Warning Signs That Your Child May Be Involved With a Gang
Here’s how parents can recognize and prevent gang involvement.
This quick reference guide from the U.S. Department of Justice provides common warning signs of gang involvement, but may not be all-encompassing. Parents should 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.
Parents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with local gang symbols, seek help early, and consider contacting school personnel, local law enforcement, faith leaders, and community organizations for additional assistance.
These are the common warning signs:
- Admits to “hanging out” with kids in gangs
- Shows an unusual interest in one or two particular colors of clothing or a particular logo
- Has an unusual interest in gangster-influenced music, videos, movies, or websites.
- Uses unusual hand signals to communicate with friends
- Has specific drawings or gang symbols on school books, clothes, walls, or tattoos
- Comes home with unexplained physical injuries (fighting-related bruises, injuries to hand/knuckles)
- Has unexplained cash or goods, such as clothing or jewelry
- Carries a weapon
- Has been in trouble with the police
Exhibits negative changes in behavior such as:
- Withdrawing from family
- Declining school attendance, performance, behavior
- Staying out late without reason
- Displaying an unusual desire for secrecy
- Exhibiting signs of drug use
- Breaking rules consistently
- Speaking in gangstyle slang
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Related Articles:
- What Parents Can Do to Prevent Gang Involvement
- Gang Prevention 101: A School Approach
- What the Writing on the Wall Can Tell You
- Design Your Way to a Graffiti-Free Campus
If you appreciated this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
Related Content
Leading in Turbulent Times: Effective Campus Public Safety Leadership for the 21st Century
This new webcast will discuss how campus public safety leaders can effectively incorporate Clery Act, Title IX, customer service, “helicopter” parents, emergency notification, town-gown relationships, brand management, Greek Life, student recruitment, faculty, and more into their roles and develop the necessary skills to successfully lead their departments. Register today to attend this free webcast!
