GANG TIPS FOR COMMUNITIES
What the Community Can Do
Gangs thrive on ignorance and apathy. Keeping them out of a community takes cooperation and a willingness to say, “This will not happen here!”
Community Awareness – All members of the community should be educated and aware of what gang activity looks like, and what to do if they witness it. Local law enforcement agencies can provide excellent workshops for a variety of groups and we can assist with this as well.
Community Action – Businesses, schools, government, and citizens need to pool their energy and resources to meet the community’s needs. Working together, the problem will seem less intimidating.
Supervised Activities – Give kids a place to go after school. Staff activities with responsible adults who work with kids on homework, in games, in arts and crafts, etc. Children tend to get into much less trouble when there are adults around and watching.
Resistance Skills Training – Teach children the skills they need to resist negative influences in their lives. DARE, GREAT, GANGFREE and other programs are a good step in the direction. Children also need to be taught how to make good decisions, and to take responsibility for their behavior
Community Service Programs – Get kids involved in giving back to the community. If they are responsible for cleaning up, they will be less likely to mess them up later. Teach children the value of providing services to others, and model your commitment to the neighborhood whenever they are present.
Graffiti Removal Program – Work with local agencies to develop a consistent approach to graffiti. If it is removed promptly, that sends a message of “zero tolerance” and gangs will know they are not welcome. If you use your local correctional facility and inmate labor you provide a free labor force as well as position of “giving back” to the community for crimes committed against them, etc.
Gangs thrive on ignorance and apathy. Keeping them out of a community takes cooperation and a willingness to say, “This will not happen here!”
Community Awareness – All members of the community should be educated and aware of what gang activity looks like, and what to do if they witness it. Local law enforcement agencies can provide excellent workshops for a variety of groups and we can assist with this as well.
Community Action – Businesses, schools, government, and citizens need to pool their energy and resources to meet the community’s needs. Working together, the problem will seem less intimidating.
Supervised Activities – Give kids a place to go after school. Staff activities with responsible adults who work with kids on homework, in games, in arts and crafts, etc. Children tend to get into much less trouble when there are adults around and watching.
Resistance Skills Training – Teach children the skills they need to resist negative influences in their lives. DARE, GREAT, GANGFREE and other programs are a good step in the direction. Children also need to be taught how to make good decisions, and to take responsibility for their behavior
Community Service Programs – Get kids involved in giving back to the community. If they are responsible for cleaning up, they will be less likely to mess them up later. Teach children the value of providing services to others, and model your commitment to the neighborhood whenever they are present.
Graffiti Removal Program – Work with local agencies to develop a consistent approach to graffiti. If it is removed promptly, that sends a message of “zero tolerance” and gangs will know they are not welcome. If you use your local correctional facility and inmate labor you provide a free labor force as well as position of “giving back” to the community for crimes committed against them, etc.
