The
Gang Unit's primary goal is to prevent gangs
from taking a foothold within the City of Cypress.
This is accomplished through proactive enforcement
efforts and high visibility patrol in areas where gang
members tend to congregate. The Gang Unit maintains
criminal intelligence and provides training to
officers within the department. They also provide
gang awareness training to citizens and community
groups. Although Cypress does not have a significant
gang problem, gang members are contacted within
the City on a daily basis. The Gang Unit closely
monitors gang members who reside within the City.
Because Cypress is surrounded by cities that
do have a significant gang problem, this unit
is a necessity in ensuring a quiet, safe environment
for the citizens of Cypress.
What is a gang?
Section
186.22 of the California Penal Code defines
a "criminal street gang" as: "Any
ongoing organization, association, or group of three or more persons,
whether formal or informal, having as one of its primary activities
the commission of... criminal acts... having a common name or common
identifying sign or symbol, and whose members individually or collectively
engage in, or have engaged in, a pattern of criminal gang activity."
What are the warning signs of gang membership I should be aware of as a parent?
- Change in attitude to include violent reactions, disruptive behavior, dislike, and refusal to submit to authority (parents, school, and police).
- Becomes secretive regarding whereabouts or activities.
- Change in friends; does not bring friends to his/her home.
- School attendance becomes sporadic, and grades begin to decline.
- Change in type of clothing selection, such as style, color, or type. Friends or associates dress similarly. Clothing may be altered with gang writing, such as hats, or T-shirts.
- Increase in gang-type graffiti on schoolbooks, notebooks, or papers. This may also be found on bedroom walls or other locations in the room. They may also mark themselves in the form of graffiti or tattoos.
- Son or daughter receives calls from subjects who refuse to identify themselves or identify themselves with a nickname only. They may also refer to your son or daughter by a nickname.
How do I know if graffiti is gang related, and what do I do if I spot it in my neighborhood?
Much of the graffiti located within the city of Cypress is not gang related,
but is linked to groups referred to as "Taggers." Normally, taggers
are young teenagers who consider themselves street artists
and take pride in putting their moniker or nickname on walls, signs, sidewalks,
or other areas. Gang-related graffiti is normally easier to read, whereas tagger
graffiti uses symbols and letters that are difficult to read. Gang-related
graffiti can be distinguished as follows:
- Normally written in block-style letters.
- Might be done in gang color (blue or red).
- Might contain moniker list (nicknames of members of the gang).
- Might be crossed out by a rival gang.
- Usually done in areas where gang activity is prevalent.
For more information:
State of California, Office of Attorney General's Crime and Violence Prevention
Center - Tips on gang and youth violence prevention: safestate.org/index