RENO-SPARKS INDIAN COLONY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Gang violence has been widespread in the United States as well as around the world. Unfortunately, the problem has become constant. New gangs form while another gang dies out. The growth and population of gangs may vary since it is a localized issue. There are some facts known about how gangs are formed, the propensity of youth joining gangs, and the risk factors of drugs, violence, and crimes involving gangs in our community. By working together, we can assess the gang problem then enhance the intervention and prevention of gangs.

What are Street Gangs?

There is no nationally accepted definition. Most can agree on the following elements:

They are a group of three or more people. They share a common identifying sign, symbol, or name. Gang members individually or collectively engage in an ongoing pattern of violence, criminal or delinquent activities. People who join gangs are typically known to be at nationally average between 12 and 24 years old. They can be as young as 8 and as old as 35.

What are the common types of gangs?

Traditional gangs include Crips, Bloods, and MS-13. These gangs that have been around for generations. They have a strong foundations. Business gangs are purely formed for the purpose of making money by illegal means such as drugs and prostitution. Hate gangs usually target other people of different ethnicity, religion, gender, beliefs, or other groups for violence or by spreading hateful propagandas. Copy-cat gangs and delinquent Social gangs do not have a strong foundation. These two types of gangs may pop up one day and disappear the next. These two gangs are the easiest to address and prevent.

What causes youths to join gangs?

Gang member influences are common in communities including families, schools, and supportive communities. The lack of positive adult supervision and positive role models also encourages the growth of gangs. Gang members take advantage of vulnerable youths with no supervision and no positive role models where prosocial use of time is not encouraged or supported in the family. Lack of good jobs and opportunities for developing job skills, which may exist across generations so it becomes the norm which leads to a sense of hopelessness.

What are indicators or signs of gang activity?

• Gang clothing may just be the color of the clothing. It may be the way the clothing is worn. Gang paraphernalia may include jewelry, beads, or friendship bracelets. Obsession with one particular color of clothing or showing a desire for a particular logo over and over may also be a sign.

• The color blue is most often seen in the form of a blue bandana. Also, red, gray, black, and white can also be colors that show allegiance to a gang.

• Gang members may wear clothing in a specific manner such as wearing a specific ball cap worn to the right or to the left. A pants leg rolled up may be an indicator. The wearing of baggy pants may be another indicator. One indicator may NOT mean anything. It is the TOTALITY of the indicators that needs to be taken into consideration.

• Tattoos are common and usually have at least one, identifying gang. The three dots tattoo means “My Crazy Life.”

• Hand Signs – Non-verbal communication between members. Uses hand signs while with friends and practices them at home

• Gang graffiti on folders, desks, walls, and buildings. Not all graffiti indicate gang graffiti. Gang graffiti is generally less artistic. Some are considered tagger graffiti. Gang graffiti may be a sign of claiming their territory, “beefing” or fighting, or roll calls.

• Developing a bad attitude towards family, school, and authorities

• Staying out later than usual

• Carrying weapons

• Withdrawing from family activities

• Changing friends; spending time with undesirable people

• Having more money or possessions

• Hand signs are used to show allegiance to a specific gang.

• Some gangs also use symbols to identity their gang.

Why do people join gangs?

• Fun and excitement - Gang members, recruiters, and the news media glamorize the gang life style. Youth who lack self-esteem, do not have a sense of belonging, or lack interests and direction could be drawn to gangs.

• Identity and a Sense of Belonging - Gangs provide a sense of identity for their members. This sense of identity may be a sense of belonging or a source of recognition that they are not getting at home or elsewhere. Youth who do not have strong ties to their families, communities, schools, or churches may turn to gangs as a “substitute” family. Gangs satisfy the need for recognition and power.

• Peer Pressure - If their friends are gang members, youth may be pressured to join a gang.

• Financial Gain - Being in a gang is often seen as way to obtain money or possessions such as drug dealing and prostitution.

• A Failure To Understand What Being in a Gang Means – Youth see only the fun, excitement, and power that gang members claim to have. They very often do not fully understand the danger, risks, and legal problems associated with being in a gang.

• Protection - In neighborhoods and areas where gangs are present, youth sometimes feel, or are told, that belonging to a gang will provide protection from other gangs.

• A family tradition – There are now second- and third-generation gang members nationally.

Who Joins gangs?

• Two-thirds of gang member are 18 and older according to a national survey; this varies from gang to gang, and community to community.

• Certain risk factors include poverty, unmet basic living needs, the need for protection, and an unhealthy home life.

The community must be aware of the behavior and activities of their children. Continual monitoring of behavior and positive daily verbal communication between parents and young people is a must for gang membership prevention.

What can parents and family members do?

· Know your children's friends.

· Know about who and what influences the kids in your family.

· Know what your children are doing at all times.

· Become involved with them and occupy their time.

· Strive for good communication between you and your youngsters.

· Again, spend time with them.

· Do not allow gang dress.

· Do not allow hanging in the streets or mall.

· Be suspicious of gang writing, graffiti, or tattoos.

· Encourage anti-gang attitudes at home.

· Teach your children about avoiding gangs, drugs, violence, and destruction.

· Participate in your child's education–find out what's happening at school daily.

· Get involved in community affairs.

· Set the example for your kids–they will do what you do.

· Believe in your young person.

What are some community strategies to combat gangs?

· More recreational and leisure-time activities for youngsters.

· A crack-down and tougher law enforcement against gang activities in the community.

· Stepped-up efforts to dry up the chief source of gang money such as drugs and violence.

· Increased parental supervision of children, their activities, and their friends

· Collaborative efforts between police, community residents, and young people.

It is the unrelentless mission of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Police Department to continually explore solutions to solve, prevent, deter, and respond to crimes and or problems that creates or enhances the commission of crimes with the partnership of the community for the safety and welfare of our community.

IN CASES OF EMERGENCY, PLEASE DIAL 911.

We must stress the importance of calling 911. A 911 dispatcher will send an officer to the address of the emergency; they will also ask questions to assist the officer prior to arrival. The dispatcher may also contact other services that are needed such as medical assistance, fire assistance, or additional police personnel.

Non-emergency dispatch number:

323-2677

Please call this number if you have a non-emergency need to speak to an officer or non-emergency officer assistance.

RSIC TRIBAL POLICE BUSINESS OFFICE

785-8776

This number is to be used to conduct administrative business with the police department, such as leaving messages for police staff, information requests, general questions, or other police business related matters. The police administrative office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

HUNGRY VALLEY SUB-STATION.

785-1365

This number is to be used to conduct administrative business with the police department, such as leaving messages for police staff, information requests, general questions, or other police business related matters. Officers use the sub-station for briefings, writing reports and telephone calls.

PARA EMERGENCIA, LLAMA 911 PARA LA OFICINA, LLAMA (775)785-8776