Respect and Manners Academy for Teens
Respect, Manners, Attitude and Relationships Workshop for Teens
Saturday, 1/16/10, El Paso, TX
Register for our Saturday
Respect and Manners Academy for Teens
Respect, Manners, Attitude and Relationships Workshop for Teens
Saturday, 1/16/10, El Paso, TX
SIGNS THAT YOUR CHILD MAY BE INVOLVED IN A
HISPANIC YOUTH GANG
(Southwestern US, El Paso, TX - Southern New Mexico)
The Hispanic gang member is often a walking billboard of messages -- from the way that he may swag (walk), the color and brand of clothing he might wear, what he whistles or says, accessories such as rosaries and chains, the way an eyebrow may be cut, the tattoos and bandanas he might display, and the style and color of lettering on his belongings and display of specific numbers. Even the kind of music he might listen to might be a clue as to his gang affiliation. In many gangs just about everything about the gang member is a message of one sort or another.
Below are examples of traditional Southwestern United States gang-related clothing. [New types of gangs (Party Crews, Rebel Crews, for example) are becoming more common now, and their styles of dress vary widely from what is displayed here.)
Gang emblem, bandana and rosary photos courtesy of Joe Espinoza, STEP Academy, Laredo, TX
specific types of clothing brands and types (for classic gang-affiliated involvement): Dickies pants; Nike Cortez shoes; military belts with Old-English buckle lettering; Caramelo shirts; Pendleton shirts; Solo Brand clothing; Lokes sunglasses; bandanas in the coiors yellow, red, blue, black, grey or white are often indicative of gang affiliation/involvement
(Specific clothing brand preferences vary by region.)
preference for clothing and graffiti lettering of a blue color may signify an affiliation with a Sureno or CRIP gang or set
Norteno gangs typically utilize the number 14 and may incorporate a symbol of an indian bird symbolizing "La Raza" 
preference for clothing and graffiti lettering of a red color may signify an affiliation with a Norteno or Blood gang or set
Please also see Placazos/Hand Signs and Tattoos sections of Operation No Gangs website for additional pictures and indicators
What is a gang?
gang, n. [Old Eng. * gangan, to go]
Any ongoing organization, association, or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, that:
1) Has as one of its primary activities the commission of one or more felony offenses, or delinquent acts that would be felonies if committed by an adult;
2) Has three or more members individually or collectively engaged in, or who have engaged in, criminal street gang activity, and
3) May have a common name, common identifying sign or symbol.
-Definition of "gang" used in the N.C. Street Gang Suppression Act, enacted by the General Assembly in July 2008.
Many schools and community groups consider gang members those associates who have a common name or identifying sign or symbol and who may not necessarily be engaged in criminal or delinquent activity. The concern for schools and communities is that the gangs pose a threat as a group, are viewed by others as a potentially dangerous "unit." Because of their separateness from the group some groups of all males or females -- distinct from sororities or fraternities, for example -- as a whole stand out as "deliberate outsiders" with a common negative cause or belief system. Often administrators, staff and students have identified these individuals as troublemakers, bullies, or those who engage in activities which are considered menacing to the student body as a whole, and/or contrary to the school code of conduct.
Signs of possible Hispanic youth gang involvement:
associates with friends his age and older who wear gang attire and have customs and engage in activities typical of gang membership
frequent involvement in negative or anti-social behavior at school, neighborhood with "set" of friends
a sudden pronounced resistance to control by parents
a dramatic drop in grades and acceptable school performance, cooperation
secrecy about social activities, excessive concern about phone use privacy
gang marking on books, walls, possessions such as the single letters (especially in Old English or Gothic font) M, N, L, V, K; and the numbers 13, 14, 505, 915, 213, 420 (a universally adopted code for marijuana) and 18; penchant for red (Norteno, Blood), blue (Sureno, CRIP), black (common to many gangs, usually in combination with another standout color) or yellow (Latin King), for example.
the frequent use of clothing and possessions that are either red (Norteno and Blood preference), blue (Sureno or CRIP preference) or yellow (Latin King preference) in color; often in combination with color black (common to many gangs)
specific types of clothing brands and types (for classic gang-affiliated involvement): Dickies pants; Nike Cortez shoes; military belts with Old-English buckle lettering; Caramelo shirts; Pendleton shirts; Solo Brand clothing; Lokes sunglasses; bandanas in the coiors yellow, red, blue, black, grey or white
a pet name that is assigned to the child (i.e. "Vago", "ShyBoy", "Bullet", "Silent", "Serio") by his friends (often seen in the child's books or in other places where the child might reference his name (cell phone screen greeting or text message signature line)
a sustained fascination with certain types of Cholo/Hispanic Rap and gangsta rap music (specific artists; "rancholo" style, "chucoton", as examples)
inordinate time spent on the computer, especially on sites such as MySpace, Photobucket, FaceBook, Friendster, SoundClick, CDBaby, FightZilla
tattooed markings of dots, specific letters, numbers, icons and phrases
unsual hand signals "flashed" with friends or to rivals, unknowns
Girls are often introduced to gang life by a boyfriend. While they may not be actual members, their association with gang members identifies them as such to law enforcement. A "chola" look is often adopted by Southwestern United States girl gang affiliates. The look may include exaggerated painting of the eyebrows, thick dark lipstick (often black) and eyeshadow and earrings with an exaggeratedly large hoop. Hairstyles for girls may include a "wall" "do." Many gang affiliate girls in El Paso, New Mexico and Southern California prefer to wear Dickies pants in dark colors as well as Nike Cortez tennis shoes.
Younger siblings of gang member youth often view their older counterparts in fascination and learn to take a decided liking to gang culture. They may often begin imitating the dress style of their older sibling, begin to talk like him or her, and may place "pretend" gang-related tattoos on their body with pen ink. Too, they may begin to take a liking to gangster rap. An admirer may also begin to draw gang-style art, designs and lettering.
One or two of these signs alone may not be a true indication. When parents and educators see that a child can be described by three or more there is real reason for concern about possible involvement. It should be added that many young people want to appear involved for various reasons. But a "wanna-be" or a "potential" gang member can run as much danger as an actual validated gang member. Styles and preferences vary by region.
Let us know if you are interested in a presentation to your school, church, business or community group on topics related to the Hispanic Youth Gang Culture.
You may request a print-out of this text information emailed in .PDF format or by return fax
Is your child a prime candidate for gang affiliation?: A Profile
What can parents do to curb and prevent gang affiliation?
http://www.dopespace.com/profile
The significance of numbers, letters, hand signs, graffiti (placazos) in the Hispanic youth gang culture
The significance of tattoos in the Hispanic youth culture
Gang members and the use of the internet: Netbanging, text flaming, rap dissing
Is your child a prime candidate for gang affiliation?: A Profile
Daniel Novick/KVIA TV reports: Gang vs.Culture Clothing Video 8/7/07
Simple things parents can do to prevent their child's gang affiliation
Middle Schoolers and gang harassment, activities: (El Paso: Student's death stirs fears of gang activities), Daniel Borunda, El Paso Times, 11/20/05 (posted on forums.streetgangs.com)
New Mexico DPS Gang and Terrorism Task Force: Gang Characteristics
Operation Gang Prevention (915) 239-1997 Texas
No
Gangs
Gang Awareness
Intervention
Advocacy
New Mexico
Chihuahua, MX
Copyright 2007
Interested in a presentation to your business, church, civic group or classroom? List of Gang/Drug Awareness Presentation topics
