THE LEYDEN COMMUNITY

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THE LEYDEN COMMUNITY GANGS
An outline of gangs in the Leyden area and the
programs and responses developed to address them.
Presented by
West Leyden Deans East Leyden Dean Tim
Ruettiger Mike Grosch
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What is a gang?
A street gang is an organized group that
participates in criminal, threatening, or
intimidating activity. It includes three or
more individuals with recognizable symbols, a
definable hierarchy, and geographical
territory. Its members recognize a code of
conduct, meet regularly, and engage in an
organized, continuous course of criminal
activity. Chicago Crime Commission
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Leyden High School District 212
Any organization, club, or group composed wholly
or in part of students or in part by students,
which seeks to perpetuate itself by acceptance of
additional members from students enrolled in the
district, which is assembled for the common
purpose of 1. Committing or conspiring to
commit criminal offenses. 2. Engaging in
conduct that is inimical to the public good.
3. Engaging in conduct that interferes with
or disrupts the Districts educational
process or programs. Membership in a gang,
recruiting gang members, involvement in gang
activities and display of gang symbols or
paraphernalia are strictly prohibited.
Leyden District 212, Student Code of Conduct
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Gangs in Chicago
75 100 gangs in Chicago Estimated gang
membership 25,000 125,000 80 of gang
membership is dominated by 7 Super street
gangs. Gangster Disciple Nation (GDN) GDs
BDs Black Gangsters/New Breeds (BG) Latin
Kings (LK) Black P Stone Nation Vice Lords
(VL) Four Corner Hustlers Maniac Latin
Disciples (MLDs)
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People Folks
People Folks evolved along racial lines during
the 1970s in the Illinois prison system by
incarcerated gang members for protection.
Traditionally People gangs would represent
to the left. Wearing hats tilted to the left
side earrings in the left ear the left shoe
tied a certain way the left pant leg cuffed the
left pocket hanging out etc. Conversely the
Folks gangs would represent to the
right. While People Folks alignments
still exist these alliances mean less today than
ever before.
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PEOPLE v FOLKS
LOVE LIFE LOYALTY
WISDOM KNOWLEDGE
UNDERSTANDING
LOVEHONOR OBEDIENCE SACRIFICE RIGHTEOUSNESS
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CHICAGO AREA GANGS
People Gangs
Folks Gangs
12th Street Players Bishops Black P Stone
Nation Cobra Stones Cullerton Deuces El
Rukns Four Corner Hustlers Gaylords Insane Popes
(S) Insane Unknowns Jousters Kenmore
Boys Kents King Cobras Laflin Lovers Latin
Brothers
La Familia Stones Latin Counts Latin
Dragons Latin Kings Latin Pachucos Latin
Saints Mickey Cobras Noble Knights Party
Gents Party Players Puerto Rican Stones Spanish
Lords Stoned Freaks Vice Lords (12
factions) Villa Lobos Warlords
22 Boys 26 or Gangster 26 Ambrose Ashland
Vikings Black Disciples Black Gangsters/New
Breeds Black Souls Braizers Campbell Boys C
Notes City Knights Gangster Disciples Harrison
Gents Imperial Gangsters Insane Deuces Insane
Popes (N) Insane Spanish Cobras Krazy Get Down
Boys La Raza
Latin Disciples Latin Dragons Latin Eagles Latin
Jivers Latin Lovers Latin Souls Latin
Stylers Maniac Latin Disciples Milwaukee
Kings Morgan Boys Orchestra Albany Party
People Racine Boys Ridgeway Lords Satan
Disciples Simon City Royals Sin City Boys YLO
Cobras
Independent Gangs
Gangster Stones MS 13 Sureno 13
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LEYDEN AREA GANGS
Imperial Gangsters
Latin Kings
Vice Lords
Maniac Latin Disciples
Latin Counts
Ambrose
Gang infractions at Leyden consistently run
between 2 and 2.5 of the student body. Gang
membership ?
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Latin Eagles
Simon City Royals
The only gang members in Naperville are the ones
getting off the tollway from Chicago going to
Aurora. Naperville Chief of Police
Latin Souls
La Raza
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Who are gang members?
Male female The common perception is that most
gang members are male however, female gang
members in Chicago number between 16,000
20,000. Problems at School Many gang members
have experienced academic difficulties,
truancy problems, and other discipline
issues. Police contact Many gang members have
had previous police contact. Family problems
Economic difficulties, lack of parental
supervision, abuse, neglect. Family
legacy. Multi-ethnic Gang membership crosses
racial and ethnic lines.
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Warning signs
Changes in Attitude No longer cares about
school, sports, etc. Behavior
Getting into trouble. Friends New friends,
friends you havent met. Appearance
Baggy, oversize clothes, certain color
combinations prevalent. Grades Sudden drop
in grades. Drugs or alcohol Sudden use or
increased use. Graffiti Gang symbols,
characters, or drawings. Tattoos Symbols,
characters, or drawings.
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Why join a gang?
Identity recognition Those who do not fit
in to the dominant culture will find other
places to fit in. Status The gang member
becomes someone to be feared and
respected. Protection Protection from rival
gangs and from the one
joined. Money Access to drugs and
money. Family Where family support is lacking,
the gang can become the surrogate family.
Family legacy. Popular culture Movies,
television, video games, music videos, all
glamorize gang culture.
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Gang Member Identification
Admission of gang affiliation. Gang related
tattoos. Gang nickname. Associates w/known gang
members. In gang photograph(s). I.D. as gang
member by parent or guardian. Victims are rival
gang members. Wears colors. I.D. by law
enforcement I.D. by rival gang. Named in gang
graffiti or other documents. Draws or possesses
gang symbols.
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Gang graffiti the 4 Rs
Read it gang writing offers valuable
intelligence about gangs active in the
area. Record it take a photograph for future
reference. Report it to local law enforcement
for police report and for removal. Remove it
graffiti left in place promotes more graffiti.

