Gang prevention is a problem we have been struggling with for centuries but it seems that the more effort that goes into this cause, the worse the problem seems to be escalating to. Is it a problem for government or does the solution lie with all of us?
Although we should help in the prevention of gang activities, we don't always know where to begin. Has gangs grown so much that us as normal individuals feel that we are unable to assist. Or do we assume our efforts are in vain and just don't try at all.
Regardless of the fact that gangs are such a big societal problem many are not aware of what gangs really are about. For us to be able to stop gang activities, it is important to know what a gang is and what they do. Because police officials are buried in cases that involve gangs, they appreciate the help that people give in reporting any gang related crimes.
A gang is a group of people who share the same characteristics. The gang has their own name, colors and commit crimes together. Where there is poverty there will be gangs and most members are from broken homes and find that the gang gives them support, love and acceptance. The gang members become their family and their loyalty can be so strong that they will go to prison or even die for the gang.
Many will say that gang prevention should be initiated by looking at this reason for gangsterism. As mentioned above, gangs are a result of poverty and broken homes, therefore, gang prevention should include a plan to eradicate such poverty and encourage better family lives. People need jobs and there should be other positive outlets for young people to receive the support and acceptance that they receive from gangs.
If you think that a person in your family or a neighbour is a gang member, then you should start a gang prevention effort at home. The signs of somebody belonging to a gang are often if that person changes the way they dress, is very secretive and suddenly has a lot of money and expensive possessions. Once you know someone is involved in a gang then you should report it immediately. The problem will only become bigger if we pretend that gangsterism does not exist. Sometimes, gang problems are right under our noses.
Strategies For Gang Prevention: You have to try to make sure that young people in your family occupy their time with activities that are wholesome and productive, don't just allow them to hang around on street corners, the devil makes work for idle hands, make sure that they are involved with organised sports, hobbies and after school activities, these are all excellent ways to fill a young person's time and make them feel a part of a community.
Organizations such as churches and NGO's are big fighters against gangs. Although they contribute greatly towards crime prevention as a whole, their main focus is on the youth through their gang prevention campaigns. They feel that younger people can easily be transformed and therefore they play a direct role in ensuring the youth have more positive outlets.
Gang members need to realize that gangs only bring a wasted future and certainly are no solution. Gang prevention should deal with the individual involved in order for them to have hope for a better life.
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