Gangs of Utah Which Gangs are present in

Gangs of Utah Which Gangs are present in Utah? How do they recruit members and is there a way out?

Table of Contents 1. Gangs of Utah 2. What are their origins? 3. How many members are male vs. female? 4. Risk factors that lead to gang involvement? 5. Is there a way out?

Active gangs in Utah Hispanic: Nortenos and Surenos Crips & Bloods: Tongan Crips, Sons of Samoa, and Kearns Town Bloods. Straight Edge: SXE and Straight Edge Vegans Skinheads: Non-racist and Racist Unaligned: Oquirrh Shadow Boys and Varrio Loco Town

Origins of a few Surenos are a Mexican gang that is strongest in Southern California. Straight Edge began in NY in the mid-1980’s as moral watchdogs. California Straight Edger’s are tolerant, while Salt Lake City members are violent. Tongan Crips – 1 st identified in 1989. They are heavily influenced by Los Angeles based Crips. Pacific Islander immigrants moved to LA, then to Utah to escape gang violence, thus bring the gang to Utah.

Members Male vs. Female 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Male Female Percentage Male vs. Female Juvenile vs. Imprisoned Adults

Factors that increase gang involvement Unsuccessful academic achievements. Low self-esteem. Lack of involvement in positive after-school activities. Friends that are juvenile delinquents. Behavioral disorders.

How can you leave a gang? Believe you deserve better. Desire change. Spend time with family, and focus on other recreational activities. Change the way you dress. Disassociate yourself with your gang friends. Find a good support system, friends and adults.

Sources http: //www. usatoday. com/story/news/nation/2014/05/26/t onga-crips-gang-utah/9463661/ http: //articles. latimes. com/1998/jan/29/news/mn-13171 http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Sureños http: //www. helpinggangyouth. com/statistics. html http: //updsl. org/divisions/metro_gang_unit/local_gangs http: //www. edmontonpolice. ca/Community. Policing/Organi zed. Crime/Gangs/Getting. Out. Of. AGang. aspx