Recognizing Gangs and Their Activities

[Katzmeow999]

No Angie,

I don't walk through this area with a blindfold on. It's just not spraypainted everywhere. They have the name of the area (not englewood) but whatever the nickname is. They don't have the names of the gangs on walls anymore, at least I don't see them. I do know where they hang out and it's not like they shout what they are. As I can walk from [name of street deleted by admin] (street I live on) to Ashland on 63rd street and see at least 4 police cars rolling past. Now if you go the next block over going towards Western then you have an issue, go down by Harper...major problem. I use to live that way and the kids out of Harper would fight and shoot everyday, this side of 63rd Street is a bit more relaxed...if you can get that in Englewood.

[mamacita1]

browncutie..

Even if an area appears to be "relaxed", the same kids go to the same schools...especially high schools.  Invariably, your kids will be approached.

When I was in high school, I was a nerd...yes, even back then.  One day, after a basketball game (this short gal actually played basketball), I was waiting at the bus stop.  A few girls approached me and said nice things to me, but eventually got to the real point of their conversation.  They asked me if I wanted to be a "Queen"?  Being the naive gal I was, I assumed they were talking about a pageant...and I asked them "When is the parade?"   :-D

It was only after they looked at me strange and walked away, that I realized what they were really asking me.  Fortunately, all my life, I was a loner....but that is not the case for most kids.  If your kids are "vulnerable" to needing friends, and they don't "fit" in with others well....they are definitely "vulnerable" to being taken in.

Most people associate good parenting with forging the child's needs with their own trusted family members and by knowing their friends well.  However, I have seen very charming kids who know how to charm teachers and parents and were gang members.  And of course, this does not account for the ingrained personality of determined and obstinate kids who will defy parental authority. 

And we have not even talked about how drugs can over power kids to the point of selling...and guess where these drugs come from?

No wonder all moms have that worry gene.   :-[

[mamacita1]

It appears the kid who stabbed the teacher is now being also charged with sex assault againt and 8 year old.  At least, for now, it appears this kid was "disturbed"....and incidents not related to gangs.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=121412

[Amarie]

Browncutie,

Ok, they must have cleaned up the streets. removed all the thugs from the corners and sandblasted the buildings because I just drove through there and it looked the same as it did when I lived as a matter of fact it was worse. I am very familiar with the area you are speaking of and there is NO way once again that one would not know that the area is gang infested. You didn't mention how old your Sons are but as from one parent to another I would strongly suggest that you find out what is going on in your area. This will help you to keep your boys away from these issues. Do you take the bus?

[loretjord7]

Browncutie,
The Englewood area was a rough neighborhood to live in when I was coming up. I did not live in the area but I did do a semester at Englewood Hight School. My son was chased to the trainstation when he was going to Kennedy King College. With me having all boys, that was not one of the areas I wanted to raise them in. That area is made up of generation or families that have lived in the area. Like  it is said, "there are gangs no matter were you live" ,but that area advertises. Now I was raised in an area that is even still a very pretty area, quite on most  evenings, no Griffie, no hanging out,  made up of homeowners that keep their homes up. So just to  drive threw you can not tell that this a gang area. Now, what you can do is ask your local police what gang is affiliated with that area. I believe they still wear their hats a certain way, All gang members  wear the white T's,  and jeans, just some of the things to look for .

[Katzmeow999]

Browncutie,

Ok, they must have cleaned up the streets. removed all the thugs from the corners and sandblasted the buildings because I just drove through there and it looked the same as it did when I lived as a matter of fact it was worse. I am very familiar with the area you are speaking of and there is NO way once again that one would not know that the area is gang infested. You didn't mention how old your Sons are but as from one parent to another I would strongly suggest that you find out what is going on in your area. This will help you to keep your boys away from these issues. Do you take the bus?

Angie,

Did you not read my entire post? I never said that they cleaned the streets and removed all the thugs.I did say that if you walk the next block west there is a major issue, if you go 2 blocks south. Another issue!!! I never said it wasn't gang infested, however, not on my block and not on several blocks going east. They do hang around a store that I used to frequent. I never said Englewood was gang-free...I just said that I don't see names of gangs spray-painted everywhere. I do see what this area is called and "So & So Loves So & So" on the walls more than I see gang names. I also see lots of R.I.P "Whoever" on walls and garages as well. Yes I do know Englewood is gang infested, but like I said...going east...you may see some guys on the corner, hanging in a certain store. Going west...all over the place. But not east.

And I am aware of what is going on in my area...hence the reason the only times my kids go outside is when they walk fromthis building and to the car or to the bus to go to school. And the bus=stop is right downthe street, I'm not saying that anything can't happen to them. I know what's going on in this area, which is why I watch who they speak to, I don't let them hang outside. When we do go outside, we go away from this area.

For the record, I never said E-Wood was gang free nor gang infested...I know that it is, however, i do not see (names of gangs) spray-painted all over the place. maybe you are driving through a different area!!

