JMST: Juvenile Gang Awareness

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JMST Juvenile Gang Awareness
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The only gang expert is a gang member.
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• State the definition of a gang according to North
  Carolina law.
• Identify and discuss the gangs in your region
  with whom your agency may interface.
• Discuss effective communication and prevention
  techniques with gang members.

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North Carolinas Definition of a Gang

• a criminal street gang means any ongoing
  organization, association, or group of three or
  more persons, whether formal or informal, having
  one of its primary activities as the commission
  of a felony or violent misdemeanor offenses or
  delinquent acts that would be felonies or violent
  misdemeanors if committed by an adult, and having
  a common name or common identifying sign, colors
  or symbols

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Elements of the NC Definition
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True Statements About Gangs and Gang Members

• Some gangs defend certain physical turf, other
  gangs are not interested in defending turf.

• Gangs are usually well armed.

• Nationally, the majority of street gang members
  are adults. Nationally, juveniles represent about
  25 of the population. The age group of 14 to 24
  represents 55 of the gang population.

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True Statements About Gangs and Gang Members

• Females represent 10 of the population
  nationally.

• Locking up gang members, especially the young
  ones, is like sending them to criminal college.

• Some gangs are integrated as to race and ethnic
  background.

• Gangs are a problem for everyone.

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True Statements About Gangs and Gang Members

• Juveniles join gangs in order to give themselves
  a sense of family.

• Juveniles join gangs because of the lure of the
  fantasy lifestyle.

• Some individuals join gangs because of anger and
  rebellion against society.

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Categories of Gangs in North Carolina

• Traditional
• Non traditional
• Hybrid
• Hispanic
• Asian
• White supremacist
• Prison
• Outlaw motorcycle
• Criminal enterprise

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Level of Gang Involvement

• At Risk Level
• Associate Level
• Gang Member

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How do you find out about the gangs in your area?
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Insert Clip 1
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What do officers need to know when encountering
gang members?
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Insert Clip 2
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What techniques seem to work and not work when
talking with gang members?
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Insert Clip 3
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If a gang member wants to get out, what would you
say to them?
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Insert Clip 4
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If you are talking to an At Risk Level,
juvenile, what alternatives could you provide him
or his parents?
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Insert Clip 5
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• What do law enforcement officers in small towns
  and rural areas need to know?

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Clip 6
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• What additional information does law enforcement
  need to know about gangs and gang mentality?

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Clip 7
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• What activities do you need to observe in your
  community that would indicate the presence of
  gangs?

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Clip 8
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• How young are the juveniles who are involved with
  gangs?

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Clip 9
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• How do gang members work the judicial system?

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Clip 10
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• State the definition of a gang according to North
  Carolina law.
• Identify and discuss the gangs in your region
  with whom your agency may interface.
• Discuss effective communication and prevention
  techniques with gang members.