You should be concerned if your child:

• Admits to gang involvement;
• Is obsessed with one particular color of clothing or shows a desire for a particular logo over and over;
• Wears sagging pants (this in and of itself is not indicative of gang activity);
• Wears excessive jewelry with distinctive designs and may wear it only on either the right or left side of the body;
• Is obsessed with gangster-influenced music, videos and movies to the point of imitation;
• Withdraws from family with an accompanying change in demeanor;
• Associates with undesirables and breaks parental rules consistently;
• Develops an unusual desire for privacy and secrecy and may completely rearrange living quarters to create more privacy;
• Uses hand signs while with friends and practices them at home;

Or there is evidence or the appearance of:

• Physical injury (such as being beaten) and then child lies about the events surrounding the injury;
• Peculiar drawings or language on school books (may appear later as tattoos or brands);
• Unexplained cash or goods, i.e., clothing and jewelry; or &
• Possible use of alcohol and drugs with attitude change.

Advise Your Children They Should Not:

• Associate with gang members or "wannabe/gonnabe" gang members;
• Identify or communicate with gangs;
• Hang out near or where gangs congregate;
• Wear gang-related clothing where gangs are known to gather or traverse;
• Attend any party or social event sponsored by gangs or their associates;
• Take part in any vandalism or graffiti activity.
• The responces to the immediate questions below can help you tell if a kid is in a gang and what to do about it

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