Before educators can respond effectively to gang influence in schools, they must be aware of the reasons that youth become involved in gangs. They also must be able to recognize gang characteristics, types of gangs, and indications of gang involvement.
Awareness of gang presence and influence should stimulate a variety of intervention strategies. Positive, preventive strategies include building students' self-esteem and helping students develop positive skills. Youth should have an opportunity to bond, belong, and contribute to the school and community at large.
Educators must view gang members as individuals and respond in ways that resist gang pressure and aid communications with gang-involved youth. Administrators also must act to combat gang influence by initiating graffiti-removal teams, school search-and-seizure procedures consistent with the law, dress code policies that mitigate gang influence in school, and close cooperation with local law enforcement authorities and community agencies.
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