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1. What is a considered a gang?

Criminal street gangs consist of three or more people, with a common name, sign, or symbol that form an allegiance for a common purpose and engage in specific criminal activity as defined in the penal code. 

Many street gangs are formed according to ethnic or racial lines. For example; 

• Black  - Bloods and Crips
• Hispanic - Norteno and Sureno
• White - white supremacists, white pride, etc.

2. How do gangs function?

Fear and respect are synonymous in the gang culture. Gang members demand respect by attempting to intimidate rival gang members as well as the public. Gang members also work in conjunction with each other to commit crimes such as:

• Assaults
• Burglaries
• Car thefts
• Drug sales

These crimes benefit the gang as a whole by generating money and establishing their reputation.

3. What are factors contributing to gang affiliation?

Factors that may contribute to gang affiliation include:

• Association with others with similar social or personal problems
• Display of low self-esteem
• Evidence of parental abuse or neglect
• Experimentation with drugs or alcohol
• History of family gang involvement
• Ineffective parenting
• Poor academic achievement and early anti-social behavior

4. What are signs of gang involvement?

Signs of gang involvement may include:

• Change in behavior
• Change in clothing (wearing specific colors like red or blue)
• Change of friends
• Decline in grades
• Drug or alcohol use
• Gang graffiti in their bedroom or on their school work
• Having large sums of money or new expensive items
• Having photos showing gang names, slogans, or activities
• New gang tattoos
• Running away from home
• Staying out late
• Truancy
• Using hand signals to communicate with friends

These are some things to look for. They do not guarantee gange involvement.

5. What are steps parents can take to discourage gang activity?

To discourage gang activity, parents can take the following steps:

• Be and informed and involved parent
• Develop and maintain good communication with your child
• Do not allow your child to wear gang-style clothing or colors
• Do not allow your child to write gang names or slogans
• Know your child’s friends
• Learn about local gang activity
• Prevent your child from associating with known or suspected gang members
• Spend time with your child
• Supervise your child’s free time
• Teach your child respect for others

6. Where can people find more information about gangs or gang-related crimes?

Use the following resources to find more information about gangs and related crimes:

• The Federal Gang Violence Act
• G.R.E.A.T.
• Lodi Area Crimestoppers
• School Resource Officers
  Phone: 209-333-6732
• San Joaquin County Probation
• Special Investigations Unit
  Phone: 209-333-6732