dentifying marks on their bodies. Many gangs also adopt certain types of hairstyles and communicate through the use of hand signals and graffiti on the walls, streets, school work and school property. It must be understood that it is not illegal to be in a gang and indeed many adults are currently involved in activities that meet a Webster’s definition for a gang. However, many gangs of today, especially youthful gangs, break the law to provide funding for gang activities or to further the gang’s reputations on the streets. Gangs may identify with a large city gang or remain locally turf oriented. Over the last several years in Arkansas, gangs have made an evolution from being turf and brotherhood oriented to now being involved in one way or another with criminal enterprises. Some sell drugs, some steal cars, some brutalize and rob, some rape and some do all of the above. Local gang members have stated that out of town connections many times bring in guns and drugs from other communities for distribution.Groups that may have started out as a delinquent band of neighborhood toughs have now turned into a violent drug gang, some of whom retain a gang identity for enforcement, collection, or other reasons. Most gang members crave power, or “juice” as it is known in gang slang. Several years ago, a pecking order within a gang may have been established by flying fists. Now it is settled by flying lead. Joining a group known to have a reputation, good or bad, gives a kid purpose looking for something to belong to. Participants have said the mere interaction of members, listening to one another’s problems and sharing the other traits and tribulations today’s teens faced with the drawing card for them to become a banger. Gang members also claim to enjoy the respect or fear of others exhibit around them. Then they say, the money begins flowing, and with that comes all of the things associated with material w...
