Missionaries of the Sacred

Although no one wants to believe that it’s even possible that their child is involved in a gang, it is important to know the warning signs, because ignoring the signs or denying the reality just allows the problem to get worse. The sooner you rec­ognize that your child or teenager may either be involved with a gang or is thinking about becoming involved, the sooner you can seek help. In addition to the general warning signs, parents and caregivers should also become familiar with the symbols of local gangs.

Negative changes in behavior can be a sign of many things, including gang involvement. Watch for withdrawal from family, signs of drug use, negative changes in school performance or attendance, or an unusual desire for secrecy or privacy.

Warning Signs - What to Look For

• Admits to hanging out with kids you know are involved in a gang
• Highly interested in 1 or 2 particular colors or a particular logo or brand of clothing (possible methods of gang identification)
• Shows unusual interest in or seems fasci­nated by gangster-influenced music, videos, movies, websites etc. (remember that one method of gang recruitment is seduction)
• Communicates with friends using unusual hand signals
• Speaks in gang-style slang
• Has been in trouble with the police
• Has gang symbols or a particular drawing or image on school books, clothes, tattoos or on the walls in their room (look for recur­ring images)
• Has unexplained cash or is able to buy clothes, jewelry, electronics, etc. that seem too expensive for known sources of income (such birthday money, allowance, part-time job)
• Has unexplained physical injuries that could be the result of fighting (several gang initia­tion rites involve fighting)
• Carries a weapon
• Stays out late without reason