Gang Task Force Advisory Board

Early Signs of Gang Involvement

Gang involvement can begin as early as elementary school.   Children as young as 7 or 8 years old have been recruited to work for gangs.

Parents and educators should watch for the signs that their children or students may be involved with gangs.   Changes in a child's behavior or activities which may be early warning signs of gang involvement include:

•  Decline in grades

•  Change of friends

•  Truancy

•  Keeping late hours

•  Alcohol and other drug use

•  Having large sums of money or expensive items which cannot be explained

•  Developing major attitude problems with parents, teachers, or others in authority

•  Glamorizing gangs