NYC DOE Gang Prevention & Intervention Unit Gangs Culture

NYC DOE Gang Prevention Intervention Unit Gangs Culture

GPIU Mission The mission of the Gang Prevention & Intervention Unit (GPIU) is to support the education of students in New York City public schools by providing high qualitative professional development, technical assistance, and collaborative intervention & prevention services to decrease gang and youth violence. The GPIU supports a collaborative problem solving model designed to holistically address many of the needs that impact our youth today. The primary goal of GPIU is to provide assistance to schools and their communities by developing proactive strategies to address gang activity and other forms of youth violence. The unit collaborates with stakeholders within the school community and particularly with Safety Directors to design and implement preventative measures that address individual and group needs related to youth gang violence and bullying. GPIU is available to provide professional development training, support gang and bullying prevention programs and faith based initiatives while collaborating with local, state and federal agencies. GANG DEFINITION Definition of a Gang A gang is a group of three (3) or more people using common identifying signs, symbols and colors demonstrating their common purpose to engage in criminal, violent or anti-social activity such as graffiti, vandalism, extortion, intimidation, robbery, theft, drug sales and use, and violence (e.g., drive-by shootings). Disclaimer: While many of these identifiers remail the foundation of gang formation, additional groups often form and use different types of representation. It is important that school communities and families work together with local law enforcement and counseling professionals to identify the trends and identifiers that are present within their respective neighborhoods. WARNING SIGNS Parents/guardians and educators should pay attention to the warning signs below. These signs could indicate that a child may be involved in some form of gang activities. While not all of these warning signs mean a child is part of a gang, they are good indicators that something is wrong with the child. · Staying away from home or school · Personality changes · Isolation · Alcohol/drug use · Lying/stealing · Unexplained wealth · Increased problems with the law · Hand-signals

· Dress in a particular color/style/brand · Change of friends · Change in vocabulary · Graffiti– If you find graffiti you should take the following steps. 1. Read it 2. Record it 3. Report it 4. Remove it GANG RECRUITMENT TECHNIQUES SEDUCTION: Seduction is a very common technique that gang members use to recruit new members - They create glorified myths about the gang -New recruits are attracted to parties, money and sex - New recruits are taught hand signs, colors, graffiti, by-laws, further glamorizing the gang mystique COERCION: Coercion is an old technique use in some of our larger gangs and more so inside our prison gangs! - Coercion may be used by way of threats to extort money from individuals - May involve physical beating. Some beatings have resulted in deaths. - Threats can be put out on family members SELF-RECRUITMENT: There are a wide range of personal reasons that youth choose to join gangs and it does not always mean they joined open heartedly. Acceptance - wanting to belong to a group Protection - feeling the need to be protected from other gangs. Family Loyalty -They may already have family members in the gang. Material Gain - There may be a need or desire for money. A youth may reach out to the gang and ask to join or be part of the (family). The motivation may in fact be a combination of family, money, protection etc. GANG STRUCTURE

Gangs have identifiable levels of memberships. The levels of membership (belonging) indicate status within the gang. We will focus on five basic levels of gang structure. I. LEADERSHIP: (Shot Callers, Original Gangsta –OG) · Leader(s) hierarchy determines the constitutional philosophy (By-Laws) of the gang membership. · Leader(s) will establish the rank structure of its members. · Characteristics of the leader(s) are reflected in the day-to day activities criminal or otherwise. II. HARD CORE GANG MEMBERS (Troopers) · Hard core gang members are usually older. · Hard core gang members enmeshed themselves in the culture as well as the criminal activity of the gang. · Hard core gang members usually make up about 10% of its membership and the are the most violent. III. ASSOCIATE GANG MEMBERS: (Bangers) · An associate member is one who is personally committed to the gang culture. · They want to ‘put in work’ for the gang. · Associate gang members seek recognition to attain hard core status. IV. FRINGE GANG MEMBERS: (Swingers, Hood Hoppers) · Fringe gang members may still function outside the gang structure. · Fringe gang members have not made a true commitment. · Fringe members tend to drift in and out of the gang and seem to lack focus. V. WANNA-BE GANG MEMBERS: (Peewees) · The youth who view the gang as being exciting. TYPES OF GANGS YOUTH GANGS · An identifiable group of adolescent youth both male and female · Engage in unlawful or anti-social activity · May be loosely structured or highly organized STREET GANGS · May be comprised of adults or juveniles · Loosely structured or highly organized · Engage in gang—focused criminal activities (drug sales) · Characteristics: turf concerns, hand signs, symbols, dress CRIMINAL GANGS

