf7y/s1600/fsur1.bmp" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Girls join gangs for a variety of reasons as do their male counterparts. But in the female gang subculture they are laying claim to an area in exerting power and control over their area of control in order to achieve status.</div><br /><br /><br />According to research conducted by Joan Moore’s research female gang-affiliated members come from the same dysfunctional environment and harmful types of homes as the male members, but the girls were much more expressive about this. They stated that joining a gang was like a path to liberation from the stereotypical roles they would be forced into in traditional society. However, many female gang members experience severe problems in the gang including sexual exploitations and violence.<br /><br /><br /><br />Joining a gang provides a female with promises of financial reward, identity and status. Female gang members are also more likely to hold down a respectable job at the same time that they are involved in gang activity. If girls are part of a male gang, they are often asked to commit crimes at the gang leader’s bidding because many law-enforcement officers may be more inclined to let girls get away with more criminal activity, simply because of their gender.<br /><br /><br /><br />Girls who do not wish to be subjected to abuse amongst the male gangs turn to all girl gangs as their liberation to exert control over their lives. They also join out of frustration because they are the ones committing crimes, running drugs and putting themselves in danger and they reap none of the rewards and their male counterparts maintain control.<br /><br /><br /><br />Part of the liberation for a female gang member in joining an all girl gang is that they avoid a catch 22 that is common in the gang culture. That Catch-22 called the “lover girl”, “ho” or “down” girl, “gang hoppers”, these are the girls who seek status by dating male gang members and who attempt to participate in gang life without a formal initiation. In the gang subculture in which power, control and machismo is a driving force, the girls who are “play things” for male gang members are looked down upon both by male gang members and full fledged female gang members. <br /><br /><br /><br />According to Campbell and Moore most females join gangs for friendship and self-affirmation, but recent research shows that economic and family pressures motivate many young women to join gangs.<br /><br /><br /><br />Due to recent economic shifts and changes in the welfare system, the total number of persons on welfare has been reduced. This reduction or eliminated welfare payment has forced many economically deprived women into positions in which they have to make money in order to survive or provide for family. Some have turned to prostitution, while others have turned to gangs as a means of “earning money.”<br /><br /><br /><br />Family pressures seem to be a constant where female gang membership flourishes. According to Moore, high proportions of female gang members have experienced sexual abuse at home. In Los Angeles, 29 percent of a large representative sample of Mexican American female gang members had been abused at home and there homes were more likely than male gang members to include drug users and persons arrested for crimes. Miller cites that a majority noted family problems as a contributing factor,” citing drug addiction and abuse as the most common problems.<br /><br /><br /><br />Laidler and Hung found that in San Francisco, CA, a large multi ethnic study of female gang members describes them as “resisting normative forms of femininity” but also “devising alternative forms for femininity.”<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><u>Drugs and Girls</u></strong><br />In a study conducted by Moore and Hagedorn of African American and Latina female gang members in Milwaukee showed that many more females were dealing drugs, but they were less likely to do so than were males. According to their study about one-half of the female gang members and three quarters of male gang members had sold cocaine in their lives. A higher percentage of Latina females, 72 percent and 81 percent for Latino males. Compared to African American females 31 percent and male 69 percent. <br /><br /><br /><br />A 1993 study conducted by Taylor which looked at Detroit’s “corporate gangs” that is gangs organized for “financial gang by criminal action.” The study revealed that both autonomous (all female) and gender-integrated selling crews were involved in drug street economy. The position of females in the drug dealing business has changed, which was accelerated by the collapse of job opportunities in the inner city and the collapse of neighborhood social structure. As drug dealing became more common among gang members, autonomous female dealers occasionally emerged. <br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><u>Ethnicity and Gender Roles in the Gang</u></strong><br />Most female gangs are either African America or Latina, although there are small numbers of Asian and white female gangs, there numbers are still small in comparison to the later two. <br /><br /><br /><br />Autonomy, African American and white female gang members would be more autonomous and Latinas more subordinate to their male counterparts. Factors that played into autonomy included the Male unemployment and the incarceration of the many males who are convicted of illegal economic activities removes males from both Latino and African America households. As a result, women must rely on their own resources to support themselves and their children.<br /><br /><br /><br />In Taylor’s Detroit study he found that “the female is an intrinsic part of the gangs group identity who participate in gang activities.” Former female gang members reported that even though police ignored then, they were just as involved in gang warfare, drinking, and sex as the male members of their gang.<br /><br /><br /><br />African American females were more likely than Latinas to be employed, less likely to be on welfare, and more likely to have moved away from their old gang neighborhoods (Hagedorn and Devitt, 1999) The comparison conducted in this study showed that Latina who had gang membership tended to have significant influence on their later lives, but for African America females the gang tended to be an episode. <br /><br /><br /><br />Latina female gang members were more likely to fight side by side of their male counterparts and they were more likely to use hard drugs. Latina female gang members also felt that the gang played an important part in their lives <br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><u>Long-term Consequences of Gang life</u></strong><br />For many young girls joining the gang subculture can be an adolescent episode, for others it is a gateway to a lifestyle to behaviors that are socially and morally unacceptable. Long term effects of the gang subculture have different effects based on ethnicity and race. For example where as African American females gang membership is Milwaukee was considered an adolescent episode, Mexican America females had long lasting effects. For example, Mexican America females who joined a gang in Los Angeles were likely from families that were already stigmatized by conventional community residents. Many had joined the gang to escape abusive families but their membership actually restrained their futures. Most female gang members married male gang members whose careers often involved repeated incarceration. In contrast less that one-fifth of the male gang members married females from the gang. Of additional constraint on a female gang members life is children. Most male gang members also have children but the consequences are more restrictive for females.<br /><br />_____ <br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Harris, MN. 1988. Cholas: Latino Girls and Gangs, New York, NY: AMS Press</span> <br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Girls in Gangs, http://www.essortment.com/all/girlsgang_rbhl.htm</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mydans, Seth, “Life in Girls’ Gang: Colors and Bloody Noses”, New York Times, January 29, 1999</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Miller, Jody, “One of the Guys: Girls, Gangs and Gender”, Oxford Press, New York, NY</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Moore, Joan & Hagedorn, John, “Female Gangs: A focus on Research”, OJJDP, Juvenile Justice Bulletin, March 2001</span>

