Gang Awareness & Prevention (GAP) Community Forum

“Raise your gang awareness level”

GANGS – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The following is a list of the most frequently asked questions/answers concerning

gangs and gang activity in our city.

¾ What defines a gang?

Under Virginia State code 18.2-46.1, "Criminal street gang" means any
ongoing organization, association, or group of three or more persons, whether
formal or informal, (i) which has as one of its primary objectives or activities
the commission of one or more criminal activities; (ii) which has an
identifiable name or identifying sign or symbol; and (iii) whose members
individually or collectively have engaged in the commission of, attempt to
commit, conspiracy to commit, or solicitation of two or more predicate
criminal acts, at least one of which is an act of violence, provided such acts
were not part of a common act or transaction.

¾ Is it illegal to be in a gang?

If the group of individuals meets the definition of a gang, then it is illegal to

be in a gang. The consequences may result in incarceration.

Based on Virginia State Code 18.2-46.2, any person who actively participates
in or is a member of a criminal street gang and who knowingly and willfully
participates in any predicate criminal act committed for the benefit of, at the
direction of, or in association with any criminal street gang shall be guilty of a
Class 5 felony. However, if such participant in or member of a criminal street
gang is age eighteen years or older and knows or has reason to know that
such criminal street gang also includes a juvenile member or participant; he
shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony.

Virginia State Codes 18.2-46.3, any person who solicits, invites, recruits,
encourages or otherwise causes or attempts to cause another to actively
participate in or become a member of what he knows to be a criminal street
gang is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Any person age 18 years or older
who solicits, invites, recruits, encourages or otherwise causes or attempts to
cause a juvenile to actively participate in or become a member of what he
knows to be a criminal street gang is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

¾ What can be done to combat gangs?

There is no one method that proves to be effective on its own. It takes

parental involvement, prevention, intervention, and enforcement approaches
in conjunction with each other to have the best outcome in combating gangs.
This is a community problem that requires community involvement.
Gang Awareness & Prevention (GAP) Community Forum
“Raise your gang awareness level”

¾ What is the make-up of the street gangs in our area (age, race,
territory)?

The demographics of our street gangs include primarily juveniles. Membership

tends to be diverse with subjects of different ethnic and socioeconomic
classes joining gangs. They are not as territorial or multi-generational as
traditional gangs. Gangs in Virginia Beach can include members from different
parts of the city with different backgrounds. They may become inactive after
several years as the members age and move on.

¾ Do we have real "national" gangs and their respective issues here?

What type of criminal activity are VB gangs responsible for?

We cannot show that our gangs are aligned with a National Criminal Street
Gang at this time although the groups that we have seen will adopt names,
colors and symbols of National Gangs.

Our gangs are involved in Robberies, Narcotics, Weapon Violations, Assaults,

Mob Assaults, and Destruction of Property type crimes.

¾ What can be done about graffiti?

The city has a voluntary graffiti abatement (removal) program in effect for
private residential property. The City’s Graffiti Abatement contractor will
remove graffiti by power washing, or painting over it, if the property owner
signs a release form. There are no costs to the property owner.

Private Property- The Graffiti Hotline allows individuals to report instances

of graffiti on private residential or commercial properties. Call Code
Enforcement at 385-4421.

Public Property - Call the following agencies to report graffiti on public

property or online at: www.vbgov.com

• Public Works to report graffiti on roads, bridges or signs at 385-1470.

• Public Works, Building Maintenance to report graffiti on City buildings
and property at 385-4561.
• School Administration to report graffiti on School property at 473-
5190.
• Police Department to investigate involvement in graffiti activities at
385-5000.

¾ What is the City doing to combat gangs?

• Present public awareness forums and lectures to community groups.

• Share Information among local, state and federal agencies.
• Train Department & City personnel.
• Work with other agencies and the state legislature to implement anti-gang
policies and statutes.
• Juvenile Probation has partnered with city agencies to provide evidence
based services for probationers and parolees identified as gang members.
• Develop a resource list/guide of programs available throughout the City.

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Gang Awareness & Prevention (GAP) Community Forum
“Raise your gang awareness level”

¾ How do gangs recruit members?

