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Show Aug. 4, 1994 Hilltop Times 23 Youth gang membership increasing; Parents, do involvement has you know where your children are? causes, behaviors son, is not accepted by his peers, he or she will seek companionship wherever it can be found. Intimidation is also a very real rea son for youth to join gangs a youth may fee approached by gang members and told that he or she will be beaten up if he or she doesn't join the gang. The most unfortunate influence on young people to join gangs has been their recent glorification on television and by the movie industry. Young people watch television and see an actor playing a gang member who gets killed one day, but reappears in another role the following week. Unfortunately, this becomes reality. Young people don't understand the real violence that gang members participate until it's in and become victims of too late. One or more of the following behaviors may be a sign that a young person is involved in a gang: D Poor achievement in school. CI A lack of hobbies or other extracurricular activities. 0 Drawing gang-styl-e pictures or L. Cowan by Capt. Thomas Sh-u:Chir.f Mn. PuMtm Saurfd'on Youth gangs are quickly becoming by Capt. Thomas L. Cowan one of the most serious problems in our society. More and more gang mem- Chief, 649th Security Police Squadron Many believe a curfew would solve the various juvenile problems we occasionally experience on Hill AFB. While a curfew is a potential solution to juvenile mischief, where are the parents in this solution? Why are kids roaming the" housing areas at all hours of the night? Wouldn't it be easier for the parents to take control of their children and set down their own rules at home? What parents must remember is the base is not a "safe haven." Crimes do occur on Hill AFB just like in communities around the base and parents need to take responsibility for knowing where their children are and what they're doing. Gangs: Statistics on gangs have risen dramatically in recent years. In 1990, the Salt Lake Area Gang Project found 75 different gangs with 890 children claiming gang affiliation; currently, the number of gangs is estimated to be 250, with 2,000 children claiming affiliation. Missing children: U.S. Department of Justice statistics show that approximatechildren are listed as missly each year. ing With these statistics in mind, I 0 3,200-4,60- i bers are committing violent crimps-againeach other and the general population. Parents are understandably concerned that their children will b' victims of gang-relatecrime, but there is another danger that many their parents might not consider own child may be a member of a youth st ' ootih-innocen- t d t A youth gang is an organization of individuals, normally between the ages 3w of 14 and 24. It is loosely knit, without structure and the strongest, boldest member is usually the leader. The gang has a name, claims a territory or M There is nothing harder for the human spirit to bear than being cold shouldered." 4 Georges Clemenceau P841-192- recommend all parents consider the safety of their children their responsibility and not, depend on other resources' for the solution. 9) Frenrr statewmii dive-- Roy Family neighborhood, is involved with criminal activity and its members associate on a continuous basis. Its activities include violent assaults against other gangs, as well as committing various crimes against the general public. Youth normally join gangs for one or more reasons. Many are looking for identity and recognition that they otherwise do not find m mainstream society. Many join because they seek the protection of the gang. Those living in areas saturated with gangs may feel that joining a gang is their only means of survival. 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