What are some of the warning signs of possible gang involvement?
Below are some of the warning signs of possible gang involvment. You should look for multiple signs to indicate possible gang involvement because some of these indicators alone, such as clothes or musical preferences, are also common among youth not invovled in gangs. • Admit’s to “hanging out” with kids in gangs • Shows an unusual interest in one or two particular colors of clothing or a particular logo • Has an unusual interest in gangster-influenced music, videos, movies or websites. • Uses unusual hand signals to communicate with friends • Has specific drawings or gang symbols on school books, clothes, walls or tattoos • Comes home with unexplained physical injuries (fighting-related bruises, injuries to hand/knuckles) • Has unexplained cash or goods, such as clothing or jewelry • Carries a weapon • Has been in trouble with the police • Withdrawal from family activities • Use of unknown vocabulary (gangs have many slang words) • Sudden change in friends • Staying out later than usu