· A criminal expertise that controls with identifiable leadership. · Has a formal structure, male & female, adults or juvenile. · Engage in criminal activities for profit: Robbery, carjacking, drug sale, smuggling, prostitution, gambling, etc. SITUATIONAL GANGS · A group of individuals that comes together spontaneously · Can be composed of males, females, adolescents, or adults · Generally prompted by specific events or time · Will engage in serious criminal activities such as assault, robbery, tape, homicide, and other violent behavior · GANG SET—an extension or subset of the gang · Posse—A social group often linked together by common interest · Crew/Teams—A group of young people linked by neighborhood, housing development, or park etc., Known to have identifiers of a particular area such as street name, graffiti, etc. · Clique—Informal, restricted or exclusive social group of young people often associated through common interests, often subsets of larger social groups RECRUITMENT TECHNIQUES COERCION Coercion is an old technique used in some of the larger gangs and more often inside the prison gangs! · May involve threats to extort money from individuals. · May involve physical beating. Some beatings have resulted in deaths. · May involve the threatening of family members. SEDUCTION Seduction is a very common technique that gang members use to recruit new members · They create glorified myths about the gang. · New recruits are attracted to parties, money and sex. New recruits are taught hand signs, colors, graffiti and by-laws, further glamorizing the gang mystique. SELF-RECRUITMENT There are a wide range of personal reasons that youth choose to join gangs and it does not always mean they joined open heartedly. Acceptance - wanting to belong to a group Protection - feeling the need to be protected from other gangs. Family Loyalty -They may already have family members in the gang. Material Gain - There may be a need or desire for money.

A youth may reach out to the gang and ask to join or be part of the (family). The motivation may in fact be a combination of family, money, protection etc. GANG STRUCTURE Gangs have identifiable levels of membership. The levels of membership (belonging) indicate status within the gang. We will focus on five basic levels of gang structure. I. LEADERSHIP (shot Callers, Original Gangsta –OG) · Leader(s) hierarchy determines the constitutional philosophy (by-laws) of the gang membership. · Leader(s) will establish the rank structure of its members. · Characteristics of the leader(s) are reflected in the day-to-day activities criminal or otherwise. II. HARD CORE GANG MEMBERS (Troopers) · Hard core gang members are usually older. · Hard core gang members enmeshed themselves in the culture as well as the criminal activity of the gang. · Hard core gang members usually make up about 10% of its membership and they are the most violent. III. ASSOCIATE GANG MEMBERS: (Bangers) • An associate member is one who is personally committed to the gang culture. • They want to ‘put in work’ for the gang. • Associate gang members seek recognition to attain hard core status. IV. FRINGE GANG MEMBERS: (Swingers, Hood Hoppers) • Fringe gang members have not made a true commitment. • Fringe gang members tend to drift in and out of the gang and seem to lack focus. V. WANNA-BE GANG MEMBERS: (Peewees) • The youth who view the gang as being exciting. GANG INITIATION Beat or Jumped In Endure a beating bv fists, kicks, stomps or even bats and clubs ("rolled-in," "walk the line”). Armed Robbery The taking of money or goods in the possession of another, from his or her person or immediate presence, by force or intimidation. Drive-by Shooting A form of hit-and-run tactic, a personal attack carried out by an individual or individuals from a moving vehicle. Assault An intentional act by one person that creates an apprehension in another of an imminent harmful or offensive contact.

