Gang Awareness Guide Recognize Signs

Gang Awareness Guide

NJ OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL • JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMISSION

EVALUATE • EDUCATE • ELIMINATE

RecognizetheSigns

EVALUATE • EDUCATE • ELIMINATEEVALUATE • EDUCATE • ELIMINATE

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For more information, please contact a member of theJJC’s Gang Management Unit:1001 Spruce Street, Suite 202 • P.O. Box 107 • Trenton, NJ 08625-0107Telephone: (609) 341-3468 • Fax: (609) 943-4611

The New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) understandsthat gangs and gang related activities impact every community inour State. The JJC works with schools, community organizationsand other law enforcement agencies to combat juvenile streetgangs and help young people succeed.

The JJC has responded with a comprehensive program thataddresses youth gangs at all levels. With funding from the NJDepartment of Education, the JJC has developed a cutting-edgeeducation curriculum, entitled Phoenix, that corresponds with the NJCore Curriculum Standards.

This course can be tailored for youth in secure and residentialprograms, as well as county-operated detention centers andcommunity-based programs. The workbook-based lessonsprovide structure and support, and clearly identify the progressof participants. The most important goal of the curriculum isdeveloping self-efficacy skills, thereby allowing juveniles tounderstand how to react to risky situations, and to think throughtheir actions and responses to avoid future gang involvement.

To expand its reach, the JJC is forming partnerships withcommunities to train others in the Phoenix curriculum. The JJCis also coordinating with the county offices of probation, as well asthe police departments, to build a “safety net” of resources foryouth in the community.

Experienced JJC staff are available to conduct workshops.One-day training sessions can be adapted to meet an audience’sspecific needs and information level. It can also be expanded toprovide more in depth training.

www.njgangfree.org

RecognizetheSigns

Evaluate • Educate • Eliminate 3


Gang members communicate in many dif-ferent ways. Speech is the most obvious;however, gang members also make use ofnonverbal methods of exchanging thoughts.Graffiti, hand signs, colors, and tattoos areindicators of gang affiliation.

Gang members have their own language,which contains phrases, hand signs, tattoos,markings and graffiti. These often overlap.As a parent, you may not recognize themright away. The items listed as Identifiers inthis booklet include types of clothing youngpeople might wear, tattoos and other mark-ings. The items listed as Phrases are expres-sions young people might say to each otheror write on their school notebooks. As a par-ent, you should familiarize yourself withthem, so that you will be alert to them.

Street gangs are targeting young people atan earlier and earlier age. It is critical thatyou be able to recognize the signs of ganginvolvement. This booklet is designed tohelp parents, teachers, and community

members spot gang activity in their fami-lies, schools and communities. The pagesthat follow provide you with vivid descrip-tions that you can use to identify gang ac-tivity. If you spot any of these signs, thereare professionals available to help you.

Why do kids joingangs?Each case is individual, but some reasonsinclude:

Security, protection and a sense ofbelongingLack of family, community, or youthsupport system (too much unsupervisedtime)Sense of status or respectLiving in a gang infested community orhaving family members in a gangLow self-esteemFinancial opportunities (i.e. profitsfrom drug distribution and other illegalactivities)Peer pressureThrill seekingMedia glorifying violence

There are approximately 2,300 gang membersunder the age of 15 in New Jersey. Childrenas young as second and third grade haveknown gang affiliations. In fact, 46 percent ofgang-related incidents occur on school property.

blood phrasesBlatt Blatt

Greetings: “What dat red be like?” Refered to each other as dogs

DAMU = Brother/Blood DAMUETTE = Sister Bloodettes Ruby Red

Blood Love What’s popping?

bloodsOriginally from Los Angeles, the Bloods areone of the largest associations of street gangsin the United States. These extremely vio-lent and aggressive street gangs, referred toas sets, have adopted a common gang phi-losophy. Members use violence to protectand expand their drug distribution. The setsshare a comprehensive philosophy, ex-pressed in an oath, a prayer, a song, a motto,a concept of war, and 31 common rules in-cluding an Initiation, where a new membermust withstand 31 seconds of beating orsexual relations.

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blood identifiersColors red, black, brown and pinkB’s up ( ), C’s Down ( )MOB = Member of BloodsDog paws made up of three dotsCK Crip Killa031 / 021Red, black, brown or pink bandanasand wave caps

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RecognizetheSigns

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cripsOriginally from Los Angeles, the Crips arean organization of aggressive and brutalgang members who are heavily involved inthe drug trade. Throughout the 1980’s and1990’s the Crips developed intricate net-works and a respected reputation with othergangs across America. Crip gangs are wellestablished across the United States.

crips identifiersColors blue, gray, orange and purple6 Pointed Star of DavidC’s up ( ), B’s down ( )Blue, gray, orange or purple bandanasor wave capsCrip WalksB’s crossed out

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RecognizetheSigns

crips phrasesBK Blood Killa

Loc (Love only crips) C-Ya

Slobs (Derogatory Bloods) C’s Up Cuzz

What’s Crackalacking? Refer each other as cousins

BC



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latin kingsOriginally from Chicago, the Latin Kings areextremely violent and a well organized gang.The gang is active in New York, New Jerseyand Pennsylvania. Its main source of incomeis from the distribution of drugs and robbery.

latin kings identifiersColors black and gold3 or 5 pointed crownsEyebrows cut to form five pointsPittsburgh sports team apparelYellow and black bandanas, beadsor wave caps

latin kings phrasesKingism

Pee Wee King (for those under18) ADR Amor de rey (Love of the king)

360 whole, complete and unbreakable

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RecognizetheSigns



ñetaÑeta orignated in the prisions of Puerto Ricoand is an extremely violent gang. The groupwas formed to address prisoners’ rightsissues in the Puerto Rican prison system.In the United States, Ñeta chapters exist in-side and outside of prison.

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ñeta IdentifiersThe colors black, red, white and blueThe term 150%Tattoo with the numbers 1.50Depicting shackles and handcuffsBeadsBandanas

Association forthe Rights of

the IncarceratedÑETA

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ñeta phrasesDeCorazon

Primos Insectos



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ms 13Originating in Los Angeles, MS 13 is one ofthe most violent street gangs in the UnitedStates. Members smuggle and distributeillicit drugs and are extremely violent.

ms 13 identifiers Heavily tattooed Typical latin gang tattoos “Heavy Metal” tattoos Blue and black bandanas

La Mara SalvatruchaMS X3 • MS 13

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ms 13 phrases“La Mara” stands for Gangs

“Salva” stands for Salvadorian “Trucha” stands for “look out”

EME ESE stands for MS Locotes Cliques



Admits membershipChange of behavior ordefiant behaviorGrades drop/truancyNew “friends”Calls from unknown peopleUnexplained money and jewelrySlangObsession with certain colors andsports teams apparelFlashing signsGraffiti on books and wallsNicknames and street namesEvidence of drug abuse

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GeneralWarning Signs

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RecognizetheSigns

What can parents doto prevent their

children fromjoining a gang?

Develop open and frequentcommunication with your children.Encourage children to becomeinvolved in athletics and otherhealth-oriented activities for asense of belonging.Monitor/limit children’s exposureto violence contained in television,music, and video games.Cultivate respect for others’property and pride in community.Know who your children arespending time with.Don’t let children stay out late orspend a lot of time unsupervised inthe street.Become involved in your child’seducation and in your community.



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NJ Office of the Attorney GeneralJuvenile Justice Commission

Gang Management Unit

This Gang Awareness Guide is supported through funding under theFederal Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act,

provided by the New Jersey Department of Education.

www.njgangfree.org

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Gang Awareness Guide Recognize Signs