Gang Statistics:

As of 2007, there are at least

30,000 known gangs and
800,000 known gang members
in the United States

A Denver, CO survey showed

that although only 14% of teenagers were members of a gang,
they attributed for 89% of all
serious violent crimes

Gang members are 60 times

more likely to die than a nongang member

This document was

produced by a student
at the University of
Rhode Island. For more
information on her
research please contact:
Alexandra Keresztes
keresztesalex@my.uri.edu

About 6% of gang members are female

Few teens are forced to

join gangs and they can refuse without fearing retaliation

From a Former Gang

Member:

The gang life is an endless battle with no victories

on either side.

If knowing gang life

was so surrounded by
death, I dont know how
anyone could WANT to get
into a gang.

The way out is not by

guns and violence. It is
by using [your] minds.
Educate yourself.

For more information on

the subject of youth
gangs please visit or
contact:
dosomething.org
National Crime Prevention
Council
www.ncpc.org
202-466-6277
National Youth Violence
Prevention Resource Center
www.safeyouth.org
1-866-723-3968

American
Gangs:
Risks to
American
Youth

What is a Gang?
Why are youth becoming involved?

By definition, a gang is a
group of individuals with a common purpose who engage in
criminal activity including, but
not limited to, drug dealing, graffiti and violence. A gang may be
identified by their name, color or
symbol.
When looking to recruit,
gangs often target youth who
need money, have gotten into
trouble with the law, have lowself esteem, have few friends,
youth who skip class and perform poorly in school. Membership has increased over the past
20 years because it provides
troubled youth with a sense of
belonging and also promises
them sex, drugs, alcohol, money
and prestige.

Youth Gang Membership

Of all known gangs, approximately 40% of the members are under the age of 18. Membership in gangs
may begin as young as 12, with the average age of
members at about 17-18. Many believe that youth
are much more likely to commit more serious and
violent crimes as a mean of being more accepted by
the gang members.
The process by which youth join gangs usually involves acts of violence or committing crimes.
In order to become a member, women are raped or
must fight another
female gang member and men must
fight several members at once ,
harm innocent
people or sometimes even shoot
police officers or
other innocent
people.

How Long are Youth Typically Involved?

It is believed that most youth involved for a
short period of time, it is just a phase for many
of them. Only about one-third to one-half of
gang members stay with a gang after their first
year of membership, but this number is far too
high and we must find a way to stop it.

What YOU Can Do:

Find positive ways to spend your time

and energy.

Avoid gangs and gang members.

Do not carry a gun or another weapon.

It is not likely to make you safer.

Be aware of the gangs present in your

community and help others gain awareness.

Contact some of the sources on the

back to locate groups in your area that
are trying to limit the influences of
gangs in schools.