Girls and Gangs, their growing influence in today’s society

Girls in Gangs is probably one of the most misrepresented or ignored areas of gang prevention and intervention. There are limited studies on...

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Gang Units: Be Inclusive not Exclusive

In the last few years all across the nation, law enforcement agencies and municipalities formed gang units. This action was a direct response in a spike or uptick of gang violence, street crimes and narcotics trafficking. <br /><br /><br /><br />Law Enforcement is typically a reactive entity. Something happens we react. The news media gets a good story, citizens complain, politicians get asked that question, “what are you doing to…?” So we in law enforcement react. The simplest approach is to send officer’s out there, make arrests and send the ‘bad guys to jail.’<br /><br /><br />In the last fifteen years we have seen street gangs move across the country. Back in the early eighties it was the Bloods/Crips, in the early 90’s Asian street gangs, in the late 90’s and early part of the century it was Sureno’s. Now we have the threat of MS-13. Where even the FBI has a task force created just to address the issue of MS-13. <br /><br /><br />Let me take you back a few years to a training opportunity I was allowed to attend through my department. In the November 2006 I attended the 3rd annual Chicago Gang Crime Summit. This is a one day course for Chicago Police Tactical Officers and Metropolitan Police Officers to learn about gang trends, current conflicts and to see what truly works against entrenched street gangs.<br /><br /><br />The Chicago Police Department has to be the most tech savvy department in the country. They have officers who can view live video feeds from “POD Cams”. They have sophisticated crime analysis software and deploy additional manpower based on the results. They have Commanders and Captains with Blackberry devices, video cameras in several squad cars and even automated license plate reading patrol vehicles. <br /><br /><br />While I sat through this very well attended training and received some very valuable information I came to a realization that they were missing something very important. What are they doing for prevention and intervention? What has Chicago done to improve quality of life? I also was thinking are we truly getting the most bang for our buck?<br /><br />Chicago has been for decades one of the best cities for sending their problems elsewhere. As the Chicago Police Department increased it’s tempo on street gangs, street crime and narcotics sales, they also went after problem buildings. <br /><br /><br />Chicago Police Department’s Problem Building Section went after homes, apartment buildings and property owners in an effort to reign in drugs and gangs. Ultimately they condemn the property, seize it, raze it or rebuild it. But because the property that is taken over, becomes pricey, that the local community members cannot afford it. Those that love the neighborhood and want to stay there, can’t keep up with urban renewal. Ultimately Chicago PD displace their problem onto someone else. <br /><br /><br />This displacement results in gang members traveling to communities that are not prepared for such activity or are just unable to see the problem arise until it is too late. As the problems continue to rise, communities will see increased street violence, property crime and substance abuse. Along with the increase in crime comes the demand for increased services through other agencies, including schools, medical and social. <br /><br /><br />Several years ago in Plano, Texas they experienced multiple deaths from high quality Heroin. The response to this issue was slow, because it wasn’t seen immediately. In early 2006 and across the Midwest overdoses from Fentanyl laced heroin caused hundreds of deaths. The response was slow, over 6 months before agencies starting communicating. The EMS agencies knew there was a problem, social services saw the problem, but law enforcement frequently says “it’s a junkie, so what?”<br /><br /><br />In order to address the gang issue, drugs and crime we need to attack it from all sides. Not to sound like a psychotherapist, but what is the root cause of the issue? I do not mean, all combined. I mean individually. There are reasons why young people in central Illinois travel several hours to Chicago’s west side to purchase their drugs. What are they lacking in their home communities that turn them to heroin use. <br /><br /><br />When we form task forces, gang units and street crime suppression units, we should be coordinating with everyone from schools, community groups, parents, businesses and religious organizations. Why? So that when these tasks forces go into play there are in place alternatives for young people to turn to. Activities such as sports, jobs, job skills training, tutoring, mentoring, spiritual guidance and counseling. <br /><br /><br />We need to train those officers about the available resources, teach them to begin mentoring young people from that first street stop. There is a gang cycle going on. That cycle repeats itself and has been repeating itself for over 50 years. We need to start interrupting it by not displacing the problem. We can no longer believe that where our borders end our problems stop. <br /><br /><br />If we didn’t learn that prior to September 11th, we had better learn it now. Look what happened after Hurricane Katrina. Hundreds of thousands of people displaced, no jobs, little hope, no homes, stuffed into already struggling communities across the nation. Crime jumped, no wonder why? I am sure we all thought thank god that’s not my community.