[Dazzler]

I can't even imagine what it must be like for mothers in the city trying to protect their kids from gangs and violence on the streets.  It must be nervewracking worrying about your kids when they leave the house.  I grew up in the near west suburbs and travelled all over the city when I was a teen.  I took buses and L's everywhere.  I had friends in all neighborhoods and I was never afraid to go anywhere even after dark.  Times sure have changed.   I moved even further west to raise my own sons and the only 'gangs' I ever worried about were the girls that were beating down the door over my sons....  Sometimes we suburbanites don't realize the terror you mothers must feel knowing your kids can't go outside to play or hangout at the local corner store or even walk the streets with friends at night...

It's disgusting that these gangs can hold whole neighborhoods hostage with their violence.  I feel for ya Moms....

[Jims]

I agree with you, Daz. I know there is a gang problem over here but I don't see it. Every now and again there will be an article in the paper about a gang round-up by the police and they'll talk about some bad-ass gang that's been causing havoc. Part of the problem, too, is that all the violence doesn't make the news. Probably a good thing in a way but it does have an insulating effect on those who live in areas away from gang activity. If it's a suburban crime, it makes headlines. If it's an inner-city crime, it gets a column inch buried on page 9 of the Metro section. John Edwards said there are two Americas, and he took a lot of flak for his comments. But he's right.

[Amarie]

Browncutie,

Please don't get offended at what I post. This is my opinion and what I know. I drove though ENGLEWOOD. I have family still in the area. Your original post said you don't even know what Gang is in your area. Well, I am not sure how long you have been in Englewood but I can tell you this by the time I was 10 yrs old I knew what gang was there. My Mother certainly knew and she is what most people consider Geeks. I would walk past boys on the streets and hear them calling out the gang they were with as they were talking to each other so if by the rare chance this is no longer spray painted on the building you can certainly hear the young men and women talking about. If you witness the Harper students in action then I am positive they would say the names of their gangs. I have younger cousins who attended Harper last year so I know this to be factual.   

Maybe I misread what you wrote maybe you are saying you don't know of the gang on the block you live on because chances are if there are issues on the next block west and 2 blocks south then the gang is known in the AREA.

I too once lived in the City with my Children I didnt live in Englewood by the time I had kids but I was still in the inner city and my Children couldn't go out to play in the yard. They were young and I moved before I had to worry about gangs and that stuff but I am not so removed from this reality. As I said I still have family in the area.

What I was ultimately saying is if you don't know what Gang is in the area you should because as a parent we have to be aware of these things. I believe the neighborhood you live in doesn't define who you are, however, for alot of kids in that area and other inner city neighborhood the gangs are their family because their own families are not taking an active part in their lives. 

I agree with you monitoring your children. I live in an area where gangs are not seen as much (I am sure they exist here I hear about mostly little cliques the kids come up with but too me it is still a gang) but I monitor by teenagers at all times. There is so much they can get into gangs, drugs, all kinds of things. 

[Amarie]

 I believe they still wear their hats a certain way, All gang members  wear the white T's,  and jeans, just some of the things to look for .

loretjord7,

You are right about wearing the hats cocked a certain way but the clothes you mentioned I'd have to debate that. Not everyone who wears the white T's and jeans are gang members. The kids are so into fashion that they can't afford and the cheapest way to dress without looking out of place or out of style is the white T's and Jeans. The rappers were the white ts and jeans.

My Son wears the white T's and jeans and he is not in a gang. He will make sure his shirts are the whites he can get them. It only costs like $8 for a tee shirt when the average designer shirt costs $75-100. So, the kids go for these cheaper clothes. My Son wears other things as well and you are right most inner city kids this is mostly what they wear but when you are a kid that has to take care of yourself you get what you can afford.   

You are right about generations of families being in Englewood. Its like an honor there for a man to be in a gang and then his Son comes along and is in the same gang. I have seen families encourage this type of behavior. Sad, but true.

[Katzmeow999]

Browncutie,

Please don't get offended at what I post. This is my opinion and what I know. I drove though ENGLEWOOD. I have family still in the area. Your original post said you don't even know what Gang is in your area. Well, I am not sure how long you have been in Englewood but I can tell you this by the time I was 10 yrs old I knew what gang was there. My Mother certainly knew and she is what most people consider Geeks. I would walk past boys on the streets and hear them calling out the gang they were with as they were talking to each other so if by the rare chance this is no longer spray painted on the building you can certainly hear the young men and women talking about. If you witness the Harper students in action then I am positive they would say the names of their gangs. I have younger cousins who attended Harper last year so I know this to be factual.   

Maybe I misread what you wrote maybe you are saying you don't know of the gang on the block you live on because chances are if there are issues on the next block west and 2 blocks south then the gang is known in the AREA.

I too once lived in the City with my Children I didnt live in Englewood by the time I had kids but I was still in the inner city and my Children couldn't go out to play in the yard. They were young and I moved before I had to worry about gangs and that stuff but I am not so removed from this reality. As I said I still have family in the area.

