Prevention Prevention is the key to controlling gang activity. Many parents are unaware that their children are involved in gang activity. Many of the younger gang members are not aware of the realities of the violence associated with gang membership or the finality of death. Parents should look for changes in the behavior patterns of their children. Such changes include truancy, a decline in grades, changes of friends, late hours, graffiti in their bedrooms, and other indications of gang involvement.
Gangs frequently gather in dark areas to avoid being seen.
In these locations, they will often drink, use narcotics, and deface property with graffiti. Graffiti targets a neighborhood for deadly violence. Whenever possible, such areas should be kept well lighted. In addition graffiti should be quickly removed. The longer it remains, the more it attracts gang members.