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Common Gang Symbols
A
A Almighty e.g., Almighty Imperial Gangsters
Pointed crown (P) Rounded crown (F)
Six point Star of David for David Barksdale the
founder of the original Black Disciples. (F)
Five point star (P)
Rabbits head Dice Martini glass Top hat
cane Pyramid crescent moon Numbers letters 26
74 197 88 22 24
Pitchforks pointed up (P)
The cross is used by several gangs.
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Examples of common gang symbols
IMPERIAL GANGSTERS
LATIN KINGS
AIGN
LKN
A
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Gang Symbol Interpretation - 101
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Responding to Gangs Gang Activity
Minor, non-violent 1st offense
10 day suspension. Parent conference
REQUIRED. Police notification. Final Warning
contract. Referral to Y.O.S. 10 day suspension
may be reduced if the student successfully
completes Y.O.S. program.
Violent, recruiting, or 2nd offense
10 day suspension - possible recommendation for
expulsion.
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Final Warning
A behavior contract signed by the student, the
parent(s), the counselor, and dean. Two years in
length. Restricts behavior apparel. Consequenc
es clearly spelled out. Offers a path to change.
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Youth Outreach Services Y.O.S. CHOICES Program
Community based. Parent involvement
required. Holistic approach. School notified of
student progress. 10 days suspension reduced to
3 upon agreement to enroll in CHOICES. Remaining
suspension days are held in abeyance until
program completed.
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Epilogue
Gangs are a fact of life. They exist (to some
extent) in every community. Gangs are
constantly changing evolving. Effective gang
interventions involve schools, community groups,
law enforcement.


The best way to make sure little gang-bangers
become big gang-bangers is to do nothing.
To learn more about gangs

• gangresearch.net/ChicagoGangs/chiroomnew.html
• www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/gangs/chicago3.html
•  www.19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us/juveniles/gangs.
  htm
• http//www.adl.org/hate_symbols/neo_nazi_symbols.a
  sp