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Second Chance
745 North Sanborn
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 758-4820
info@scys.org
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Facts about Gangs
 | There are several
hundred gang-related crimes in Monterey County annually.
These crimes include homicide, felony assault, robbery, and
other crimes. |
| In Monterey County
there are over 60 active gangs with an estimated 3,000
individuals involved in various levels of gang activity.
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| Of the 60 active gangs,
16 are located in Salinas with an estimated 1,500 members.
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| Violence is inherent in
gang activity and men, women, and children of all ages are
subject to attacks. |
| Years ago, gang members
used chains, knives, and an occasional homemade "zip gun,"
in their violent attacks. Now, they use shotguns, automatic
rifles, handguns, explosives, and Molotov Cocktails.
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| Certain gang areas are
frighteningly similar to war zones and there are many people
who sleep on the floor taking cover for fear of getting
shot. |
What to Do?
| Fighting crime and
dealing directly with violent gang members is best left to
experts trained to handle dangerous situations. |
| Everyone has the
responsibility to overcome apathy and fear. All of us must
work toward a solution to the gang problem. |
| Youth alternatives to
gang involvement need to be offered. Lack of after school
activities and other outlets can create a void in a youth's
time that can be easily filled by gang involvement.
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Becoming Aware
| The first and most
important step is to become aware of gangs, gang members,
and their activities. |
| Community members must
have basic knowledge to avoid becoming victims of gang
attacks. |
| 2nd Chance conducts
training programs that provide ways of identifying gang
members and activity. If you would like to host a training
program, contact us at the number listed below. |
Neighborhood Involvement
| A gang's power grows
through instilling fear and intimidation in rivals and
citizens alike. Citizen action groups, such as Neighborhood
Watch or Neighborhood Patrols, can counter this.
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| A neighborhood that is
united and dedicated to a spirit of cooperation toward
stopping crime and violence will greatly hamper a gang's
efforts to intimidate and victimize. |
Prevention
| Prevention is key to
affecting gang activity. |
| Parents can do a lot to
prevent their children's involvement in gangs by looking for
changes in their children's behavior patterns for
indications of gang involvement. |
| Changes include
truancy, a decline in grades, friends and attitude, late
hours, graffiti in bedrooms or on school notebooks, and
especially dress (wearing of one specific color).
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| Staying positively
involved in your child's life can make a tremendous
difference when it comes to their possible involvement in
gangs. |
| When incidents occur,
get involved and cooperate with authorities. Information
concerning gang crimes or activity should be referred to the
local Police or Sheriffs Department in your community.
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| Teamwork between
community based organizations, schools, concerned citizens,
service groups, and law enforcement can keep Monterey County
an enjoyable place in which to work and live. |
Community Approach
| An intelligent response
to gang problems demands input and commitment from all
community members and groups. |
| Organized gangs are not
established spontaneously. In most cases, a group of
juveniles create a loose association and then begin to mimic
the culture of an established hard-core gang. |
| Communities sometimes
ignore the activities of these so-called "wannabes" because
they are not considered the activities of a bona fide gang
despite the fact that this is the traditional evolutionary
pattern of gangs and must not be ignored. |
| It is imperative to
vigorously address those issues that signal the emergence of
a gang. |
| Gang symbols drawn on
notebooks or other school materials should be banned and
removed. |
| Any display or
representation, including dress, of gang membership should
not be acceptable in a school setting or sponsored event.
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| Graffiti should be
brought to the attention of the local police and, where
appropriate, school authorities. Prior to removal, it should
be photographed or otherwise documented. |
| Community task forces
should be appointed and mandated to explore the full
spectrum of issues related to the emergence of gangs such as
housing, counseling, recreational alternatives, employment
opportunities, parental responsibility, prosecution and law
enforcement capability. |
| A community should
enact ordinances to deal with graffiti, curfew violations,
loitering and other activities associated with gangs.
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| Law enforcement can
provide leadership in identifying gang crimes but should not
be held solely responsible for the necessary response.
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| A preventative approach
coordinating social services and related agencies is as
critical as a police suppression approach. |
Gangs are a threat to the entire community
and each of us can and must contribute to a collective
response. Get Involved!
Take a Stand!
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