Gangs

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Gangs
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Gangs

• Group, organization, association
• Three or more individuals
• Common purpose in criminal activity, either
  collectively or individually

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Gangs

• Typically have paramilitary structure,
  hierarchies of leadership
• May split into sets
• Heavy emphasis on recruiting new members
• Numbers Safety

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Gangs

• Members can be as young as 9 or 12 (peewees,
  wannabees)
• Most are recruited in junior high--ages 13 or 14
• Typical gang member is 14 to 20 (gangbangers)
• Leaders are usually 18 to 20 with a few up to 24
  or 25 (hardcores)
• Entire families may be members with three
  generations represented

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Gang Mindset

• Three basic fears
• Poverty
• Not fitting in
• Disrespect (Being dissed)

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Gang Mindset

• The Code of Honor
• If you let yourself be disrespected, youve let
  the gang be disrespected, and you will face the
  consequences!

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The Gang Mindset

• The Three Rs
• Reputation (Rep)
• Respect
• Retaliation/Revenge

No Challenge Goes Unanswered!
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Gang Characteristics

• Clothing
• Tattoos
• Hand signs
• Graffiti

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Handling Gang Members

• EMS usually is perceived as neutral
• Uniforms should look as different from law
  enforcement as possible
• Avoid questions that can be perceived as
  interrogation about specifics of a crime
• Demonstrate respect at all times, including when
  youre not on calls

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Handling Gang Members

• Know whose turf youre on
• Reluctant, tough behavior by patients may be
  posturing for other members
• Explain what youre doing and why
• Treat possessions as extensions of persons
• Use gang leaders to help you control situations

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Handling Gang Members

• Pay attention to the crowd
• Minimize time on scene
• Know when to leave!

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Gang DONTS

• Dont approach if multiple gangs present
• Dont assume you are welcome
• Dont separate patient until ready to leave
• Dont treat gang members in the open
• Dont cut colors, especially in public
• Dont treat gang members like children

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Graffiti

• Gang name Gang turf (usually)
• Multiple gang names Shared territory

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Graffiti

• Gang names written over, crossed out Challenge
  or war

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Graffiti

• Black graffiti
• Crude
• Lacks detail
• Often offensive

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Graffiti

• Latino graffiti
• Colorful
• Artistically creative
• Indicates cohesiveness
• Identifies gang, territory
• Used to communicate with other gangs

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Graffiti

• White graffiti
• Frequently includes slurs against minorities,
  homosexuals
• Often contains names of Punk or Heavy Metal
  groups
• Satanic, devil worship, Nazi symbols
• Generally does not mark territory