Where I reside, Silver Spring Maryland (Montgomery County), there are no gang related activities. I live in a suburban area and the law enforcement are very strict and the area is safe. However, gang crimes exist in Prince George's County and Baltimore City, Maryland. Maryland had passed ordinances prohibiting loitering, and many forms of aggressive public behavior, such as, consuming alcohol in public, throwing up gang signs and disturbing the peace by playing music too loud. Law enforcement police attempted to discourage gang membership by prohibiting behavior that relates to gang activities. Such as, wearing gang colors or using gestures that communicate gang affiliation. Prince George’s County (PG) and Baltimore, prohibits individuals from wearing gang related colors and more in public or from making any utterances or gestures that communicate gang membership or insult to other street gangs. …show more content…
As always, the first step would be parents getting more involved (Adults and authority figures need to be highly visible). The banning of anything related to gang membership including weapons, violence, illegal activity and gang-identified clothing, and gestures. Confiscating items such as bandannas and sports apparel that may indicate gang involvement could also help. Conduct leadership training classes to assist these youths, counsel students coping with troubling violence in and near school, offer youths, especially juvenile gang members, special outreach and after school programs as an alternative to gang membership and give them respect and exhibit genuine concern. These are just a few ways in addressing criminal youth