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THE GANG LINE:
O PARENT--WHERE ART THOU? (PART TWO)
BY MIKE RAMEY

Tip From The Old School: If your child comes home with bruises, burn
marks, new tattoos, or other marks on their body, call CPS! Gang
initiations practiced on those under the age of sixteen may be
regarded as child abuse--and should be investigated.

(LAST IN THE SERIES)

I've spent a bit more than a year writing about the ins and
outs of Modern Street Gang issues (MSG) on the Internet in column
form. Several major articles, a major interview and about a year's
worth of individual columns on the issue--with this being the last--
puts the information into the hands of parents and others who have
been searching for answers.

Therefore, it is fitting that this last column goes out to
parents in order to--again--supply the answers that they are seeking.

THE CONTINUATION:

In the first portion of my commentary, I explained how
Modern Street Gangs (MSGs) have become an INTERNATIONAL phenomena. I
hit upon the TRUE power that parents have over their teens and how
such power could be used to bring their children out of the gang
scene. I started to unfurl the Ramey Quick Seven tips for parents in
order for them to check on their child's interest and involvement in
gang activity.

Make no mistake about these facts: First, ALL gang issues
are LOCAL. IF parents are not stepping up to the plate in a
particular city there is little that the police or a gang expert can
do to break the cycle of crime, misery, and violence. Second, the
authorities are going to do all they can to protect their budgets,
and are NOT really going to provide information or intelligence to
help the public until after a problem has started to sap THEIR
resources. Amen?

True story. One night, I stopped by a local pizza place. On
the wall above the cash register were nearly a dozen apartment
complexes that were considered `off limits' to drivers at all times,
and one complex that drivers could ONLY deliver to during the
daylight hours. In the complexes cited, delivery drivers for
different pizza outfits had been roughed up, beaten up, had their
money stolen, and a few were murdered…most of the perpetrators were
tied to local gangs.

Think about this parents. When the prices of good and
services start to go up because gang members--many of them local
teens--have to commit a crime to get initiated, who REALLY pays the
bill? Right! The entire portion of town where the criminal activity
is taking place. If businesses continue to be victimized by the
gangs, what will they do? Right! Close up shop and move to another,
less crime-ridden location. This ALSO means longer trips to the
mall, grocery store and drug store.

If one wants a selfish reason for parents to get involved in
breaking the back on gang crimes, here is the best one: The small
business that closes in your area because of gang crime today WILL
NOT be there tomorrow when YOUR teen needs their first job.


#3--PARENTS NEED TO REGULARLY CHECK THEIR TEEN'S ROOM:

I'd like to say that this is the final in `The Gang Line'
Internet series on Modern Street Gangs. The intent was to cover the
basics; to--again--put the tools in the hands of the parents. So,
let us continue on down my `Quick Seven' list for parents.

Point Three: Check your child's room, early--and often.

You have NO idea as to what is really in there, nor as to
whom has been asking your teen to `keep' stuff for them. During
probation sweeps I've been on, parents have looked truly shocked as
to what probation and law enforcement offices `found' in their teen's
room. Imagine what YOU could find on random checks of your OWN!

#4--PARENTS NEED TO CHECK THEIR TEEN'S LOCKER AT SCHOOL:

Nothing says `parental concern' than mother or father or both
visiting their teen's school and requesting that school officials
come along with them as their open their child's locker. Lockers, to
teens, are regarded as an `extension' of their social life.
Sometimes they serve as `drop zones' for a group of friends--or the
local gang. Many teens KNOW that adults and school officials rarely
check lockers. Even with random drug sweeps, teens generally
get `tipped off' through the underground on a rough time table when
the searches take place. Few teens will see it coming when mom or
dad show up at school during office hours and `check out' what has
been going into the lockers…other than books. Don't forget to talk
to the school security personnel while you are there, too!

#5--PARENTS NEED TO MONITOR THEIR TEEN'S COMINGS AND GOINGS:

Once upon a time, our parents determined a time for the kids
to be home. It was call `curfew'. Mom and Dad were serious about
their children being at home at a specific time. If you weren't at
home on time--there were repercussions.

