Community Safety

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Shoplifting	Gangs
Training

Gang Awareness
What Parents should know?

WHAT ARE COMMON IDENTIFIERS OF GANG MEMBERS?

Gang members use graffiti, hand signs, jewelry, tattoos, clothing and colors to signify their membership in a gang and to communicate their gang affiliation to others. Each gang has its own unique graffiti, signs and colors.

HAND SIGNS Are used to communicate within the gang and as a challenge to rival gangs. The signs are made by forming letters and/or numbers with fingers.

TATTOOS Are used to mark ones body as an identifier indicating membership in a particular gang. The tattoos can include the name, initials, street of origin, or symbols of a gang. Some tattoos are professionally drawn while others are homemade. Tattoos can be found on any part of the body, but are commonly found on the hands, arms, chest, back, thighs or ankles.

COLORS Most gangs have particular colors that they use to identify themselves. Many of the gang members will frequently dress in these colors. In Madison the two colors most associated with gang activity are blue and red.

CLOTHING Some gangs use particular sports team clothing to represent their gang by picking a team that uses the particular colors associated with gangs. They may also pick out a teams clothing because of the symbol represented by that team, such as the five point star used by the Dallas Cowboys.

JEWELRY Gangs are usually divided into two groups, the folks and peoples. Jewelry with a six point star indicate a membership with a gang related to the folks, while a five point star is associated with peoples.

STREET NAMES Members of gangs use street-names with each other. They are used to conceal identification from law enforcement. Sometimes gang members use addressers such as "folks" and "people" when talking to each other.

NOTE: The wearing of particular items of clothing should not be used alone as an indication of gang involvement. Current clothing style imitate gang membership.

WHAT ARE SIGNS OF POSSIBLE GANG INVOLVEMENT?

Baseball caps worn distinctively to the left or the right.
Tattoos of stars, pitchforks, or unexplained symbols.
Jewelry, including rings, earrings, and necklaces with nicknames, stars, pitchforks or unexplained initials or symbols.
Money from an unexplained source.
Certain clothes with particular colors and sport team identification which are the only type a child will wear.
New friends that parents are not acquainted with and whom they are not allowed to meet.
Unexplained signs and symbols on books, folders, clothes, bedroom walls and personal belongings.
Truancy or poor progress in school.
Frequent negative contacts with police.

WHAT IS GRAFFITI?

Gang members mark their territory with graffiti, such as Roman Numerals, initials and other symbols. The markings can range from simple to elaborate. Typically graffiti is used to warn competing gangs that there is a threat of takeover. It is essential to remove graffiti as soon as possible, so that it will not be defaced by a rival gang. "Dissing" is done by insulting rival gangs. This occurs when original gang graffiti is crossed out and an opposing gang graffiti written over or next to it, or by graffiti representing the original gang written upside down by the rival gang.

Again it is important to remove the graffiti as soon as possible. Business and property owners should be made aware of graffiti and encouraged to remove it as soon as possible. Graffiti should be reported to your local police or sheriff's precinct as soon as possible.

WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR CHILD IS INVOLVED IN A GANG?

Don't ignore your suspicions; talk to your child.
Watch for some of the signs mentioned previously.
Listen to conversations your child has with friends or new acquaintances.
Check your child's room periodically for signs and symbols.
Talk to your child's teachers about your suspicions.
Divert your child's attention away from unknown friends and into other activities.
Ask for help from the many community agencies.
Call the police. We will respond to your questions and if desired talk with you and your child about gangs.

*** Do not think that a gang is just a phase. Older gang members use newer gang member or people looking to get into the gang by having them take most of the risk. Large quantities of "crack" cocaine have been found on newer members, while older members refuse to associate with them when they get caught.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP ELIMINATE GANG ACTIVITY?

Report all crimes and gang activity to the police.
Identify any suspects to the police, as well as any Street Names. Remember information can be kept confidential.
Remember that we cannot do the job alone and we need the help of those in the community.

A good offense!

The first defense in protecting our kids against gang influence, is a good offense. Just as we warn our kids against the dangers of smoking, alcohol and drugs before we discover evidence of such activity, we must take similar precautions about Gangs - online resources for parents and educators talk to our children about the dangers of gang involvement. That is, making our children aware that gang association of any kind is harmful and will not be tolerated.

Discuss the consequences of being in a gang. We must teach them that they should not associate with gang members, communicate with gangs, hang out where gangs congregate, wear gang-related clothing or attend events sponsored by gangs. We must try to make them understand that the dangers here are real and "just saying no" may save their lives.

What to look out for!

Parents should be alarmed and take appropriate action if a child exhibits one or more of these warning signs. Although we should exercise caution, we need to determine the degree (if any) of a child's involvement. We can assume that a child has some level of involvement with a gang if he/she:

admits that they are involved in any manner with a gang
is obsessed with a particular clothing color
prefers sagging pants or gang clothing
wears jewelry with distinguishing designs (rosary and not being catholic)
Requests a particular logo over others such as, Joker faces, cholo, low-rider designs
adopts an unusual desire for privacy and secrecy
exhibits a change in behavior and conduct and withdraws from the family
is frequently deceitful about their activities
declining grades at school
truancy and/or being late for school
begins keeping late hours
breaks parental rules repeatedly
is obsessed with gangster music or videos
associates with the "wrong crowd" (changes friends)
begins using hand signs with friends
has paint or permanent marker stains on his/her hands or clothes. Or, is in possession of graffiti paraphernalia such as markers, etching tools, and spray paint
show evidence of physical injures and lies about how they were received
displays unusual drawings or text on school books or displays graffiti in their bedrooms and on items such as books and posters
produces unexplained cash, clothing, jewelry, music CDs, etc.
exhibits use of alcohol or drugs

Be careful !

None of these warning signs alone is sufficient for predicting gang involvement, aggression or tendencies toward violence. Also, it can be detrimental to use these signs as a checklist against which to measure children.

Early warning signs are just that, indicators that a child may need our help and guidance. These are behavioral and emotional signs that, when considered in context, can signal a distraught child.

Early warning signs provide us with a means to examine our concerns and address the child's needs. Early warning signs allow us to get help for the child before problems escalate.

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Safety Training

The following is an outline as to when and what to expect when someone calls 9-1-1.

1. The first step is determined if it is an emergency and an immediate response is needed. A 9-1-1 call is a call for help.

- To get help for someone who is hurt

- If you see someone taking something that belongs to someone else.

- If you see someone hurting someone else.

- If you smell smoke or see a fire.

2. Once you determine a 9-1-1 call is appropriate. Dial 9-1-1 ( 9-1-1 calls are free from a payphone/ GTE Also has 9-1-1 service to homes and businesses that do not have phone service. Even if you don’t have phone service, connect a phone and you can still dial 9-1-1)

· A dispatcher will answer the 9-1-1 call with “ 9-1-1, What is the location of your emergency?”

· The dispatcher will then need the following information;

a) What type of emergency is being reported?

b) What is the location or address of the emergency? (IMPORTANT to know SE-SW- NW-NE)

c) The questions that follow are determined by the type of emergency being reported.

3. When you should not call 9-1-1.

· Never call 9-1-1 as a joke.

· Never call 9-1-1 to ask for information.

· Never call 9-1-1 just to see if it works.

These needless calls tie up the phone lines, a dispatcher, a policeman, the ambulance crew, and a fireman. These people could be answering real emergencies and helping people who really need help. If response of any of the above listed people are delayed because of false 9-1-1 calls it could ultimately cost the life of someone who really needs help.

Reporting Suspicious Activity

Suspicious activity is an event-taking place that is out of the ordinary or should not be occurring. Knowing your surroundings, neighbors, their habits, and the composition of their households will make it easier to recognize and report any suspicious activities occurring in your neighborhood.

Helping Your Children Learn to Manage Conflict

Conflict is a fact of life. Although many people think only of its ugly or unfortunate results, some conflict is actually necessary and good. It all depends on how a particular conflict is handled.

Children, like adults, face many conflicts in their lives. Maybe someone teases a child, a best friend suddenly doesn't want to be best friends anymore, or there is disagreement over which child a book belongs to. As you know, children also encounter conflicts at home. Most of these involve possessions, responsibilities, or privacy. They also face conflicts beyond school and home. For example, many children eventually have to deal with moral issues that challenge family rules, such as looking cool in front of friends by trying drugs. Others may be picked upon by older children in the neighborhood.

How children learn to handle conflict.

Children learn how to manage conflict in the same way they learn to do many other things--by watching what goes on around them. They learn from you, from teachers and other adults, from other children, and from television, movies, and other media. How can we all help them learn the best strategies? Here are some tips you may find helpful in your role as parent.

· Give your child some special time each day. This may be really tough in today's busy world, but experts tell us that 20 minutes of positive adult attention per day dramatically reduces children's aggressive behavior.

· Teach your child to ask for attention constructively. Sometimes the purpose of a fight with a brother or sister is to get attention. Encourage your child to ask for attention by expressing his or her needs. Catch your child doing something right. Praise your child for doing well, rather than reprimanding her when mistakes are made.

· Teach your child to recognize the feelings of others. You can point out when someone is happy, sad, scared, worried, and so on. When children learn to recognize what someone else is feeling, they are better able to respond appropriately.

· Listen first, then help your child negotiate a solution. Acknowledge your child's feelings about a conflict before helping to work out a solution.

· Use positive methods to discipline your child. Avoid using physical punishment and yelling. Through your example, your child will see that force is not the best or only choice.

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Late Night Retail problems

Retail Theft (Shoplifting)

A. Reasons for Retail Theft

Opportunity – Impulse

Need (Greed) – Shoplifts to feed him or herself or family. Greed is often what catches this person.

Rationalization`- It is owed to them.

B. People who are most likely to Shoplift

Juveniles- (need and opportunist)

Adult Amateurs (need and opportunist)

Pros (makes a living or supplements income by shoplifting)

C. What the Employee can do.

Loss prevention is your job.

Tools to do the job

Recognize Shoplifting

Getting the shoplifter to “ditch” through:

Intimidation,

Confrontation,

Stalling the exit.

Your efforts to deter shoplifting CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE to you and the business.

**There is one procedure that is 98% effective in stopping shoplifting**

Direct Eye Contact

Greeting - within 30 seconds of entering the store.

Continued contact with customer every time employee is within 10 feet on them.

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