1. Gangs By: Brandon, Caitlyn, Katy, Tom

2. Teen Gangs Most gangs are a loosely organized group of individuals who control a territory.Most gangs are a loosely organized group of individuals who control a territory. A significant portion of gang violence stems from fighting over territory, which may be used to distribute drugsA significant portion of gang violence stems from fighting over territory, which may be used to distribute drugs gangs tend to denote members through a sign or colorgangs tend to denote members through a sign or color Gangs often prey on the teenagers who wish to fit inGangs often prey on the teenagers who wish to fit in This infrastructure can fill a void in a young person's life quickly and easily because they immediately gain friends who would die for themThis infrastructure can fill a void in a young person's life quickly and easily because they immediately gain friends who would die for them Violence and gang activity peaked in 1996, but has decreased overall since thenViolence and gang activity peaked in 1996, but has decreased overall since then

3. Schools Educate parents about what signs to look for. Offer the students lots of after school activities. Take an interest in an at-risk child. Offer sessions on resume and cover letter creation, mock interviews, job training and the opportunity for job shadowing in the career area of each high school student's choice. Provide conflict resolution and peer mediation programs to students. Offer violence prevention counseling that assists youth in coping with their frustration and hostility during times of crisis Institute student anti-gang education and prevention programs Train school personnel and parents in gang identification, intervention, and prevention techniques

4. SLDKASL WOMEN IN GANGS PLAY MANY ROLES: IN ORDER TO GET INTO A GANG, WOMEN ARE “SEXED” IN. THEY MUST HAVE SEX WITH MANY MALE MEMBERS IN THE GANGS, INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE HIV POSITIVE. IF NOT VOLUNTARY, THEY ARE JUST RAPED. WOMEN ARE A SIGN OF STATUS MANY WOMEN ARE “CLOSING THEIR LEGS TO SEX” IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET THEIR SIGNIFIGANT OTHER TO STOP ALL THE VIOLENCE CRIME RATE FOR WOMEN HAS INCREASED. GIRLS GANGS ARE BEING MORE COMMON, BECAUSE WOMEN ARE TIRED OF BEING LOW IN THE GROUP.

5. Parental Involvement COMMUNICATION – Children speaking freely with their parents allows a parent to gain a better sense of their child’s life and any sense of entwined gang related issues. FRIENDS – Meeting a child’s friends allows a parent the opportunity to witness how peers affect their child and the types of peers their child spends time with. FREE TIME – Responsibilities to occupy extraneous free time can provide a child with an introspective and maturing experience, as well as keep them away from gang influences. COMMUNITY – Awareness of the impact on your local community by gangs is essential for preparing a child for dealing with this entity. EDUCATION – Take an active role in your child’s education by visiting the school and attending any sort of open house or meeting.

6. Girlfriend Me: Were you dating Danny before he joined the gang? Girlfriend: Yes we were dating for about 2 years prior to when Danny joined the gang. Me: Was there any significant differences to the way Danny acted before the Gang and from when he was in the gang? Girlfriend: There was a significant difference in Danny’s attitude and his character. Before Danny got into the gang life I thought that I was the world to him because he would always treat me to dinners and random gifts that I was not expecting. When Danny joined the gang he didn’t have enough time for me anymore. He always had to run errands for the gang leaders and I was in the distant past. How did Danny get involved with the gang life? Well Danny was never the most popular student at school and my friends would always hassle me about dating him. It eventually got to him and he would change over time, gradually becoming more distant. Danny was the nicest boy and would never hurt a fly, but when he got involved with those other boys, he totally changed and felt like he was more important and was a somebody. How was the loss of Danny on you? I loved Danny more than anything and I thought that I was going to Marry him. When he joined the gang, it changed him and I knew that I had lost him forever. It has changed a lot of people’s lives, his mothers and family and mine as well.