A legal curfew works in the same way.

In many states, if a teen is on probation or parole and is
arrested for/cited for a curfew violation, this would be one of those
possible `last straw' situations that could have them heading back to
lockup.

Parents, when a cop catches your teen out in violation of
your local curfew ordinance and brings them home, PLEASE thank them!
The police officer COULD have just arrested them and taken them to
lockup. You see, unless the teen is out working or attending a
church service, the likelihood of them doing the right thing after
9pm and before 3am on a school night is fairly low. Those are the
hours of prime gang activity.

#6--PARENTS NEED TO MONITOR BRUISES/TATTOOS ON THEIR CHILD:

Whether you call them Child Protective Services (CPS) or
Department of Child Services (DCS), there are a host of people who
have been made legally liable IF they spot bruises, tattoos and
scratches on your teen--even IF they are of high school age. By law,
in most states, professionals from teachers to court officers HAVE to
report to Child Welfare if bruises, scratches or welts appear on a
child. My dear parent, you are with your teen more than they are. I
have both heard of and seen parents `shocked' when their little
darling is sporting a tattoo or gang clothing or `flags & colors' on
their bodies.

It is STILL a criminal offense for an older teen to `beat' on
one who is younger than they. Thus, when youngsters want to
be `beaten into' the gang (and run the gauntlet of punches and kicks)
they are often left bloody and bruised after the experience. Parent,
you had best keep an eye on your child as to these physical issues.
Someone else is already watching. Your inactivity opens up someone
else's RESPONSIBILITY. The LAST place you want to end up is in front
of a Child Welfare worker who is ready to snatch your kids from you
because you may be `abusive'. In reality, your teen may be on their
way into the gang universe, and YOU will have to be the one who
either takes the fall for their stupidity, or the blame for your
inactivity.

7#--PARENTS NEED TO MONITOR THEIR TEEN'S CLOTHING CHOICES:

There are a variety of clothing choices for young people in
the marketplace. Since advertisers COUNT on teens being able to tap
their parent's wallets and purses, it is up to the parents to KNOW
not only what the popular styles are…but how they could be
interpreted by society and gang members. I realize that parents may
not want to read about this (as they are under enough pressure) but
they need to be aware of what their children are wearing--or not
wearing.

The teen of today is like the teen of yesterday; they know
what is acceptable and what `may' be dangerous in terms of clothing
choices. If one wears too much `red' or too much `blue', or wears
the wrong numeric combinations (as certain numbers represent certain
gangs) they could be placing themselves in harm's way at school and
on the street.
It would take me far too long to cover the vastness of the clothing
issue. However, there are great on line resources for parents to
scan. The best `first' place to start is to listen to your teen and
find out if there are gangs active in your area. The next step is to
be observant of what teens are wearing around your neighborhood and
school and ask ones that you trust the `real deal' on what the
clothing means.

THE SERIES WRAP UP:

"The Gang Line" has laid out the basics on fighting gang
activity. The secret weapon is parental involvement! Parents--along
with some solid, biblical training and prayer--are still the best
weapon in not only breaking up gangs, but stopping gangs from
forming. As I wrap up this venture in contributing to the Internet
knowledge and action base, I'd like to take the time to thank each of
you for your emails. I'd also like to thank those who had the
courage to run these columns, as these brave men and women have
proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that they care for their families
and communities from more than the `talking' stage. I'll be taking
my leave now, and just want to say that God be with you…until we meet
again.

MIKE RAMEY is a Street Gang Specialist, consultant, trainer and Lead
Instructor of THE GANG LINE, based in Indianapolis, Indiana. This
column appears on fine websites around the world. If you have
questions, comments, or would like to have him speak at your school,
church or facility; OR train your group, ministry or agency on how to
spot/stop gang activity, email RameysGangLine@ yahoo.com ©2008 Mike
Ramey/Barnstorm Communications International.