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1. What is a gang?

Virginia State Code § 18.2-46.1 "Criminal street gang" means any ongoing organization, association, or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, (i) which has as one of its primary objectives or activities the commission of one or more criminal activities; (ii) which has an identifiable name or identifying sign or symbol; and (iii) whose members individually or collectively have engaged in the commission of, attempt to commit, conspiracy to commit, or solicitation of two or more predicate criminal acts, at least one of which is an act of violence, provided such acts were not part of a common act or transaction.

Gangs may be organized on the basis of race, ethnicity, or geographical location.

2. Who belongs to gangs?

Gangs can affect anyone, regardless of age, where they live or what school they attend. Young people from all walks of life join gangs. Some gang members drop out of school, while others may be excellent students.

Research shows that the following factors are common indicators that a young person may be involved in gang activity:

• Youth admits to gang membership
• Is under 21 years of age and is identified as a gang member by a parent/guardian.
• Is identified as a gang member by a reliable source.
• Resides in or frequents a known gang area, uses a gang's hand signs, colors, or tattoos, and/or associates with known gang members.
• Has been arrested more then once with or in the company of known gang members for crimes that are consistent with gang activity.

3. Why do people join gangs?

A gang often meets needs that go unfulfilled in other areas of a young person's life. The gang may provide a sense of security, loyalty, structure and discipline that may be missing at home. The following is a list of reasons that may lead a young person to join a gang:

• Desire for excitement/machismo
• False representation that it is "cool" to be in a gang
• Feeling of belonging/being cared for
• Friendship/brotherhood
• Lack of alternatives in/out of school
• Lack of economic opportunity
• Lack of positive influence by/interaction with parents
• Media glorification of gang lifestyle
• Prestige/power
• Protection/peer intimidation
• Protection/security from gang violence
• Replacement or substitute family
• Self-respect/identity

4. How to identify gang members?

The following are some common indicators to look for if you suspect an individual may be involved in gang activity. These indicators are not a guarantee that an individual is involved in a gang. The only way to know for sure is by communicating.

• Changing hair or dress styles/having a group of friends with the same styles.
• Changing normal routines/not coming home after school/staying out late at night.
• Drawing graffiti.
• Drawings/homework with the letters "B" or "C" crossed-out, inverted or used improperly. Using gang hand signs.
• Frequent contact with police.
• Frequent disciplinary problems at home/school.
• Increased conflict at home.
• Large amount of unsupervised time.
• Not associating with long time friends/secretive about new friends/activities.
• Photographs with others displaying gang signs, weapons or gang-type clothing.
• Physical signs of being involved in fights/secrecy as to how injuries are received.
• Poor academic progress/skipping school/lack of interest in school activities.

5. How does one get out of a gang?

There are numerous resources available in Newport News to assist in getting out of a gang. Government and civic organizations have developed gang prevention and intervention programs to address the lures of the gangster lifestyle such as;

• Boys & Girls Club
• Faith Based Establishments
• Newport News Juvenile Services
• YWCA