Your friends, your choices.

Class Action

Lesson One

Halifax County, Virginia

Ten Important FactsAbout Street Gangs

1. Street gangs recruit members as early as elementary school.• Gang members typically range in age from 12 to

24.• Evidence that a member as young as 8 in

Lynchburg.

2. Street gang members are both boys and girls.• Females are in over

1/3 of gangs.• Females are in more

active roles.

3. Street gangs are a mix of different races and cultures.

4. Street gang members must prove themselves to their gangs.• Initiation

– Being Jumped In– Violence to Strangers

• Climbing Up– Putting in Work

• Loyalty– Against All Else – Family, School, Church,

Friends– “Blood In, Blood Out”

5. Street gang members are typically involved in activities that break the law.• Primary Distributors of Illegal Drugs in US• Dominant Retail Level Distributors of

Crack, Cocaine, PCP in Virginia• Control and Expansion of Operations

Locations Result in High Levels of Violence

• Assault, Burglary, Drive-by Shootings, Extortion, Homicide, Identity Fraud, Money Laundering, Robbery, Witness Intimidation

6. Street gang members accept violence as a method of operation.• Territorial

• Hierarchical

• Respect

• Loyalty

•Equals

Violence

7. Street gang members are often arrested for their crimes.

• Misdemeanors – up to 12 months in jail• Felonies – Some up to life in prison• Forfeiture of assets used in gang activities

8. Street gang members are feared and not respected by their peers.

• Do true friends have to buy your friendship?

• Do true friends have to threaten you to get you to do something for them?

• Do true friends demand your full attention 24/7/365?

• Do true friends want you in jail or injured or worse?

9. Street gang members are followers not leaders.• Is it likely that a gang member will have

time to prepare for SOL’s?• Is it likely that a gang member will have

time to fill out college applications?• Is it likely that a gang member will have

time to devote to sports?• Is it likely that a gang member will make

good grades?• Is it likely that a gang member will succeed

outside of the gang?

10. Street gang members are breaking the law by committing certain crimes while being in a gang.• Gang Participation = being a member of a

street gang and committing certain crimes

• Gang Recruitment

• Gang Hazing

• Gang Threats

Your friends, your choices.