Gang Units: Be Inclusive not Exclusive

In the last few years all across the nation, law enforcement agencies and municipalities formed gang units. This action was a direct respons...

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Gangs and their use of Social Networking Sites

<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa-VIKRrjXUpJCdaRBiwd8OsRn0pKdrQ6uppY0ZBNEBx-dWvxUngmLfobWGYJFcImxynGeb0W0XDoEsi967FJtdoflngtFpd1QRslLPTq4HAL4CNaz0S0L1zgZUQwJwljxrJfP4g2v0Sr/s1600/socialnetwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa-VIKRrjXUpJCdaRBiwd8OsRn0pKdrQ6uppY0ZBNEBx-dWvxUngmLfobWGYJFcImxynGeb0W0XDoEsi967FJtdoflngtFpd1QRslLPTq4HAL4CNaz0S0L1zgZUQwJwljxrJfP4g2v0Sr/s200/socialnetwork.jpg" width="200" /></a>Since the rise of social networking websites like <a href="http://www.myspace.com/">Myspace</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/">Twitter</a> and a host of others school officers and parents have been struggling to protect their children . What are the risk? Sexual predators, drug and alcohol use and the teen desire to carve out a persona free from their parents watchful eyes.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNVIppAoNtNc0Bo8UOKd7giQwdD1b9BP7_N04I0KT36XMXxttkV1KA5BiaXoLRd64BmW7HW6xIm5vYAbBzGe6ISK6J-5WcOfzmAJ3drKDGGmG8q8C74Rl_c6u0zswFUtmmX_b9M4zI1YI/s1600/OTR4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNVIppAoNtNc0Bo8UOKd7giQwdD1b9BP7_N04I0KT36XMXxttkV1KA5BiaXoLRd64BmW7HW6xIm5vYAbBzGe6ISK6J-5WcOfzmAJ3drKDGGmG8q8C74Rl_c6u0zswFUtmmX_b9M4zI1YI/s200/OTR4.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Q5JrXxXjEQ2h7QvVQra5imLvIpZM5YZPG9KU7aSUVGPjaWskf_I9wLvfyFvPzj1QA5VjlnqbSSAjmvASRXZ53KZpLpUqqm0vrjRPKMPb9OmoiEfmBem3wuXovK0mhxN7ub13BGOPYW-6/s1600/OTR6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Q5JrXxXjEQ2h7QvVQra5imLvIpZM5YZPG9KU7aSUVGPjaWskf_I9wLvfyFvPzj1QA5VjlnqbSSAjmvASRXZ53KZpLpUqqm0vrjRPKMPb9OmoiEfmBem3wuXovK0mhxN7ub13BGOPYW-6/s200/OTR6.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The main risk for young people is still the massive amount of personal information that they post on these sites. That information can lead to someone conducting a <a href="http://www.google.com/">Goggle</a> or <a href="http://www.zabasearch.com/">Zabasearch</a> or paying for a search to quickly locate someone from the information they provided. In many cases the searcher doesn’t even have to do that. All the information is already present including names, birth dates, school names, ages, telephone numbers and in all cases a picture of the person.<br /><br />But like all new technologies street gangs are now starting to exploit social networks as well. Posting boasts, put downs, networking with other gang members locally and nationally as well. <br /><br />A cursory look at several sites found one member of the Maniac Latin Disciples look for information on a rival gang member by nickname. Within a day another person posted the rivals full name, address where he works and the car he drives. One can only wonder what will happen now that the rival has that information.  <br />Gang members are posting pictures of themselves with firearms, drugs, using drugs and most importantly interacting with gang members, non gang members and associates electronically. <br /><br />Gang investigators should take note of this and began spending a bit of time looking for local gang members and viewing their blogs and posts to see if any incidents are related to recent incidents in their community. The intelligence factor relating to this alone makes it a worthwhile venture.A recent<a href="http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/10273-colombian-police-uncover-facebook-gang-war.html"> article</a> about street gangs and facebook only highlights this issue.<br /><br /><br />In one documented case an investigator in Atlanta had an unsolved homicide that was suspected gang related and while looking through several Myspace sites of known gang members he came across a picture of a gun, broken down. <br /><br />The investigator was able to read the serial number off of the high quality digital picture and traced the gun to a gun shop. Their records showed it was purchased by a known gang member with no criminal record. <br /><br />The same gang member who had to gun up on his site, and coincidentally the same caliber firearm used in the shooting. A search warrant was obtained and the gun was located. Ballistic tests linked it conclusively to the homicide.<br /><br />These type of examples are typical of what an investigator might expect to locate by keeping track of these sites. By being vigilant the intelligence gained can be invaluable to any law enforcement organization.