Rape A type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. Blessed In A family member or other gang member vouches for new member's worthiness and loyalty. Born In Brought into the gang through a parent's gang affiliation. Sexed In Female may have intercourse with multiple members. Murder Required to kill an innocent victim, rival gang member, or even a police officer. FEMALE GANGS Historically, female gangs have existed predominately as counterparts to male gangs. They are often associated with a gang as a sister, girlfriend, or relative. Females were often seen as inferior to males and have played minimal roles in gangs in the past. However, females are now breaking out and forming their own gangs and defining membership on their own terms. Most female gangs are either African-American or Latina, although there are increasing numbers of Asian and Caucasian female gangs. RISK FACTORS FOR FEMALES WHO JOIN GANGS · Low grades in school and high rates of absenteeism · Lack of involvement in positive activities in or out of school · Sexual abuse and victimization · Pregnancy · Exposure to sexual diseases · Family dysfunction · Low income · Early drug use and sexual activity · Emotional disorders · Exposure to violence Do’s and Don’ts for working with female gangs DO set clear and definite rules and consequences. Gang-involved-females respect and expect structure and discipline. (Be Fair, Be Firm, Be Consistent). DO treat gang-involved females with the same respect and value shown to other females. DO provide more cooperative hands–on learning experiences. DO have high expectations for alleged gang-involved females. DO talk to individual females about gang involvement. DON’T change your mind about enforcing the rules. Females view inconsistency as a sign of weakness. DON’T make any exceptions for ‘favors’. DON’T allow females to form their own cliques or groups. DON’T confront gang-involved females in front of their peers and groups (work one-on-one). DON’T humiliate or embarrass gang-involved females (especially in front of their peers).

GANG Identifiers/Indicators Gang members use several forms of identifiers to signify and show off their membership. Graffiti, tattoos, clothing, colors, language (verbal and non-verbal), hand signs, codes, literature, are all forms used by gangs to demonstrate affiliation with a gang. Gang identifiers are constantly evolving just as their behaviors are. ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN GANGS The warning signs of gang membership are growing increasingly difficult to spot in person. Gangs are now using technology to communicate and stay under school officials’ and parents’ radars. Gang members are now using different forms of digital communication such as text messaging, e-mailing, and social networking websites to recruit new members and plan gang

operations. Because today’s children represent the first generation to grow up using technology, they understand how the different means of digital communication functions often allows them to avoid detection by their parents or other adults who are not as technologically savvy. Websites such as but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, World Star and YouTube are being used by gangs in many ways, including but not limited to the following: Recruitment Prior to these recent technological advances, gang recruitment would occur mostly through faceto-face contact in schools, in parks, or anywhere else outside children’s homes. While children were at home, parents could be reasonably sure that their children would be removed from gang influence. Now, with the growing popularity and decreasing cost of cell phones and computers, gang recruitment can occur even while children are at home with their families. Technology has allowed gangs to reach out to potential new recruits at any time and in any place. Advertisement Gangs can use social networking sites to post videos and pictures as a way of advertising themselves. These websites can also serve to boost a gang’s reputation and perceived strength. Videos and pictures can be posted of gang members involved in criminal activities, fights, and other violent acts. Through the power of the Internet, this material can spread and contribute to a gang’s reputation among potential gang members. Planning Gang operations and criminal activity can also be planned via online forums. In the past, much of the planning would occur in large groups of people which were more easily identifiable to others. Since the development of these websites, gang operations can be planned through digital communication. This allows gangs to be more discreet and more difficult to identify. Flash Mobs Flash mobs involve the use of digital technology to coordinate and assemble a large number of people in a public space for the purpose of participating in an organized activity that appears to be spontaneous. Many examples are innocent, such as spontaneous dances in public parks or train stations. However, there are examples of flash mobs coordinated with malicious intent, such as the spontaneous robbing of a store or a particular individual, the spontaneous jumping of one or more individuals, or a spontaneous school walk-out by students. Flash mobs can also be used to initiate violence between members of different gangs. Sexting Sexting involves the use of cell phones to send text or picture messages containing sexual material. Often, these messages are sent privately from one individual to another only for the recipient to begin forwarding the message to friends. The message can then end up in the hands of many, at which point it is turned against the original sender into a bullying issue. When gangs are involved, violence can also be associated with the distribution of this material. .

