Gang Prevention

Recognizing gang activity in your child’s behavior

A youth gang is a group of people who get together on a regular basis to carry out violent, illegal or anti-social activities, including intimidation, assault, vandalism, burglary and even murder. Gang members generally tend to be male teenagers, but they can also be female and even as young as 7 years old.

What can parents do?

Know who your children’s friends are
Know about who and what influences your kids
Know what your children are doing at all times
Become involved with your children and spend time with them
Strive for good communication between you and your children
Do not allow them to wear gang attire
Do not allow your children to ‘hang out’ in the streets or mall
Be very suspicious of gang writing, graffiti, or tattoos
Encourage anti-gang attitudes at home
Learn about gangs and drugs
Participate in your child’s education-find out what’s happening at school
Get involved in your community and school affairs
Set the example for your kids, they will do what you do
Believe in your children

What should you do about Gang Graffitti?

Remember the four (4) R’s…Read It, Record It, Report It and Remove It!!!
If gang graffiti is left unchecked can become very dangerous. Remember, graffiti can indicate an outright threat against a rival gang or against a specific person. The graffiti must first be read and interpreted for danger signals. Second, the graffiti should be well documented and photographed. Finally, the graffiti should be quickly removed to reduce the likelihood of continued violence.

The ESCO Gang Unit

In early 2009, the Gang Unit was formed to target high crime and gang infested areas with focused patrol efforts. Working closely with the FDLE, the unit collects gang intelligence and works to arrest and prosecute the most violent and most active gang members . The unit also has worked closely with the ECSO School Resource Officers and the Escambia County School System prevent gang activity .

If you have any information on gang activity in Escambia County, contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or send a tip online at http://gulfcoastcrimestoppers.org

: Deputy David Brown, Sergeant Rick Vinson, Deputy Scott Rappa, Special Agent Chris Webster, FDLE

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In an effort to combat the gang activity in Escambia County,the Sheriff’s Office has partnered with local law enfrocement and the Escambia County Schiool District to educate parents, teachers, and community members about the dangers of criminal gangs. If you are concerned that your child may be involved with gang activity, download the Parent’s Guide to Gangs and know the street you child is on.