Gangs

Gang tip hotline 703-228-GANG (4264)

Your information is extremely valuable and anonymous

All reports received on the tip hotline are kept confidential

Note: If you wish to be contacted by a police investigator, you must leave your name and contact number during the phone message.

Should you need immediate assistance for a crime in progress, dial 9-1-1

Specific colors or emblems on jackets, hats, etc.
Special hand signals
Unique tattoo symbols and lettering
Gang symbols on walls (such as graffiti), books or clothing
Clothing (hats, bandannas, etc.) suggesting group or gang involvement
Possession of unexplained large sums of money
Changes in attitude: violent reactions, disruptive behavior, refusal to respect authority (teachers, police, parents), etc.
Secretive behavior regarding activities and locations
Changes in friends or friends who are not brought home
Truancy or poor school performance
Phone calls from individuals who either refuse to identify themselves, give unusual nicknames or use a nickname to identify your child
Negative contact with school officials and law enforcement officers
Involvement with known or suspected gang members
Interest in or possession of weapons (guns, knives, etc.)

Talk with and listen to your children. Schedule quality and quantity time with each child.
Place a high value on education, help your children do their best in school and do everything possible to prevent them from dropping out. Take an active interest in education and grades.
Help your children identify positive role models and heroes, especially people in your neighborhood.
Don’t be a “Do as I say, not as I do!” kind of parent.
Do everything possible to involve your child in supervised, positive group activities.
Praise your children for doing well and encourage them to fully develop skills.
Know what your children do and with whom.
Know who your children’s friends are and their parents.
Don’t forget to talk about gangs — the best time is before there’s a major problem.
Don’t allow your children to have large amounts of unobligated time. Have them participate in organized activities (“hanging out” is not an organized activity).
Look at your children’s schoolbooks and book bags for gang drawings.
Tell your children that you:
- Disapprove of gangs
- See them as special and worth protecting
- Don’t want to see them hurt or arrested
- Want to help with their problems
- And your entire family shouldn’t keep secrets from each other
- And other parents are working together against gangs

Develop positive alternatives. What activities currently exist for after-school involvement? What can you do to support them? What recreational facilities exist for your people? Support positive youth-related activities such as sports, scouting, social clubs, church groups and after-school programs.
Support anti-crime programs such as crime and delinquency programs that discourage gang involvement. Invite efforts in your community to combat graffiti and vandalism. Keep your community pleasant, neat and safe.
Take a zero-tolerance stand on any gang-related activity and share your view whenever and wherever appropriate.