FAQs • Suffolk, VA • CivicEngage

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What do gang members look like?: Gang members normally wear the same style or color of clothing. They may wear bandanas or beads, or other items of the same color. Tattoos with similar signs or words, and the use of hand signals to communicate with each other are also often seen with gang members.

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Police - Gangs

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1. What is a gang?: A gang is a group of 3 or more individuals in association with each other using some type of identifier and committing a crime (misdemeanor or felony).

2. Why do people join gangs?: Young people join gangs for a variety of reasons. They include reasons such as:
- Economic benefit
- Excitement
- Friendship
- Need for a sense of belonging, family or love
- Power
- Protection
- Status

3. What types of people join gangs?: Gang members can no longer be stereotyped into groups by race, gender or economics. We are finding gang members are male and female, from all races, all cultures and all economic levels.

4. What do gang members look like?: Gang members normally wear the same style or color of clothing. They may wear bandanas or beads, or other items of the same color. Tattoos with similar signs or words, and the use of hand signals to communicate with each other are also often seen with gang members.

5. How do I know if I have a gang in my neighborhood?: If you notice several individuals wearing the same type of clothing/colors, using hand signals and/or graffiti in your neighborhood, these would be good indicators of a gang presence.

6. How can I report a gang problem in my community?: Contact the Suffolk Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team. Please leave your name, address, contact number and any information related to possible gang activity in your community. View the team's contact information.

7. How can I get someone to speak on gangs to my neighborhood group?: Contact the Suffolk Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team or fill out the request for Speaker form found on our website under stay informed. Access the team's contact information.

8. What should I do if I find graffiti in my neighborhood?: If you find graffiti in your neighborhood, contact the Suffolk Police Department Neighborhood Enforcement Team. They will come and photograph the graffiti to determine if it is gang related and they will contact the owner to have it removed. Access the team's contact information.