Gangs and their use of Social Networking Sites

Since the rise of social networking websites like Myspace , Facebook , Twitter and a host of others school officers and parents have been s...

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Gangs: The Business behind the Bars

The State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation conducted a two year investigation into the level of gang activity and its ability to thrive inside the New Jersey Correctional System. What was discovered was a litany of failures, circumvented security procedures, failures to train staff adequately and a general miss-trust of those handling gang intelligence compounded the growing gang problem.<br /><br /><br /><div>  The key findings of the commission report including </div><br /><ol><li> use of Inmate Financial Transactions to launder money, </li><li>inmates communicating all over the country via cell phone and Smart phone technology. </li><li>Lapses in security and correctional officers smuggling in contraband to inmates. </li><li>Inadequate gang identification and intelligence</li><li>Systemic vulnerabilities in DOC personnel practices and </li><li>Dysfunctional Investigation system with the prison correctional setting.</li></ol><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikb4iQTXmHh1H6v6JoKnnEBzjJTan3FaemZyk84TwkabfyTAd327LFHy-0leOcPuG6G1GNk9zptA-jZ8xBcRGmi09yppMk1ePgBdRmqGYtiIoeQ6R-3BxL0AOwDG0UzkBGWSSGSCYcgNiJ/s1600/newjersey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikb4iQTXmHh1H6v6JoKnnEBzjJTan3FaemZyk84TwkabfyTAd327LFHy-0leOcPuG6G1GNk9zptA-jZ8xBcRGmi09yppMk1ePgBdRmqGYtiIoeQ6R-3BxL0AOwDG0UzkBGWSSGSCYcgNiJ/s320/newjersey.jpg" width="266" /></a>The report conducted through a series of interview, surveillance, procedural review and departmental policy revealed a very interesting state of the gang picture within the New Jersey Correctional System. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">New Jersey has 14 prison institutions in which the New Jersey Department of Corrections is responsible for. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What was discovered is that gang members utilizing cellular telephones smuggled in either by corrupt correctional officers, civilian staff or visitors allows them to communicate with a wide variety of people. Inside the system they can communicate with fellow gang members within the institutional system, fellow gang members on the street or other gang members outside the state. </div><br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Identified were the pre-pay disposable cell phones that are smuggled into the system for about $1000. Once inside the gang members utilize the relatively small size of the SIM card and easily switch the information from one phone to another reducing the risk of discovery. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In addition, the report identifies how gang members bypass the internal telephone monitoring system by having a collect call to a “family” member placed into a third party mode. Allowing the gang member to communicate with whomever they wish. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The report also details that the shear volume of regular mail that comes into the prison system is impossible to monitor. The favored method by gang members for distributing operational instructions via mail is heavily coded, and many times unbreakable. But merely identifying the mail that is suspect is hampered by a system that requires all mail to be delivered within 24 hours of receipt at the jail. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The C of I report also revealed that correctional officers receive a scant 8 hours of training in a 14 week academy class when the standards says a minimum of 40 hours is needed. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Commission of Investigation detailed a series of recommendations that should be carried out both inside the New Jersey Department of Corrections but outside as well. To read the report in its entirety please go to the link below.</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.state.nj.us/sci/pdf/Gangs%20SCI%20Report%20Full.pdf">Read the full report here</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=gateamerica&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002P8MRPG&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></div>

