By: Richard Armen
Submitted: 2011-07-27 22:13:29 | Word Count: 544
Even if you live in a neighborhood you've always considered to be relatively safe, it's impossible to escape news stories of rising violence among youths who have gotten involved with street gangs. The truth is, gang violence has grown into a threat that cannot be ignored. No matter where you live in the country, violence from gangs has the potential to affect your everyday life and your personal security.
Across the country, countless communities are dealing with gang-related violence and crime. Gangs are groups of adolescents and young adults who stake out an area (known as their 'turf') where they will make money through drug sales and other illegal means.
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A gang will often try to recruit younger members from the local schools. If you have children, it is important to teach them about these groups and how to avoid them. Studies have shown that children, particularly in urban areas, are susceptible to the peer pressure to join a gang. Young people are drawn into gangs because they lack direction and mentorship, or they are attracted to the allure of friends, drugs, or alcohol. Most have no idea of the far-reaching consequences of gang involvement. According to one statistic, belonging to a gang makes one 60% more likely to become a murder victim.
Often, gang evidence is found in colors or tattoos used to mark a member of the gang. Many gangs will also 'tag' their turf with graffiti. For homeowners, this is often the first sign that a gang has moved in to the neighborhood. If you've ever had your fence tagged, then you know just how aggravating it can be. Even more troubling is the flow of guns and drugs into neighborhoods that were once quiet, peaceful, and even crime-free. To be accepted into a gang, criminal activities ranging from robbery and car theft to assault and even murder may be required by the gang.
If such gang activity has been spotted in your community, it is important to be proactive. Gang activity demands that you take action to protect yourself and your loved ones. A common misconception about protecting your home from street gangs is that it can't be done. There are actually many affordable ways to deter violence in your neighborhood, from installing adequate outdoor lighting to removing disabled cars, overgrown bushes, and other hiding spots.
In addition to increasing your home security, you can also contact the local police for advice on dealing with gangs. They can help you form a neighborhood crime watch, which is a group of neighbors who agree to keep an eye on activities in their community and report any suspicious behavior to the police. The neighborhood watch should hold regular meetings to discuss ways to improve community safety.
There have recently been stories in the news of unsuspecting people, doing nothing wrong, attacked by a gang while walking home from school or work. Unpredictable threats and mindless hostility can make anyone wonder what they can do to protect themselves while out alone, especially after dark. This is a tough question, and it's one reason why more and more people are choosing to carry personal alarms, pepper sprays, stun guns, and other self defense devices to fight back against violence perpetrated by gangs or other criminals.
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