Gang Identification and Affiliation Policy

Code: JFCEA-AR

Amity School District 4J

Adopted: 1/12/94

Secret Societies - Gangs

1. Gang Member Identification Criteria

1. Use of gang name or have an identifiable leadership.
2. Have a high rate of interaction among members to the exclusion of other groups and/or individuals.
3. Wear distinctive types of clothing and/or exhibit distinctive appearance and/or communicate in a peculiar or unique style, including hand signs.
4. Claim a neighborhood and/or other geographical territory.
5. Espousing of a distinctive belief system that frequently results in criminal activity.

2. Gang Member Affiliation Criteria

1. Individuals may be identified as affiliated with a gang, when that identification is based on at least two of the following in varying degrees:

1. When an individual admits membership in a gang to school administration and/or

to police;

2. When a reliable informant has identified an individual as a gang member;
3. When an individual displays clothes, jewelry, gang hand signs, and/or tattoos

unique to gang affiliation. Clothing color alone is not sufficient for designation;

4. When a law enforcement agency, including out-of-state or federal agencies, has

identified an individual as a gang member and/or the individual gives the out-of-state address of known gang members;

5. Frequent association with known gang members.

3. Gang Behaviors on School Property or in School-Related Activities

1. If the type of dress, apparel, activities, acts, behavior or manner of grooming displayed, reflected, or participated in by the student shall:

Lead school officials to reasonably believe that such behavior, apparel, activities, acts, or other attributes are gang related and would disrupt or interfere with the school environment or activity or educational objectives; or

Present a physical safety hazard to self, students, staff, and other employees; or

Create an atmosphere in which the well-being of a student, staff, or other person is hindered by undue pressure, behavior, intimidation, overt gesture, or threat of violence; or

Imply gang membership or affiliation by written communication, marks, drawing, painting, design, emblem upon any school or personal property or on one’s person;

Then the student’s behavior or other attribute may be in violation of this policy. The principal or designee will request the student to make the appropriate correction. If the student refuses, the parent/guardian may be notified and asked to make the necessary correction. The principal will take appropriate corrective and disciplinary action.

4. Prohibited Activities (include, but not limited to):

1. Congregation of members;
2. Solicitation or recruitment of members;
3. Possession of group paraphernalia and materials;
4. Intimidation of others;
5. Advocacy of discrimination;
6. Behavior which the school administration finds disruptive;
7. Wearing of gang colors and insignia;
8. Use of language, codes or gestures that provoke violence or seek to advocate the purpose and/or objectives of such groups;
9. Clothing or personal property decorated or marked with illustrations, words or phrases which are vulgar, obscene or promote behavior which violates school conduct standards or exhibits gang related symbols, colors, or insignias.

5. Alternatives to Gang Membership and/or Affiliation

1. Students identified as being gang involved, influenced, or affiliated will be provided assistance, and/or programs which discourage gang involvement or affiliation, enhance self- esteem, encourage interest and participation in school or other positive activities and promote membership in authorized school organizations.

6. Inservice Activities

1. The District Health Education Coordinator shall be responsible for inservice training for staff members related to gangs on an as needed basis. Activities may be established for gang prevention and intervention.
2. The purpose of training is to provide increased awareness of the threat to the safety of students, staff, patrons, and school property which may be related to gang-related activities.
3. Presentations will provide training in current identification symbols used by those involved in gang-related activity and will include things such as the identification of hand signals, apparel, jewelry, and/or any other pertinent gang-related information.
4. Training may also include methods to communicate conflict resolution skills for staff and students.