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By: Charlotte Smith

Detective Richard Allen of the Bladen County Sheriff’s Department was the featured guest speaker today at the Elizabethtown Rotary Club. Detective Allen has been with the Sheriff’s Department for eight years and has worked as an Investigator for the last five years. He has worked specifically in the areas of Drugs and Gangs for four and half years.

“There are gangs in Bladen County. The Sheriff’s Department has been working very hard to stop the gang activities in our county”, Detective Allen announced. The club learned that gangs operate somewhat like a business. Gangs try to buy and sell drugs and guns as their business, and they work with other gangs to increase their empires and territories. However, the law-breakers also have violent practices when a deal doesn’t go the way they want it to.

The Sheriff’s Department has already made great progress in eliminating gang activity in our community. Allen gave out reference cards explaining how to recognize and prevent gang involvement.

Here are some common warning signs of gang involvement, but this may not be all-encompassing. Parents and community members should look for multiple signs to indicate possible gang involvement because some of these indicators alone, such as clothes or musical preferences, are also common among youth not involved in gangs. Everyone is encouraged to familiarize themselves with local gang symbols, seek help early, and consider contacting school personnel, local law enforcement, faith leaders, and community organizations for additional assistance.

Warning Signs That a Child May Be Involved with a Gang

Admits to “hanging out” with kids in gangs.
Shows an unusual interest in one or two particular colors of clothing or a particular logo.
Has an unusual interest in gangster-influenced music, videos, movies, or websites.
Uses unusual hand signals to communicate with friends.
Has specific drawings or gang symbols on school books, clothes, walls, or tattoos.
Comes home with unexplained physical injuries (fighting-related bruises, injuries to hand/knuckles)
Has unexplained cash or goods, such as clothing or jewelry.
Carries a weapon.
Has been in the trouble with the police.
Exhibits negative changes in behavior such as:

*Withdrawing from family.

*Declining school attendance, performance, behavior.

*Staying out late.

*Displaying an unusual desire for secrecy.

*Breaking rules consistently

*Speaking in gang-style slang.

What Can We Do to Prevent Gang Involvement

Spend quality time with children.
Get involved in school activities.
Be a positive role model and set the right example.
Know your child’s friends and their families.
Encourage good study habits.
Teach your child how to cope with peer pressure.
Help your child develop good conflict/resolution skills (See www.safeyouth.org/scripts/teens/conflict.asap)
Encourage your child to participate in positive after-school activities with adult supervision (recreation center, organized sports, youth groups)
Take action in your neighborhood (create a neighborhood alliance, report and remove graffiti)
Talk with your child about the dangers and consequences of gang involvement. Let your child know that you don’t want to see him or hurt or arrested. Explain to your child that he or she should NOT: