| Even if you live in a neighborhood you've always | | | | and even crime-free. To be accepted into a gang, |
| considered to be relatively safe, it's impossible to | | | | criminal activities ranging from robbery and car theft |
| escape news stories of rising violence among youths | | | | to assault and even murder may be required by the |
| who have gotten involved with street gangs. The | | | | gang. |
| truth is, gang violence has grown into a threat that | | | | If such gang activity has been spotted in your |
| cannot be ignored. No matter where you live in the | | | | community, it is important to be proactive. Gang |
| country, violence from gangs has the potential to | | | | activity demands that you take action to protect |
| affect your everyday life and your personal security. | | | | yourself and your loved ones. A common |
| Across the country, countless communities are | | | | misconception about protecting your home from |
| dealing with gang-related violence and crime. Gangs | | | | street gangs is that it can't be done. There are |
| are groups of adolescents and young adults who | | | | actually many affordable ways to deter violence in |
| stake out an area (known as their 'turf') where they | | | | your neighborhood, from installing adequate outdoor |
| will make money through drug sales and other illegal | | | | lighting to removing disabled cars, overgrown bushes, |
| means. | | | | and other hiding spots. |
| A gang will often try to recruit younger members | | | | In addition to increasing your home security, you can |
| from the local schools. If you have children, it is | | | | also contact the local police for advice on dealing with |
| important to teach them about these groups and | | | | gangs. They can help you form a neighborhood crime |
| how to avoid them. Studies have shown that | | | | watch, which is a group of neighbors who agree to |
| children, particularly in urban areas, are susceptible to | | | | keep an eye on activities in their community and |
| the peer pressure to join a gang. Young people are | | | | report any suspicious behavior to the police. The |
| drawn into gangs because they lack direction and | | | | neighborhood watch should hold regular meetings to |
| mentorship, or they are attracted to the allure of | | | | discuss ways to improve community safety. |
| friends, drugs, or alcohol. Most have no idea of the | | | | There have recently been stories in the news of |
| far-reaching consequences of gang involvement. | | | | unsuspecting people, doing nothing wrong, attacked |
| According to one statistic, belonging to a gang makes | | | | by a gang while walking home from school or work. |
| one 60% more likely to become a murder victim. | | | | Unpredictable threats and mindless hostility can make |
| Often, gang evidence is found in colors or tattoos | | | | anyone wonder what they can do to protect |
| used to mark a member of the gang. Many gangs will | | | | themselves while out alone, especially after dark. This |
| also 'tag' their turf with graffiti. For homeowners, this | | | | is a tough question, and it's one reason why more |
| is often the first sign that a gang has moved in to | | | | and more people are choosing to carry personal |
| the neighborhood. If you've ever had your fence | | | | alarms, pepper sprays, stun guns, and other self |
| tagged, then you know just how aggravating it can | | | | defense devices to fight back against violence |
| be. Even more troubling is the flow of guns and drugs | | | | perpetrated by gangs or other criminals. |
| into neighborhoods that were once quiet, peaceful, | | | | |