1. Greene County JCPC Gang Identification and Prevention Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention-Center for the Prevention of School Violence

2. Perceptions of Youth Gangs 1. Most street gang members are juveniles. False - The 2001 National Youth Gang Survey reported that 67% of gang members identified by law enforcement were ages 18 or older. *National Youth Gang Center, www.iir.com/nygc. NC DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence

3. Perceptions of Youth Gangs 2. Most youth gang members are members for 1 year or less. True - In areas with emerging gang problems, most youth report being in the gang for 1 year or less. *National Youth Gang Center, www.iir.com/nygc. NC DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence

4. Perceptions of Youth Gangs 3. Over one-half million gang members have been identified by police in U.S. cities. True - NYGC researchers estimate that approximately 760,000 gang members in 24,000 gangs were active in the U.S. in 2004. *National Youth Gang Center, www.iir.com/nygc. NC DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence

5. Perceptions of Youth Gangs 4. With few exceptions, youth gang problems are an inner-city problem. False - In the past few decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the growth of gang problems in rural and suburban areas, and small cities. *National Youth Gang Center, www.iir.com/nygc. NC DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence

6. Perceptions of Youth Gangs 5. Once gangs emerge in small towns and rural counties, they usually remain. False – Smaller cities and suburban and rural counties tend to report variable gang problems. *National Youth Gang Center, www.iir.com/nygc. NC DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence

7. Perceptions of Youth Gangs 6. Gang members migrate to other communities primarily to establish drug markets. False – The most common reasons for migration are social considerations, such as family relocation, and to be near relatives and friends. *National Youth Gang Center, www.iir.com/nygc. NC DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence

8. Perceptions of Youth Gangs 7. Most youth gangs are highly organized. False – Most street gangs are only loosely structured, with transient leadership, and membership, easily transcended codes of loyalty, and informal roles for membership. *National Youth Gang Center, www.iir.com/nygc. NC DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence

9. Perceptions of Youth Gangs 8. Most youth gang members say they were forced to join a gang. False – The two most common reasons youth join gangs are social reasons and protection. *National Youth Gang Center, www.iir.com/nygc. NC DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence

10. Perceptions of Youth Gangs 9. Youth gangs are heavily involved in both selling and operating drug distribution organizations. False – Most drug distribution systems are managed by adult drug cartels or syndicates, traditional narcotic operatives, and by other adult criminal organizations. *National Youth Gang Center, www.iir.com/nygc. NC DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence

11. Perceptions of Youth Gangs 10. FBI definitions of a gang, gang member, and gang crime have been adopted by police departments nationwide. False – There is no single, accepted nationwide definition of youth gangs. Definitions are varied within and across geographical areas. *National Youth Gang Center, www.iir.com/nygc. NC DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence

12. Perceptions of Youth Gangs 11. In areas that have first experienced gang problems in recent years, the largest proportion of gang members is Caucasian. True – The newest gang problem areas (emergence within last 10 years) report having a larger proportion of white gang members. *National Youth Gang Center, www.iir.com/nygc. NC DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence

13. Perceptions of Youth Gangs 12. Most former gang members say they experienced serious physical consequences from their gang when they decided to quit. False – Studies show former gang members, especially marginal and short-term members, left without complication or any serious consequences. *National Youth Gang Center, www.iir.com/nygc. NC DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence

14. Perceptions of Youth Gangs 13. Educating youth on the consequences of gang involvement is an effective way to combat gang involvement. True – Early prevention works. *National Youth Gang Center, www.iir.com/nygc. NC DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence

15. Gang Resources National Youth Gang Center (NYGC): 1. Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Gangs. http://www.iir.com/nygc/faq.htm 2. National Youth Gang Survey Analyses http://www.iir.com/nygc/nygsa NC DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence

16. Gangs-National Stat DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence The percentage of students reporting the presence of gangs at school increased from 21 to 24 percent between 2003 and 2005. Indicators of School Crime and Safety, 2006 http://nces.ed.gov/programs/crimeindicators/ind_08.asp

17. District 8 Gang Surveys Survey Methodology §6 th, 8 th, 10 th, and 12 th graders in Greene, Lenoir, and Wayne Counties §Administered in November 2006 §786 surveys completed §Survey questions were from the Natl. Youth Gang Center; Community Guide DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence

18. Greene County Gang Surveys DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence 96 Surveys Completed 51 Females (53.1%) and 40 Males (41.7%) 5 students did not answer gender question (5.2%) Grade Level# Students (%) 6 th 25 (26%) 8 th 25 (26%) 10 th 23 (24%) 12 th 23 (24%) Did not answer grade question 0 (0%)

19. Greene County Gang Surveys DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence Primary/Biological Caregiver Living Arrangements of Students that Self-Reported Ever Being a Gang Member Arrangement% Sample% Gang Members Mother Only32.3% (31) 25.0% (3) Mother and Stepfather 8.3% (8) 16.7% (2) Father Only 3.1% (3) 0% (0) Father and Stepmother 4.2% (4) 0% (0) Mother and Father (nuclear)44.8% (43) 33.3% (4) Grandparent(s) only 1% (1) 0% (0) Aunt 2.1% (2) 8.3% (1) Other Guardians 4.2% (4) 16.7% (2) Total Students9612

20. Greene County Gang Surveys DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence Average Grades Earned- Average Grades of Self-Reported Total Sample (n=91)Gang Members (n=10) Mostly F’s (3.1%)Mostly F’s (10%) Mostly D’s (4.2%)Mostly D’s (0%) Mostly C’s (28.1%)Mostly C’s (40%) Mostly B’s (36.5%)Mostly B’s (20%) Mostly A’s (22.9%)Mostly A’s (30%) * 5 students (5.2%) did not answer this question*2 self-reported gang members did not answer ques.

21. Greene County Gang Surveys DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence Relationship Between Self-Reporting Ever Being a Gang Member and Suspension from School, in the past 12 months N=12 (who answered this question) # Suspensions# Students, (%) Zero 7 (58.3%) 1 or 2 times 1 (8.3%) More than 2 times 4 (33.3%)

22. Greene County Gang Surveys Are there gangs at your school? (students, %) DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence

23. Greene County Gang Surveys How often have gangs been involved in fights, attacks, or violence at your school in the past 6 months? (students, %) DJJDP - Center for the Prevention of School Violence Response# Students, (%) No Answer 21 (21.9%) Never 21 (21.9%) Once or twice a month 19 (19.8%) Once or twice a week 0 (0%) Almost every day 3 (3.1%) Don’t know 32 (33.3%)