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STUDENTS AGAINST VIOLENCE EVERYWHERE ~
JULY: FOCUS ON GANGS
Many teens join gangs because they are bored, lacking in purpose, or looking for a way to belong. But
there are other options. Sports, clubs, recreational, and after-school programs give you a great chance to meet new
people, explore new interests, develop new talents and skills, and to connect with people that really care about you
and your well-being. The response from school officials to the presence of gangs requires a combination of
prevention, intervention, and enforcement strategies. Local law enforcement also needs to be involved since gang activity is
usually present on and off school property. Gang activity often escalates in warmer weather and when schools are out
for the summer, so this is a good month for SAVE chapters to focus on the awareness of this issue.
Crime Prevention Activities
Conflict Management Activities
Service Project Activities
- Find a local business to sponsor an after-school alternative to "hanging out" as a way to develop positive activities for teens.
- Work with local agencies to create "safe places" where youth can go for assistance when they are approached by gangs for membership or dangerous activities and institute a Neighborhood Watch or community patrol.
- More service project ideas
Gang Articles & Information
- How to Get Out of a Gang - Special thanks to North Chicago High School SAVE Chapter for providing this brochure!
- OJJDP Report Examines Best Practices To Address Gang Problems -
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has published
"Best Practices To Address Community Gang Problems: OJJDP's Comprehensive Gang Model."
The report provides communities responding to a present or potential youth gang
problem with guidance in implementing OJJDP's Comprehensive Gang Model. It
describes the research informing the model, notes findings from evaluations of
several programs demonstrating the model, and outlines best practices derived
from practitioners with experience in planning and implementing the model in
their communities.
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/222799.pdf
- Gang
Related Murders Soaring
Source: Long Beach Press-Telegram, Long Beach, CA
Written by: Beth Barrett
Published: June 1, 2004
While funding of juvenile programs was being cut, gang activity has
been spreading rapidly from Los Angeles to the rest of the country,
and homicides linked to juveniles in gangs have soared from 692 nationally
in 1999 to more than 1,100 in 2002, according to a recent study, Caught
in the Crossfire: Arresting Gang Violence by Investing in Kids.
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Gangs Eye Kids as Young as 7
Source: The Washington Times, Washington, DC
Written by: Jon Ward
Published: May 18, 2004
Gangs in Northern Virginia are a growing threat to residents'
safety and are recruiting children as young as 7 years old,
law enforcement officials said. … Gangs, which police say are
growing in size and boldness, usually commit violent crimes
against other gangs, but bystanders are at risk.
National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere
SAVE: Youth Voices... Grown-Up Choices! Toll Free 866-343-SAVE
For more information contact cwray@nationalsave.org / Copyright 2012
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