 Gang violence is violence amongst groups of people known as gangs.  It happens a lot in cities or highly populated areas.  Also, California is known for a lot of gang violence as people try to uphold certain levels of respect and demand it from other groups of people.

 The term ‘gang’ may differ to each person A Gang may be :  A ‘group of people’ who the break the law  A ‘crew’ who often carries guns, knives, or other weapons  A group who might hang around on streets, at parks, or shopping centres

 Many people confuse ‘gang’ with ‘groups’  As long as the ‘groups’ don’t break any laws or rules, the police wouldn’t call them exactly like a gang

 A gang is usually considered to be a group of people who spend time in publics that have: - caused harm to the community - involved in criminality - have previously broken the laws and rules - have a criminal record with the police

 The word violence come from the violent acts that the gang commits towards other gangs or the general public  These acts can include fighting or robberies, and even murders  Basically, violence is the term used to describe the unusual, or rule breaking, incidents

 Joining a gang is like entering enemy territory  Beatings and shootings happen all the time  Boys usually have to fight several other gang members at the same time.  New members may be required to prove themselves by beating up an innocent person, robbing a store, or shooting someone including drive-by shootings.  If you break the rules after joining a gang, your punishment may be death.

 Among the most common reasons are to - belong to a group - receive protection - earn money - end boredom and seek more excitement - be with friends and be more popular  For some it may be a family tradition

 Clothing - wear specific colours - wear baseball hats in the same way, like sideways, or roll up a pant leg - some may wear bandanas  Body markings - Tattoos : tattoos prove gang membership, others might show information like how many jail terms a gang member has served -Scars, like burn marks, are also a way of showing gang membership.  Hair - Hair might be shaved in some way to show that someone is in a gang.  - This includes shaving slashes in an eyebrow or the side of a head.

Clothing Tattoos Hair

 Gang signs Hand signals are used to show gang membership and to disrespect other gangs.  Tagging - Street graffiti can be used to show that a gang is “active” in a neighbourhood - Not all graffiti is gang graffiti. Gangs have special tags, or symbols.

Hand Signs Tagging: Graffiti

 Ask them to join a sports team or get involved in another group activity with you  Tell your friend how you feel. It’s okay to say that you’re worried or scared for them.  Don’t get involved in gang activities with your friend.  Tell your friend to talk to someone they trust. This person should not be a gang member.  Talk to a youth officer for help  Make an anonymous call to Kids Help Phone :

GANG

Retaliation, or payback, is a common reason given for group violence, but  if gangs keep retaliating, the violence will never stop  if you are involved, you may never feel safe again  If group violence is a problem in your life, there are people who can help and give you support.

 There are about 27,900 gangs in the U.S and about 774,000 gang members.  Gangs recruit children, young as 10 years old, and force them to do crimes because they know that kids who are under thirteen won't go to jail.  To join a gang many forced to pass an initiation which are usually very dangerous and could involve murdering someone, wining Russian Roulette, or getting beat up to enter the gang.  Gangs use graffiti to mark up there territory or challenge opposing gangs.

 Some gangs mark their bodies with tattoos with the name of the gang or symbol.  Many well known gangs like the Crisp, the Bloods, and the 18th street originated in Los Angeles.  There are many different types of gangs including ethnic gangs, which are gangs described by race  Gangs are the main drug distributes in the United States.