Gang Section

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

A gang is defined as: “Three or more persons having a common identifying sign or symbol or an identifiable leadership who continually or regularly associate in the commission of criminal activities” (Texas Penal Code, 71.01).

Normally a "gang" will have a common name, signs, symbols, and colors and will be involved in some type of criminal behavior.

Since the inception of the Fort Worth Police Department Gang Section in 1983, our Intelligence Unit has identified over 260 gangs and 12,500 gang members. There are currently 197 gangs and 5,300 gang members in our database. 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 activities including 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. They mark their areas with graffiti, but will also mark the area of the school they attend or throughout the city as they travel about. Many gang members place their gang's initials on articles of clothing or on their bodies as tattoos. Most have "street” names and sign their graffiti with these (called monikers).

The cost of gang activity to City of Fort Worth is very high. The quality of life in the neighborhoods where gangs are active is greatly affected. In dollars, gang activity costs greatly through property crimes committed, 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. Several innocent people have been victims of drive-by shootings and other types of gang violence. It is usually the families of these victims and society that carry the scars

It is important for parents and citizens 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, identify 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 he or she has, without explanation where it came from or other possessions that youth could not have bought himself or herself (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, Scouts, or church. The youth may become a discipline problem at school, in public, or in the home. The youth no longer accepts parent’s authority and challenges it frequently.

• Problems at school, such as failing classes, "skipping" school, causing problems in class, and 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, on notebooks, or on other possessions.

• Sometimes the family will be threatened by rival gang members or, even more tragic, the family will be a victim of a drive-by shooting.

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.

BE AWARE OF THE PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED INDICATORS AND ACT QUICKLY WHEN THE INDICATORS ARE SEEN TO PREVENT YOUR CHILD FROM GETTING MORE INVOLVED IN THE GANG.

• 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 lovingly and consistently enforced. Be firm but fair when disciplining, and show your children that you care about them and are concerned for their future. True discipline is training. Boundaries need to be clearly made for youths and consequences for violating those boundaries need to be followed through consistently.

• SPEAK TO TEACHERS AND SCHOOL COUNSELORS - Meet and discuss your child with their teachers; learn in what areas you can help your children achieve. Join PTA or other parent groups and be involved in the quality of education your child receives. Attend your child's school functions and show him or her school is important.

• WHEN YOUR CHILD IS GOING OUT - Know where your child is going, who he or she is going with, and how he or she will get there. Set a reasonable time for your 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 or she cannot buy what is necessary or participate in the same things the other children are doing.

• ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS OR OTHER ACTIVITIES - Children need to belong and want to be part of groups. Let them belong to Boy or Girl Scouts or to a sports team but not to a gang. Support other outside interests (hobbies, church, etc.). These activities help build self-esteem and will give the child a feeling that he or she belongs to something worthwhile.

• SUPPORT YOUR CHILD’S CAREGIVERS – Never rebuke a caregiver in front of your child. If you have to correct a caregiver, take him or her aside and speak to that person away from your child. If that does not work, speak to the caregiver’s superior. Always support the authority of caregivers in front of your child. This teaches the child to respect authority and will prepare him or her to live within a structured setting.

• SHOW YOUR CHILD THAT HE OR SHE IS IMPORTANT TO YOU AND THAT YOU LOVE HIM OR HER – Your child is your greatest legacy. If you allow your child to do whatever her or she desires, he or she will most likely turn towards negative behavior. It is your job to give your child proper leadership and make sure he or she has the tools needed for a productive future.

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

Fort Worth is fortunate to have many fine organizations to provide services to our youths. Many of these agencies are here to provide our youths with places where they can be accepted for who they are and what they are capable of achieving. These agencies can help them to build self-esteem and encourage our youths to be their best.

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

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