Gangs: The Business behind the Bars

The State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation conducted a two year investigation into the level of gang activity and its ability to th...

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Wannabe’s— Dangerous speak in today’s climate!

The trend of referring to youth who act in a gang like manner as a “wannabe,” is very dangerous. It can cause the public to drop their guard especially when used by political figures such as Chiefs of Police or Politicians.<br /><br /><br />This term which on-line dictionary, Wikipedia defines as “a person who likes to imitate, or even withes to be another, but cannot achieve due to physical, psychological, financial, cultural, political, religious or mental limitations.” Now, some people are inclined to believe that teens or youth who tag a wall, commit ac<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiYvaQeb0MONQBDtAts-evm_Ue9Hvj56bXfrLOdjKnb2bkF1i5eH41JvCdl7d5NCpeP-SSHoY5Tanongm1WUfzE11FSb4QS6TcyX8Rs2Ls2K6pjylO0MeHS-zWU_dZIZ4GDwVw7cBOO89/s1600/thug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiYvaQeb0MONQBDtAts-evm_Ue9Hvj56bXfrLOdjKnb2bkF1i5eH41JvCdl7d5NCpeP-SSHoY5Tanongm1WUfzE11FSb4QS6TcyX8Rs2Ls2K6pjylO0MeHS-zWU_dZIZ4GDwVw7cBOO89/s1600/thug.jpg" /></a>ts of “wilding”, or other acts of malicious mischief are just playing.<br /><br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Robert Lugo, noted educator and expert on Gangs has stated, “If I find a hardcore gang member, I am more willing to talk with them than I am a wannabe gang member. A wannabe gang member is more likely to pull out a gun and whack ya. They are more likely to lay you out flat because they want to be gang members so bad.” </div><br />There are numerous definitions of a street gang. But to sum it up quickly, a gang is a group of people conducting criminal activity. If you have a individual or a group of individuals who walk like a duck, talk like a duck and look like a duck then they are a duck, then one could surmise that it is a duck. <br /><br />Because youth are so unpredictable or volatile, referring to them as “wannabes” can not only be a challenge but it can be taken as an insult by the person or persons being referred to.<br /><br />Sullivan County (NY) Sheriff Michael Schiff used the term “wannabe” in an appropriate manner in a news interview. He stated, “a gang wannabe is just a gang gonnabe, unless you take some action.” Now compare that statement with the next one.<br /><br />A suburban police chief in metro Chicago stated, “we don’t have a gang problem what we have are a bunch of ‘wannabes’ throwing signs and fighting.” That is a stark contrast to the prior statement made by Sheriff Schiff. In comparing the two statements, the first recognizes the problem and an understands what steps might be taken to further prevent problems. In the other you see someone using Orwellian doublespeak to the media so as to not lay blame upon the police department.<br /><br />By making these comments community members, political figures and local law enforcement will not be placed into the appropriate mindset in order to address the problem. <br /><br />What is the problem? Pointedly, identify the issues in your particular community that make the gang lifestyle attractive. Is it a lack of available jobs and activities for young people to do? Is there are high level of diversity that the majority community does not wish to acknowledge? <br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Politics do play a role in policing and yes in law enforcement we all have to answer to the community we serve. But we should provide them with accurate accounting of activities in our community, without the sugar coating. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">How else are we to expect the community to rally around law enforcement, schools and community leaders if they are told “everything is alright,” “remain calm” when there is really blood being spilled in the streets?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>Noted gang expert Steve Nawojczyk summed it up in the following statements. “There is no such thing as a gang "wanna-be” and officials who use it should strike it from their vocabulary, “They're gonna-bes,” Nawojczyk said. “If that child thinks he's a Crip, he's a Crip."<br /><br />By being open with community members, politicians and youth you will receive financial assistance, political backing and successfully addressing the issue.<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=gateamerica&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0743276914&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>

