Fort Worth Police Department Banner


Gang Unit
 
 
The following information has been furnished by the Gang Unit to help parents and citizens to be aware of the characteristics of gang members.
WHAT IS A GANG?

A gang is defined as: a number of individuals banned together as an independent entity, who are recognized by the community as such, and as a result of said affiliation, participate in criminal activity.
Normally a "gang" will have a common name, signs, symbols or colors.
GANG ACTIVITY IN FORT WORTH

Since May, 1983, the Fort Worth Police Department's Gang Intelligence Unit has identified and profiled 260 gangs with 7,400* gang members. Included in these numbers, are Hispanic street gangs, black gangs, motorcycle gangs, white-supremacist gangs, prison gangs and Asian gangs.
It is considered that 15-25% of gang members are "hard core" members (those actually involved in criminal activity), with the remaining percentage being, associates, fringe members, and "at-risk" members.
Gang members are involved in many types of criminal activity, which include homicide, robbery, assault, burglary, auto theft and sexual assault, as well as every other type of reported crime.
Most Fort Worth gangs take their name from the neighborhood in which they live in. They mark the area with graffiti, but will also mark the area of the school they attend, or throughout the city as they travel about. Many gang members will have their gang's initials on articles of clothing or as tattoos. Most have "Street" names, and sign their graffiti with these.
The cost of gang activity to Fort Worth is very high. The quality of life in the neighborhoods where gangs are active is greatly affected. In dollars, gang activity costs us through the property crimes committed, through vandalism and graffiti, as well as the cost to the taxpayer for agencies tasked with addressing this problem. In human suffering, the costs are astronomical. There have been several innocent victims of drive-by shootings, as well as all types of violence directed at gang members and innocent citizens, and it is usually the families of these victims and society that carry the scars.
*does not include associates, fringe members, or "at-risk" members
CHARACTERISTICS OF GANG INVOLVEMENT

Parents and citizens need to be aware of some of the characteristics of gang members. Prevention is the key to keeping our youth from joining gangs. If the warning signs are identified early, then the youth can be directed away from gang activity. **While each of these indicators, viewed separately, are not signs of gang involvement, viewed together they may indicate gang involvement.
  • Associating with a new set of friends while ignoring old friends. Usually will not talk about new friends, who they are or what they do together.
  • Change of hair style and/or clothing or associating with other youths who have same hair style and/or same clothing. Usually some of the clothing, such as a hat or jacket, will have the gang's initials, and/or the youth's "street" name on it.
  • Increase in amount of money they have, without explanation where it came from, or other possessions that youth could not have bought themselves, (i.e. stereos, jewelry, etc.)
  • Indications of drug, alcohol or inhalant abuse. Signs of inhalant abuse will sometimes be paint or "white-out" found on the youth's clothes, or the smell of chemicals on their clothes.
  • Change in attitude about things the youth used to enjoy such as sports or scouts or church. Youth becomes a discipline problem at school, in public, or in the home. Youth no longer accepts parents authority and challenges it frequently.
  • Problems at school, such as failing classes, "skipping" school, causing problems in class, being disrespectful to teachers.
  • Usually will show fear of the police.
  • Signs that youth has been in a fight, such as cuts and bruises or complaints of pain, but youth won't explain what happened.
  • Graffiti is present on or around the youth's residence, or on notebooks or the other possessions of the youth.
  • Sometimes the family will be threatened by rival gang members, or more tragic, the family will be a victim of a drive-by shooting before they realize their youth is involved in a gang.
If several of the indicators above are found in your youth, then there is an indication your youth may be involved in a gang. As a parent or guardian, you have the right to ensure your families safety, and you may wish to search your youth's room or vehicle for weapons or drugs. This is not a violation of your child's privacy. It is an act that may protect your child as well as the rest of the family.
WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT GANG INVOLVEMENT?
  • MEET YOUR CHILDREN'S FRIENDS, make it a point to meet each friend, learn where they live and who their parents are, then meet those parents.
  • ESTABLISH RULES FOR YOUR CHILDREN, set limits and be consistent in enforcing those rules. Young people need limits, and will respond to those limits when properly enforced. Be firm but fair when disciplining, and show your children that you care about them and are concerned for their future.
  • SPEAK TO TEACHERS AND SCHOOL COUNSELORS, meet and discuss your child with their teachers, learn what areas you can help the child achieve. Join PTA or other parent groups and be involved in the quality of education your child receives. Attend the child's school functions, show them school is important.
  • WHEN YOUR CHILD IS GOING OUT, know where your child is going, who he/she is going with and how will he/she get there. Set a reasonable time for the child to return home, and enforce that time. If possible, provide enough money for the child to participate in the activity with the other children. This prevents the embarrassment that he/she cannot buy something or do the same things.
  • ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS OR OTHER ACTIVITIES Children need to belong and want to be part of something, so let them belong to scouts, or a sports team, not a gang. Support other outside interests (scouts, hobbies, church, etc.) these build self-esteem and give the child a feeling that he/she belongs to something worthwhile.
BE AWARE OF THE PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED INDICATORS AND ACT QUICKLY WHEN THE INDICATORS ARE SEEN TO PREVENT YOUR CHILD FROM GETTING MORE INVOLVED INTO THE GANG.
**Be aware that the same child that will not obey the rules at home is the child who will obey the rules of the gang, because the gang demands it**

INVEST FOR THE FUTURE, INVEST IN OUR YOUTH!
FOR MORE INFORMATION
CONTACT
(817)871-8830
FWPD GANG UNIT

RESOURCES

Fort Worth is fortunate to have many fine organizations to provide services to our youths. Many of these agencies are here to provide our youth with a place where they can be accepted for what they are and what they are capable of achieving. They will build self-esteem, and encourage our youth to be their best. Call these numbers for more information:

ALTERNATIVES FOR AT-RISK YOUTH

Boys and Girls Clubs......................................921-9129
Boy Scouts-Longhorn Council...........................738-5491
Camp Fire-First Texas Council..........................831-2111
Girl Scouts-Circle T Council..............................737-7272
United Centers..............................................927-5556
YMCA-TRUCE Program.....................................332-3281
Comin-UP......................................................834-4711
Parks and Community Services..........................871-5700

REFERRAL AND INFORMATION

Family Matters-Lena Pope Home.......................534-0300
Catholic Charities...........................................921-5381
Citizens Crime Commission of Tarrant County-Gang Task Force..................877-5161