 | Talk with and listen to your child.
|
| Spend special quality time with each
child. |
| Put a high value on education and
help your child do his or her best in school. Starting when
they enter school and continuing through graduation. |
| Help your kids identify positive role
models and heroes, especially people in your community.
|
| Do everything possible to involve your
children in supervised, positive group activities. |
| Praise them for doing well. |
| Encourage them to do their very best.
|
| Know what your children are doing and
with whom. |
| Find out about their friends and their
friends' families. |
| Talk about gangs before they become a
problem. |
| Tell your child that you disapprove of
gangs, and you don't want to see them involved. |
| Remind your child they're special and
worth protecting. |
| Make yourself open to help your child
with their problems. |
| Encourage them to not keep secrets from
you. |
| Ask them to help you and other parents
work together against gangs. |
Listen to your child! Be an active, not a passive parent!
Together we can end the cycle of violence
HELP KEEP GANGS OUT OF YOUR COMMUNITY
Everyone wants a gang free
community. When gangs become active in your neighborhoods,
everyone loses - children, parents and the community as a
whole. If gangs take charge of your neighborhood, there are
ways to take back control. Here is a partial list of methods
to help keep gangs out of your communities.
First, develop positive alternatives
for kids. What are some after-school and weekend
activities kids can enjoy? Can the school offer its'
facilities? Can parents organize clubs or sports? Can older
kids tutor or mentor younger ones? Can kids themselves
contribute their ideas?
Second, talk with other parents. For one, you'll
find out what other parents know about gangs. You can also
support each other and share knowledge that may help prevent
problems. You'll do better as a team than on your own.
Third,
work with police and other agencies. Report
suspicious activity, especially gang graffiti. Set up a
Neighborhood Watch or other community patrol program with
police support. Work with other agencies, like 2nd Chance to
help combat gangs in your area.
Fourth, organize community resources. Put together
a roster of resources available in your own community that you
can turn to for help. In addition to the police, try any of
the following individuals or groups:
