Announcements
What Can You Do?
Gangs thrive on ignorance and apathy. Keeping them out of a community takes cooperation and a willingness to say, "This will not happen here."
- Community Awareness...all members of the community should be educated and aware of what gang activity looks like, and what to do if they witness it. Local law enforcement agencies can provide excellent workshops for a variety of groups.
- Community Action...businesses, schools, government, and citizens need to pool their energy and resources to meet the community's needs. Working together, the problem will seem less intimidating.
- Supervised Activities...give kids a place to go after school. Staff activities with responsible adults who work with kids on homework, in games, in arts and crafts, etc. Children tend to get into much less trouble when there are adults around and watching.
- Resistance Skills Training...teach children the skills they need to resist negative influences in their lives. DARE, GREAT, and other structured programs are a good step in this direction. Children also need to be taught how to make good decisions, and to take responsibility for their behavior.
- Community Service Programs...get kids involved in giving back to the community. If they are responsible for cleaning things up, they will be less likely to mess them up later. Teach children the value of providing service to others, and model your commitment to the neighborhood whenever they are present.
- Graffiti Removal Program...work with local agencies to develop a consistent approach to graffiti. If it is removed promptly, that sends a message of "zero tolerance," and gangs will know they are not welcome.
