gangs

Why do young people join gangs?

There are a variety of reasons that kids become involved in gangs:

1. A sense of belonging

2. Family Life

3. Poverty

4. Single Parent

5. Live-in boyfriend or girlfriend

6. Child has no structure or discipline in their life

7. Looks up to elder siblings

8. Family lifestyle of violence, Narcotics, and Alcohol

9. Low attachment to positive adults, teachers, and Law Enforcement

10. Peer Pressure

11. Popularity

12. Respect

13. Lack of positive role models

14. Safety

15. Excitement

16. Gang Tradition

17. Low self-esteem

In many cases, kids are not actively discouraged from

gang involvement by their parents. Often, parents don’t

realize that their children are engaged in gang activity.

What is a gang?

It is a group of people who form an allegiance for a common purpose

and engage in violent, unlawful, or criminal activities. There are

Hispanic gangs and mixed race gangs operating in the Pueblo area.

Gang activity is not limited to the inner city. It is also prevalent in the suburbs.

Did you know….

According to the Pueblo Police Department, approximately 40% of

reported crime in Pueblo is perpetrated by juveniles. These crimes

include felony assaults, robberies and other crimes. There are approximately

20 active gangs in the Pueblo area. These gangs have a combined

membership of several hundred individuals.

Violence is inherent in gang activity. Anybody in the area is fair game,

including men, women and children. In the past, gang members used

chains, knives and occasional homemade weapons. They now use

shotguns, semi-automatic rifles and handguns!

Local Resources: Get involved, get help and take a stand against gangs!

Pueblo Police Department: Gang Unit – 553-2538

Pueblo Police Department: DARE & SRO Unit: 553-2586

Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office – 583-6125

Pueblo Youth Offender System – 544-4800

Juvenile Diversion Unit – 546-6145

Pueblo Youth Center – 546-4298

Pueblo Youth Services Bureau – 542-5161

Kommon Ground would like to thank

the Pueblo Police Department and the Pueblo

District Attorney's Office for

the informational material and statistics

presented on this page.

Pueblo Student Crime Stoppers

719-543-tips (719-543-8477)

Pueblo Gang Hotline

719-553-2939

Ask to speak with a Gang Detective.

You will remain Anonymous!

Here are what your peers think about Gangs?

"Gangs are supposed to be like family, but when

you get into trouble with the law they are not there for you.

If you go to prison, your gang family won't care about you."

- Angie age 17

"Gangs are a bad influence. If you want to do good in life,

you better hang around positive people."

- Ruben age 15

"I have been in a gang before. They have your back

when someone wants to fight you. It was cool to have people

back you up. I was accepted into the group, but they asked

me to do things that I knew was wrong and I didn't want to do it.

They beat me up because I wouldn't do it. If I could say anything

at all, it would be "It's not worth it."

-Mike age 17

National Statistics:

90 % of gang members are arrested by the age of 18

75% are arrested twice by the time they are 18

95% don't finish High School

60% are dead or in prison by the age of 20

Ask

"Question and Answer page"

Question:

I am 15 years old. This guy that I like really wants me to join his gang. I am a really tough girl and can fight. The only thing that I am scared of is my initiation into the gang. I have to have sex with about 3 or 4 of the guys there. Should I join the gang?

Answer:

As your peer, I would recommend that you respect yourself. You’re young and this isn’t the way you want to start off, and although your boyfriend may agree that’s what he wants, after the fact he will no longer respect you for that even though he may not say so. But you’ve got to be strong in your beliefs and have respect for yourself.

I'm a foster child. I've been one my whole life. I've never met my mom and my two brothers. I have seen pictures of both of my brothers. It seems as though my brothers are both in gangs. I can tell by the way that they dress. I think I would be better off joining a gang just like my brothers. I am 13 years old and would like to know if I should join a gang?

Question:

At what age can you carry a gun? If you carry a gun now, what will happen if you get caught?

Answer:

A juvenile under age 18 may not possess a handgun, whether loaded or unloaded. If a juvenile is arrested for possession of a handgun under Colorado Law, he/she is presumed to be a danger to the community and will be arrested and held until an appearance in court.

If you have a question or concern or comment about Gangs, please e-mail us at: admin@journeyscps.org

Your information will remain Confidential.

Please fill out a survey on Gangs for us.

E-mail us at admin@journeyscps.org or mail it to:

KOMMON GROUND PROGRAM
503 N. Main Street
Pueblo, CO 81003

Click on the link below to print out the survey

/Documents/Survey on GANGS.doc

Kommon Ground is a program of JOURNEYS, Inc. Child Placement Services, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization.

www.journeyscps.org
Copyright 2008