Peer pressure; recruit within the schools, intimidation, threats

¾ How serious is the problem here in Virginia Beach?

We have identified 322 gang members and associates in Virginia Beach which,
out of 450,000 residents, is approximately .0007 % of our population. Our
gang problem is beginning to take an affect on our resources which is why we
are taking a proactive stance to deal with the problem and enlisting the help
of the community.

¾ Norfolk and Suffolk have held town meetings on gangs, is the region
working together on this problem?

Information is shared between our sister cities as well as our military

neighbors. Court Services work together. The Virginia Gang Intelligence
Association is an organization established state wide with representatives
from numerous state and local law enforcement agencies.

¾ Are gangs an issue in our schools?

Schools are a reflection of the neighborhoods they serve and it is true that
sometimes neighborhood disputes between groups of children will spill over
into schools. However, that is a different situation than schools being
inhabited by highly organized gangs. We do not believe this is the case in our
schools. Student disputes appear to be local in nature and not affiliated with
gangs in other localities regionally or nationwide. I would like to note that
members of our staff have been trained by the police to be aware of what
constitutes gang activity. For example, administrators, guidance counselors,
security assistants and SROs monitor student behavior and dress with an
awareness of potential signs of gang activity.

¾ What schools? Any school with more gang activity?

Our secondary schools tend to be more subject to neighborhood disputes.
¾ What action are we taking?
Virginia Beach City Public Schools has an on-going working relationship with
Virginia Beach Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU) to share
information. This relationship helps foster a safe learning environment by
deterring gang activity in our schools. Since 1997, the Virginia Beach Police
Department has provided gang activity awareness training to school staff.
Detective Roger Frederick, from the CIU, has made himself available to school
staff requested gang activity awareness training. In coordination with the
office of safe schools, Detective Frederick provided in-service training to all
school security assistants in August 2004 and will provide an update during
the security assistants summer's training. In Aug 2005 and 2006 Detective
Frederick has provided an in-service training on gang activity awareness for
middle and high school administrators.

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Gang Awareness & Prevention (GAP) Community Forum
“Raise your gang awareness level”

Each secondary school has identified an administrator to serve as the point of

contact for all gang related matters. The administrator will work with
guidance counselors and the school resource officers to provide resources for
parents and students.
The school division has representatives on the Virginia Beach Gang Task Force
School Resource Officers work closely with school staff to prevent youth gang
involvement.
In July 2006 School Board Policy 5-41 added Number 5 Disciplinary action will
be taken against any student taking part in gang related activities that are
disruptive to the school environment, which include the display of any
apparel, jewelry, accessory or tattoo, by virtue of its color, arrangement,
trademark, or any other attribute, denotes membership in a gang that
advocates illegal or disruptive behavior. Also School Board Regulation 5-37.1
was amended to include, reporting incidents to the police # 19 gang
activities.

¾ What are some warning signs that your child may be involved with a
gang?

• Gang involvement does not happen overnight. It is a gradual process and

if you are alert you will see the signs.
• Lack of hobbies or too much leisure time.
• Frequent contact with authority figures or police.
• Draws gang insignias/symbols.
• Friends are gang members / Peer Pressure.
• Shows an unusual interest in one or two particular colors of clothing or a
particular logo or begins dressing in traditional gang clothes.
• Unusual interest in gangster-influenced music, videos, movies or websites.
• Uses unusual hand signs and/or gang-slang to communicate with friends.
• Comes home with unexplained physical injuries (fighting related).
• Possesses a weapon.
• Exhibits negative changes in behavior:
o Poor progress or achievement in school
o Truancy from school
o Problems at home – withdraw from family
o Breaks rules consistently

¾ What effects do gangs have on our community?

Increased criminal activity, decreased property values, loss of businesses,

reduced number of visitors – essentially, there is a negative impact on our
economic development and the quality of life of our citizens.

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Gang Awareness & Prevention (GAP) Community Forum
“Raise your gang awareness level”

¾ Is there a profile for gang members or kids that are at risk of

becoming a gang member?

