Gang Prevention
Posted: December 08, 2009
School and community safety is a top priority. A few questions for parents come to mind as I have been asked to discuss gang prevention in our area.
Are you concerned about the gang problems in our area? Do gangs exist beyond the “wanna be” category in our area? What we do know is that there is a constant problem in our area as well as Idaho with ongoing gang activity. What can we, together, do about gang prevention and what are some of the signs of gang activity? Furthermore, what are the primary affiliations in this area?
A few answers first. Two of the more common gangs in this area are the Surenos and Nortenos. These are both Latin or Hispanic street gangs. The Surenos align themselves with the number 13. They often have this number tattooed on them in some form. “Trece, 13, X3, XIII, or SUR13” are often used to identify them. The primary color for this gang is blue. The Sureno’s is an old prison gang from the 1960’s that has become one of the most violent street level gangs in the western U.S. The Sureno’s rely on violence, drug distribution, extortion and are major players in the drug trafficking world.
The Norteno’s is another local gang that has its roots in the prisons in the 1960’s. The Norteno’s have alignments with La Nuestra Familia, another prison and street gang. Common markers for this gang include XIV, X4, 14 and N. The makeup of this gang is generally Hispanic men born in America. “Norteno” translates into northerner and is a known rival of the Surenos street gang. The primary color for this gang is red.
Parents, if you are seeing the numbers associated with gangs being written on notebooks, hands, or other items talk with your children about the problems associated with gangs. Our school district has a policy about gangs that prohibits wearing, possessing, using, distributing, displaying, or selling any clothing, jewelry, emblem, badge, symbol, sign, gesture, code or other evidence of membership of membership or affiliation with any gang.
As a parent you have the most influence on your children and how they respond to gangs. Tips for prevention may include but certainly are not limited to: proper encouragement, supporting them with hobbies, set rules and have appropriate punishments, apply punishment after your anger subsides, know your child’s friends, and know where they are and who they are with. Show them your family values, morals and norms and talk about them with your kids. When they know and want to do the right thing because it is the right thing, then choosing the better path will be easier.
By: Rob Cobbley, K9 School Resource Officer