Gang prevention

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:

 

  • 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.

  • Active / Admitted gang members
  • Siblings of active gang members
  • Associates with gang members
  • Sexually exploited 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  • Becomes withdrawn from regular activities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

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

  • 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.

  • Spending quality time with their children and getting involved in their education.
  • Knowing their 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 their children's whereabouts.

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.

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.

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.

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.
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