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:
- Download and submit a printable form
- Call the Winnipeg Police Service Gang Hotline: 204-986-GANG(4264)
- Email the coordinator at WPS-gangprevention@winnipeg.ca
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- Becomes withdrawn from regular activities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:
211 Manitoba
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Manitoba Justice Project Gang Proof Resource Line
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Turnabout Program
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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.