Yes. Childhood Predictors of Joining and Remaining in a Gang:

NEIGHBORHOOD
Availability of marijuana
Neighborhood peers in trouble

FAMILY
One parent family
One parent plus other adults
Parental attitudes favoring violence
Low bonding with parents
Low household income
Sibling antisocial behavior
Poor family management

SCHOOL
Learning disabled
Low academic achievement
Low school attachment
Low school commitment
Low academic aspirations
Truancy

PEER GROUP
Association with friends who engage in problem behaviors

INDIVIDUAL
Low religious service attendance
Early marijuana use
Early violence
Antisocial beliefs
Early drinking
Externalizing behaviors
Poor refusal skills

¾ What can parents do?

• Establish clear and consistent expectations.

• Require obedience to family rules.
• Praise often.
• Provide ENFORCEABLE consequences for inappropriate behavior.
• Know your children's friends.
• Know about who and what influences your kids.
• Require children to tell you where they are going, and with whom,
whenever they leave home. Verify information.
• Give your child a curfew.
• Become involved with them and keep them occupied and engaged in
positive activities.
• Strive for good communication between you and your youngsters.
• Learn to listen.

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Gang Awareness & Prevention (GAP) Community Forum
“Raise your gang awareness level”

• Again, spend time with them.

• Establish an anti-gang attitude at home.
• Do not allow gang dress.
• Do not allow hanging in the streets or mall.
• Be very suspicious of gang writing, graffiti, or tattoos.
• Learn about gangs and drugs.
• Participate in your child's education–find out what's happening at school.
• Get involved in community affairs.
• Set the example for your kids–they will do what you do.
• Believe in your young person.
• Insure that your children have the Developmental Assets they need to
grow up healthy, successful and principled.

¾ My 10 year-old son gets into fights at school and in the neighborhood.

He is defiant to us in the home on a daily basis. Can children’s mental
health services be of help?

Yes. Family therapy can help get a defiant child’s behavior back on track
before he moves to more serious levels of violence.

¾ Are there services for adolescents who may be involved with drugs?

Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a 10-week program that requires

7.5 hours of activity each week. Part of this is a weekly multi-family group
for the parents to take part. It includes random urine drug screens. Most
adolescents in the program are referred by the Juvenile Court.

¾ How does one get into these programs?

Call the Mental Health Substance Abuse MHSA Division Pre-Registration Unit
at 437-6158.

¾ Is it expensive?

Many health insurances will pay for this service, as will Medicaid and FAMIS.
When you call the above number, we will begin assessing your coverage and
if covered, you will know the co pay before you begin. If you have no
coverage, there is an ability-to-pay scale that is accessed.

¾ What are some parental/community strategies to combat gangs?

• Provide more recreational and leisure-time activities for youngsters.

• Support a crack-down and tougher law enforcement against gang
activities in the community.
• Support and report stepped-up efforts to dry up the chief source of gang
money–DRUGS.
• Increase parental supervision of children, their activities, and their friends.
• Reinforce collaborative efforts between police, community residents, and
young people.
• Report suspected gang activity to the police
• Contact the police if you suspect your child is involved in criminal or gang
activity.

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Gang Awareness & Prevention (GAP) Community Forum
“Raise your gang awareness level”

• Do not allow visitors who identify with a gang.

• Limit the exposure young children have to music and videos that glorify
gangs and gang activity.
• Talk with your child about how to handle gang recruitment efforts.
• Get to know the SRO in your child’s school.
• Contact the SRO or school principal if your child is harassed by gang
members in school.
• Organize community activities for youth in your neighborhood.
• Organize a parent’s group to combat gangs in your neighborhood.
• Collaborate with parents who want to help their children separate from the
gang lifestyle.
• Organize parenting/support groups for parents of young children.
• Develop work programs and offer part- time employment to high risk
juveniles who are attending school.
• Become a mentor in an elementary or high school.
• Sponsor recreational or community events for at risk families.
• Become a mentor to a single parent.
• Become involved: Do your part to insure that young people have the
Developmental Assets they need to grow up healthy, successful and
principled.

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SOURCE: Information provided by the Virginia Beach Gang Strategy Task

Force and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).