What I was ultimately saying is if you don't know what Gang is in the area you should because as a parent we have to be aware of these things. I believe the neighborhood you live in doesn't define who you are, however, for alot of kids in that area and other inner city neighborhood the gangs are their family because their own families are not taking an active part in their lives. 

I agree with you monitoring your children. I live in an area where gangs are not seen as much (I am sure they exist here I hear about mostly little cliques the kids come up with but too me it is still a gang) but I monitor by teenagers at all times. There is so much they can get into gangs, drugs, all kinds of things. 

Angie,

I don't get offended easily. It takes much more than that to offend me. Hell...I was in court on a civil matter on Thursday and the judge referred to all black people as Negroes and that didn't offend me.

I used to live on the same block but the very next block from Harper. I remember being able to tell what time it was because the police would block off the street that Harper was on, they would just walk down to Marquette and do their business there. it doesn't come on this side of 63rd street. I had a neighbor in another building I used to live in, who's brother came from Oklahoma and he brought the gang element from Harper to our block and you can believe the older people on the street went to our landlord and told him and said if he didn't get rid of them, they would do it themselves. This block I live on now is unique.

I've been in Englewood since 1997, I used to live further east than I do know and there were certainly gang members on my block, but aside from saying "Hi" to them and flirting with them on occasion I didn't go into what they were and it was not spray-painted on the houses as it was also a nice street.

Back to Harper, they tried to send my son to Harper because that is our neighborhood school. I went to CPS and told them if they even tried to send him there, I would move out to the suburbs and live in a studio apartment if I had to. I know Harper has it's issues. It's sad....but Harper is considered the dumping ground for students who could not get into anywhere else. It just so happen, my son had only selected "Selective Enrollment Schools" and a few college prep schools. And the selective enrollment only took a certain number of kids, and he just happened to get into one of the college prep schools at the last minute.

I do worry about them approaching him, as he's 15 and at that age where they want him to join. If we need something from the store, you better believe, i will wait until he gets here and go get it myself.

[loretjord7]

The quote on the white tee shirt was posted wrong, not saying all gang members only, wear white Tees, but that you can not distinguish a gang member by the white Tees. And that was only mentioned because she said she did not know what gangs were in her niegborhood. I wear white tee shirts and jeans and I am 50 something.  I know that I am not in a gang, just have a gang of sons in which I love. snowmangel

[Amarie]

Browncutie,

It is really sad that families have to do as your doing to protect their children. I watched my Mother do it iwht my Brothers and I do believe if you are active in your Childrens lives you can have more influence than gangs most times anyway.

Loretjord,

Ok, I misread what you posted. Sorry.   

[Kinnysbaby]

I work at Er, i see gang results everyday and it is sad, either a stabbing, battery,gun shot wound. I fill out paperwork for the body snatchers to take to the morgue at least once a week. In prison they are putting gang member at TAMMS, those that have been in prison all these yrs aren't involved with the gangs anymore, they just want to do their time and go home. I get phone calls from parents if their kids are in our er because they have not come home after school, etc, it is so sad.

[Katzmeow999]

Okay,


Now while I may not know what gang is where. I just checked my myspace account and saw I had a new friend request, and as I do with all friend requests, I check their page before I add or deny. Immediately, I recognized two "gang" symbols....here is the link to the page of the requester: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=322995392

Look in the first video which is on the left hand side of the page and then look down on the right hand side of the page at the teddy bear. I may be a geek, but I'm not stupid. I do recognize what gang that is!!

[Forevermah]

Who updates this myspace you just posted, if he is inside? 

[Esmom]

Angi thanks for the wake up call. I am older and don't get out much but I have grandsons and the small town we live in has problems with spray paint on buildings, so I will be more aware now and talk to them about this.

[Dazzler]

I don't know what teddybear you're talking about but the first video he posted is a commericial for the Gangster Disciples.  I don't know how he maintains a myspace while he's in Shawnee CC but I'm sure one of the CO's or the IDOC people that visit here everyday will be asking him dat question real soon.....

[Dazzler]

Gang members have never been known for their brilliance.... *(%$#

[Jims]

Browncutie - can't believe the judge's "Negroes" comment. Holy shit. What did he say? I heard a comment on one of the news program this past week referring to the "Colored" vote in South Carolina!! Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe we are ALL "colored." Some of us are tinted a little darker or lighter than others is all.

I would have to move if I were you. It would be too scary to think that my 15-year-old was being subjected to daily doses of gang rhetoric. Even though he's now in a good school that minimizes his contact with gang bangers, it would still scare me to think that every time he goes outside he could be approached by them. It is going to be an anxious few years for you. Do you talk to him about gangs? I have a 17-year-old son and I think I'd have to club him over the head, throw him in the trunk of my car, and drive him out to Amish country if I ever discovered he was involved in a gang.