The typical age range is 12 to 24, however some documented members are as old as 60. Youth are joining younger and remaining longer. Annually, about 1.9 million young people are victims of property crimes in the United States. Gangs unrelated to the folks and people include satanic, white supremacist, and motorcycle gangs.
Gangs use symbols to identify their membership, territory, and loyalty.
Gangs may be further identified by their use of graffiti, tattoos, jewelry, or clothing. Other identifiers include colors, dressing to the left or right sides, and use of hand signals. The wearing of professional sports attire is popular within gangs because of the team colors and symbols. An illegal incident committed by one or more identified gang members. Activity is motivated by gang membership, influenced by gang policy, committed to enhance prestige of members, or enhance the financial status of the gang.