GANG TATOO

The word tattoo reportedly is derived from the Tahitian word "tatu." Some believe that tattoos go back as long ago as 12,000 BC but in recorded history, they can be traced back to approximately the time the great pyramids were being constructed in Ancient Egypt.

Tattoos have long been used to identify people in many cultures. The gang culture of today is no different. Street and prison gang members use tattoos for several reasons. First, gang members will frequently have numerous tattoos, particularly if they have spent time in prison. These tattoos may include one or more symbols that the gang has adopted as something unique to identify the gang and its members. Other tattoos might be a teardrop under an eye, spider webs to indicate prison time, or a popular phrase such as "Thug Life." Second, tattoos are worn and used for intimidation. Many members, particularly if the gang has a propensity for violence, will have the gang name tattooed in large bold letters so that other persons or gang members will know what gang the person represents.

Wearing an unauthorized gang tattoo could be hazardous to a person’s health, particularly in prison. Prison gang inmates have been known to remove unauthorized tattoos on non-gang members by cutting the tattoo from the person’s flesh.

GANG GRAFITTI

Gang graffito, the singular of graffiti, is often the first indication that gang activity is present in your community. It is the newspaper, the billboard, the Internet of the world of gangs and serves to mark the gang's power and status. It marks territorial boundaries and serves, as a warning to other gangs that the area marked with unique signs and symbols is the territory or "turf" of a particular gang. Graffiti warns intruders or trespassers from rival gangs and even police officers, that they are not welcome. It may also be an advertisement for the sale of drugs or a memorial to a fallen fellow gang member.

Graffiti should not be tolerated in ANY community. It frequently, if left intact, leads to the degradation of a neighborhood and the devaluation of property. Studies have shown in many cases that if graffiti is left unchecked and not removed, more and more graffiti will appear. The removal of graffiti is extremely costly and some cities, that have developed graffiti removal programs, have spent huge sums of money to reclaim and beautify the neighborhood or community.

Most municipalities have codes or laws that deal with the defacing of property. Many have seen the need to pass laws that deal directly with graffiti perpetrators and many of these laws have severe penalties to deal with violators who are convicted.

BASIC ELEMENTS OF GANGS

Parents do not realize that children will turn elsewhere to get the love and attention they seek if it is not given in the home. Give your children the attention, praise, and encouragement they desire and deserve. Gang prevention begins in the home with family.

1. Unity – The gang unites and becomes one. Everything that is done is done in the name of the gang and for the gang. The gang becomes each member’s family and religion.
2. Identity – The individual member loses his identity and becomes one with the gang. He identifies with the gang by wearing colors, tattoos, or brands of the symbol of the gang. His friends are fellow gang members because he trusts no one else.
3. Loyalty – The gang is first and foremost in his life, he will do anything to protect the gang integrity and fellow members.
4. Reward – The rewards are acceptance, love, identity, status, money, and the feeling of being an important part of a family.
5. Violations – The gang imposes a strict set of rules and regulations to which gang members are required to adhere. Punishments include monetary fines, beatings, banishment from the gang, and sometimes – even death. Violation is also a term used to denote a member’s acceptance to and exit from the gang. Violation into the gang may consist of a beating from several gang members, or commission of a particular type of crime. Violation out of the gang, or “V’d out” normally consists of a severe beating by gang members.