a discussion about the presence, prevalence and influence of gangs in public schools DO YOU KNOW THE SIGNS? KEEPING YOUR SCHOOL SAFE FROM THE INSIDE OUT 2013 Dropout Prevention Conference Mississippi Department of Education Office of Dropout Prevention Wednesday, August 28, :15 pm – 2.:15 pm Presented by: Millicent D. West West and Associates, LLC

 Gangs are present in many schools in the United States. The National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XV: Teens and Parents, released in August 2010 by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse reported the following:  45% of high school students say that there are gangs of students who consider themselves to be a part of a gang in their schools.  35% percent of middle-school students say that there are gangs or students who consider themselves to be part of a gang in their schools.  Gang members do not leave their conflicts, attitudes and behaviors outside the school doors. Some of the most dangerous gang activities in any community may take place in and around local schools. THE PROBLEM NCASA at Columbia University, 2010

 Many schools have operated like islands in the larger community, with school administrators and staff believing that they are immune to community problems and deny that there is a gang presence in their schools.  5% of principals reported the presence of gangs in their schools  36% reported the presence of gangs in the immediate community  For many school administrators, public admission that the school has a population of gang members might seem like a failure to properly control the school climate. Failing to adequately address gang problems can lead to increased risk of victimization in the school setting for both students and staff members. GANGS? NOT AT MY SCHOOL! Arciaga, Sakamoto & Jones, 2010)

Gangs can be found in schools for many reasons, but the primary attraction is their ability to respond to student needs not currently being met. Four crucial factors in the formation of gangs:  Youth experiencing a sense of alienation and powerlessness because of a lack of traditional support structures such as family AND school.  Gang membership gives youth a sense of power and control.  Members believe that they are receiving the “benefits” of membership.  Recruitment of new members and expansion of territory are essential if a gang is to remain strong and powerful GANGS? WHY MY SCHOOL?

Conducting a comprehensive assessment of gang activity in and around the school is a critical piece of responding effectively to gangs. The assessment should consider:  Local Demographics – What does the local community look like and has this changed over time?  Crime and Law Enforcement Data – Law enforcement data can help to determine the level and extent of gang crime in the local community.  Student and Staff Perceptions – What do school personnel and students think about gang activity in and around the school? What gang behaviors are observed?  Resources – What programs, staff, funding and resources are available to address gang problems in and around the school ASSESSING SCHOOL GANG PROBLEMS

STATISTICS Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment

Depending on the specific gang activity in a school or community gang identifiers MAY include:  Tagging/Grafitti  Unusual signs, symbols or writing on walls, notebooks, lockers, etc  “Colors”  Obvious or subtle colors of clothing, a particular clothing brand, jewelry, or haircuts  Tattoos  Symbols on arms, chest, or elsewhere on the body  “Lit” (gang literature)  Gang signs, symbols, poems, prayers, procedures in notebooks or other documents  Initiations  Suspicious bruises, wounds or injuries  Hand signs  Unusual hand signals or handshakes  Behavior  Sudden changes in behavior or secret meetings  Acquiring new friends  Disengaging from family RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS

The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that there are over 33,000 active gangs in the United States. Do you recognize any of these? Can any be found in the communities that you serve? BloodsYoung Money CripsYoung Squad Mafia Latin KingsDem Franchize Boyz Black DisciplesGangster Disciples Folk Nation (“Folks”)Surenos 13 People Nation (“Peoples”)Lady Hit Squad War LordsImperial Gangsters MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha)Vice Lords Sex Money MurdaAK 81 Aryan BrotherhoodYakuza NortenosJamaican Posse DO YOU KNOW THEIR NAMES?

TAKE YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE SAND…and after you do that:  Gain Knowledge – Work to understand the dynamics  Educate and Inform School Staff Members  Provide Information and Support to Parents  Offer Direct Help and Resources  Advocate  Collaborate and Network with Community Resources  Partner With Law Enforcement “In the 1970’s less than half the state reported gang problems. By the turn of the 21 st century, however, every state and the District of Columbia were facing this challenge” -Slowikowski, 2010 WHAT CAN I DO?

CONTACT INFORMATION Millicent D. West, President Washington, DC | Dallas. TX THANK YOU!