Gang prevention and exiting strategies

Providing support for at risk individuals

The Winnipeg Police Service can help individuals at risk of being involved in gang activity. We can connect at-risk individuals with necessary supports where possible through government and community agencies.

Are you, or do you know an at-risk individual? Do you need help?

Reach out or send a referral to the Winnipeg Police Service Gang Prevention Coordinator

There are three ways to get help:

What is a gang?

  • A group of three or more persons who commit crimes for material benefit and/or financial benefit.
  • They may identify themselves through a common name, symbol, color, sign, graffiti or clothing.

Signs/Indicators someone may benefit from a referral to the Winnipeg Police Service Gang Prevention Coordinator

  • Active / Admitted gang members
  • Siblings of active gang members
  • Associates with gang members
  • Sexually xxploited females
  • Associates with other wannabee gang members
  • Possible / Known gang intentions of recruitment
  • Easily influenced individual
  • Drug dealers
  • Escalating criminal behavior
  • First time young offenders
  • Limited family and positive supports
  • Becomes withdrawn from regular activities
  • Engages in vandalism or delinquent behavior
  • Has a sibling who is already a known gang member
  • Limited family support and may be relied on to support themselves
  • Limited positive supports

Possible signs of a person at-risk for gang enrollment

  • Owns more than one cell phone
  • Isolated from friends and family  
  • Shows signs of tobacco, alcohol or drug use
  • Changes circle of friends and desire too much privacy
  • Carries a weapon or conceals personal items
  • Makes impulsive and/or excessive purchases (clothes, jewelry, car, etc.)
  • Has large sums of money from an unexplained source
  • Uses a gang's specific colors, emblems or hand signals
  • Has had negative interactions with police

Where Do Gangs Recruit?

  • School
  • Parks
  • Parties
  • Recreation centers
  • Through friends
  • In your own back yard
  • Online

Facts about gangs

  • The majority of gang members are male.
  • Almost half of gang members are under age 18.
  • Gang members are from all races, cultures, social economic groups.
  • The goal of a gang is to participate in illegal activities using violence and intimidation.
  • Females in gangs are regularly utilized in the sex trade and/or exploited.

Parents can help kids to stay away from gang activity by:

  • Spending quality time with their children and getting involved in their education.
  • Knowing thier children's friends and their families.
  • Teaching their children how to cope with peer pressure.
  • Helping children develop good conflict/resolution skills.
  • Encouraging children to participate in positive after school activities with adult supervision (e.g. organized sports, youth groups).
  • Challenging thier children's whereabouts.

Resources available

Parents, teachers, school counsellors, youth workers, elders and other community members play a vital role in helping children and youth to avoid gang involvement. Services are available for you to call upon and may be found in the attached resource guides:

Manitoba 211

211 Manitoba

  • A searchable online database of government, health, and social services that are available across Manitoba.
  • The service helps Manitobans who are looking to find the right community or social resource but don’t know where to start.
  • Services are grouped together into categories that include food and clothing, housing and homelessness, health, mental health, employment, newcomers, children and parenting, and youth.
  • Manitoba 211 offers a comprehensive database for youth services

project Gang Proof

Manitoba Justice Project Gang Proof Resource Line

  • 1-800-691-4264 a non-emergency resource line for youth, parents and others dealing with gang-related issues.
  • Callers will be referred to the appropriate resources.

Manitoba Government

Turnabout Program

  • Winnipeg (204) 945-5609 / Manitoba 1-866-276-5081
  • Assists children under 12 who have come into conflict with the law.
  • The program is a partnership between provincial agencies, community groups and local police services.
 

Gang Prevention Videos

Click on the icon in the top right corner of the video to see all the crime prevention videos in this collection.

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