Is my child involved in a gang?

A combination of these warning signs may indicate possible gang involvement. 

• Live in high-risk neighborhood (unemployment, high homeless rate, strong ethnic community, few recreational facilities)
• Sudden change in friends
• Change of appearance (wearing gang clothing, unusual haircuts, tattoos, unusual eyebrow markings)
• Showing no interest in school (decline in grades, not active in other school related acitivities)
• Skipping school
• Disrespect toward authority, family, and school (resentful of authority, bad attitude)
• Frequent negative confrontations with the law
• Withdrawal from family activities
• Desire for excessive privacy
• Staying out later than usual (or staying out all night)
• Evidence of increased substance abuse
• Having unusually large amounts of money
• Identifying with martial arts
• Using unknown vocabulary, gang slang, speaking in fractured sentences, excessive swearing
• Using hand signals
• Using a new nickname
• Drawing graffiti symbols and names on books, folders, on bedroom walls
• Unusual pen marks, bruises, or burns on arms, hands, and body
• Asking for or stealing money
• Extravagant spending

If you have concerns that your child might be displaying pre-gang behavior, please contact the Juvenile Divison at 502.863.7826 for help.