BASELINE STRAGETIES FOR SCHOOLS 1. Assess your school environment (Use the Gang Assessment Survey). 2. Enforce the Citywide Standards of Intervention and Discipline Measures (The Discipline Code). 3. Demonstrate intolerance for gangs within your school community. 4. Establish clear Standard Operations Procedures (S.O.P.) to address Gang behavior Bullying, Cyber Threats, and Bias incidents. 5. Familiarize yourself with members of the Building Response Team (B.R.T.). 6. Provide continuous In-Service Gang Prevention and Intervention Training for staff and students (Intelligence Update). 7. Ensure a bias free environment. 8. Establish a Peer Mediation program for your school commlmity. 9. Develop Mentoring Programs for males/ females. 10. Ensure guidance lessons are provided to students on Respect for All and Chancellor?s Regulations A-83l and A-832. Staff should also be well versed on these regulations. 11. Create alternative and extended day programs for students. 12. Establish a Pro-Active Collaborative Problem Solving Networking group. Team with Local Law Enforcement and Community members/Leaders to ensure safe passage for students to and from school. 13. Provide ongoing trainings and workshops for parents. 14. Work with your local law enforcement community to provide safe passage for students to and from school.

COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING Management Systems Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) is a system in which local law enforcement and community members develop working partnerships and collaboration to identify and maximize exciting resources focusing on and improving the quality of life for all residents within the community. CPS strategies address both ?minor? criminal activities double parking, loud noises, etc.) as well as ?major? criminal activities gangs, illegal guns, drug sale, bias incidents, etc.). Collaborative Problem Solving must be ?exible, as well as, culturally and ethnically sensitive and responsive to the community. Prevention Early Intervention ormseling Support Services Peer Mediation Schools Based Alternative Programs School Safety Extended Day Services Job Opportrmity Comrmmity Based Organizations Internships Intervention Mental Health Counseling Mediation Teams Crisis Management Stakeholders Support Services (students, families, staff) Community Policing Partnership Mentoring Safe Passages Programs Supression Law Enforcement School Safety Corrections Probation/Parole AC Collaborative Intelligence Network Sharing Pro Active Investigation Enforcement Initiative

How Does the Prevention System Work? Family, health, human services, education, faith based, labor, juvenile justice working together to prevent the following: Disease 0 Health 0 Education 0 Imm1mity 0 Physical Exam 0 Parental Care Child Abuse 0 Family Prevention 0 Parent Training 0 Substance Abuse 0 Counseling 0 Suppo? Sen/ices Illiteracy 0 Health 0 Education 0 0 Physical Exam 0 Parental are Unemployment 0 Health 0 Education 0 0 Physical Exam 0 Parental are Delinquency 0 Health 0 Education 0 Immunity 0 Physical Exam 0 Parental Care

WHAT PARENTS CAN DO - Know your friends - Serve as a school, youth group and/or community volunteer - Communicate regularly with teachers - Participate in parenting and awareness workshops - Encourage positive habits - Be a good role model - Encourage hobbies and positive interests - Listen, praise, spend time, and encourage your child(ren) - Use school, community, and police resources when in need - Be an active listener - Spend quality time with your child(ren) - Be aware of gang activity in your commrmity - Attend Precinct Council Meetings - Attend the following workshops facilitated by GPIU: 0 Gang Prevention Internet Safety Bullying Safety Street Smart Parent Involvement is the most effective way to keep our children safe. Get involved, join the PTA. COMMUNITY BASED INTERVENTION STRAGETIES Develop a Proactive Integrated Safety Networking Team 0 Engage parents young people in public safety training 0 Foster Partnerships with Local Law enforcement on safety initiatives 0 Involve the Business Community/ Stakeholders alike 0 Create a Faith based working alliance on safety initiatives 0 Engage Community Leaders on safety initiatives 0 Develop a Graf?ti Removal Program with the local Precinct 0 Establish Safe Passage/ Safe Haven programs 0 Train Peer Mediators and Support Group Specialists 0 Establish Peace agreements between rival groups (gangs) Community Based Suppo? Services 0 Provide Recreational/Cultural Arts/Technical Programs 0 Offer Victims and Family Support Services 0 Provide Mental Health Assistance 0 Establish Gender Speci?c Activities 0 Extend Lesbian Gay Bi-sexual Transgender (LGBT) Support Services 0 Develop Mentoring Program for both males and females 0 Create Public Private Job Development Training Initiative 0 Provide Educational Alternatives Programs

Implement Re-Entry Transition Services Establish Crisis Management Support Groups Provide Extended Day Programs for young people between the hours of 3:00 pm. 8:30 pm. and also on weekends