Introduction to Apopka United Against Gangs

1. Together, we CAN make a difference!

2. PREVENTI ON, I NTERVENTI ON,
SUPPRESSI ON
 Education, Education, Education
 Awareness and Involvement
 Who?
 Families
 Community at large
 Government
 i.e., Everyone!
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3. W DOES SOM
HY EONE JOI N?
 Identity, Recognition , Belonging
 Discipline, Love, Money & Power
 Protection, Social and emotional support
 Unstable home environment
 Broken home, Access to drugs, Fear
 Violent parents and/or family members
 A family tradition
 Fear
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4. SOCI AL I MPACT ON A
COM UNI TY
M
 Gangs provide an environment in which deviant and
illegal behaviors are learned and improved upon, and
techniques for avoiding detection are learned.*
 Gangs also reinforce deviant, anti-social, and illegal
behavior among their members and promote socially
irresponsible values, attitudes and beliefs.*
 Parents of gang members are losing their children.*
 People who are residents in gang neighborhoods are
likely to lose any sense of security and they will likely be
victimized directly or indirectly.*
*Copyright, 2002 Dr. Michael Carlie, Into the Abyss
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5. COM ON M
M YTHS ABOUT GANGS
 My gang will be just like a family
 My gang will protect me; I will feel safe
 Other people will respect me more if I am in a
gang
 Joining a gang means lots of friends
 There are no all-girl gangs
 I'll make lots of money if I'm in a gang
 I can never get out of my gang
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6. WA C
H T AN P EN D ?
AR TS O
 Talk to your children about gangs
 Teach children how to deal with peer pressure
 Set firm limits and use consistent discipline
 Limit /monitor children’s exposure to violence in TV,
video games and music
 Plan family time
 Lead by example:
 Community pride
 Respect for others and their property
 Encourage involvement in athletics and other
health-oriented activities to help develop a sense of
belonging
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7. WHAT CAN I DO?
 Educate yourself – be aware of what is going on
 Don’t be afraid to become involved
 Be a tattletale – Please!
 Tell a friend
 Tell a neighbor
 Tell the police – call immediately if there is an incident
 Invite us to come give this presentation to others
 Join us – share your gifts and talents
 Promote positive youth development – be inclusive
 Get involved in the community
 Attend Apopka Citizen Police Academy
 Start a Neighborhood Watch program
 Clean up your neighborhood or Adopt-A-Road
 Create a graffiti clean-up program
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8. WHAT ORGANI ZATI ONS CAN
DO
 Provide volunteer opportunities for youth
 Share with us your resources available for at-
risk you.
 Share your message with and through
Apopka United Against Gangs.
 Provide mentoring and/or internship
opportunities for at-risk youth.
 Keep us informed of new resources,
programs, etc. that your organization offers
for at-risk youth.
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9. GET I NVOLVED W TH
I
APOPKA UNI TED AGAI NST GANGS
 Visit our web site at: apopkauag.com
 Send us emails at: apopkauag@gmail.com
 Share your comments on our blog
 Join our Community Information Database
 Attend town hall meetings and workshops
 Spread the word
 Become a mentor for at-risk youth
 Invite us to speak to your club or organization
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10. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
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