Wannabe’s— Dangerous speak in today’s climate!

The trend of referring to youth who act in a gang like manner as a “wannabe,” is very dangerous. It can cause the public to drop their guard...

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Dating male gang members means: Teenager girls more likely to get pregnant!

A study released in the May 2009 edition of the American Journal of Epidemiology, followed 237 sexually active females 14 to 19 years of age. They were predominantly from Latino Neighborhoods in San Francisco and examined the relationships between gang exposure and pregnancy for a two-year period between 2001 and 2004. <br /><br /><br />According to Dr. Alexandra Minnis, PhD at the RTI International, the University of California San Francisco and the University of North Carolina, “The significant role of partner’s gang membership in increasing pregnancy risk highlights the importance of addressing the reproductive health needs of gang involved youth. <br /><br />The researchers found that girls’ gang membership did not affect their risk of pregnancy, but girls with gang-affiliated boyfriends were twice as likely to become pregnant as their peers. Girls whose boyfriends spent time in jail were also more likely to become pregnant.<br /><br />Over the length of the study, more than one-fourth (27.4%) of the participants became pregnant. The results found that pregnancy intentions particularly of male partners, played a significant role in the incidence of pregnancies. <br /><br />Minnis suggests that there may be increased perceived social pressures for gang involved youth to have a baby and the belief that pregnancy strengthens the commitment between couples or influences the status of females within a relationship are strong with gang-involved couples.<br /><br />Additional women with gang-involved partners may feel less power to negotiate condom use. <br /><br />Because of this the increased risk of sexually active females in this area posses a serious risk for sexually transmitted infections.

Dating male gang members means: Teenager girls more likely to get pregnant!

A study released in the May 2009 edition of the American Journal of Epidemiology, followed 237 sexually active females 14 to 19 years of age...

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More dead many wounded in Chicago. When will it stop?

Well if you have been following the violence that has been running rampant in Chicago, this probably will not surprise you. <a href="http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/09/at-least-9-injured-in-overnight-shootings.html">Chicago Breaking News</a> posted one teen dead and 11 wounded in one night and it wasn't even the weekend. One would think that when Chicago Police Superintendent <a href="https://portal.chicagopolice.org/portal/page/portal/ClearPath/WeisMessageSept2010">Jody Weiss</a> meet with Gang Leaders that he would have scared them into submission. Instead it seems they are only holding up there fingers to the Weiss. They do not fear the threat that Weiss offered because they see the Police getting investigated for crimes and prosecuted. Or Officers who kill an armed assailant on a <a href="http://cbs2chicago.com/local/cta.police.shooting.2.1919432.html">CTA Train</a> early last week are accused of executing the "unarmed" man.<br /><br />When will the good people of Chicago wake up and send a message to their elected officials. Enough is enough. In the upcoming Mayoral Election all the hacks who were never law and order types in the first place will start screaming for more law and order. A hypocrisy I say!

More dead many wounded in Chicago. When will it stop?

Well if you have been following the violence that has been running rampant in Chicago, this probably will not surprise you. Chicago Breaking...

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What is GATE?

GATE is a school based gang, drug and violence prevention program for grades K through high school. It is one of the fastest growing prevention and intervention programs available to law enforcement, educators and prevention specialists today.<br /><br />It boasts three main curriculum's, GATE Kids K-4, GATE grades 5-8 and RADICAL, which covers high school level. The curriculum's are easy to teach, designed to be age appropriate, with lesson plans cover, anger, diversity, self-esteem, bullying, gangs awareness, dating violence, racial intolerance, team building, civic pride, law, internet safety, dating violence, driving safety and community service.

What is GATE?

GATE is a school based gang, drug and violence prevention program for grades K through high school. It is one of the fastest growing prevent...

Read more »