Raleigh Action Committee

Crips! Bloods! or just wannabe's

May 17, 2003

What if I told you there are gang members right in your neighborhood? Would you believe that Craigmont was given the "honor" of having the most gang member attendees in Memphis City Schools? I could not believe it! Not here in Raleigh! Say it aint so. Well, needless to say, I don't think that was entirely accurate. I won't go as far to say that Craigmont is gang free, but I will not say there are no gang members at Craigmont. Gangs are pretty common in America today(sad to say), and require little criteria to get into one. All that is required is:

1. A person with low self-esteem
2. A person with no friends and needs a place to call "home"
3. Most importantly, a child with no parental involvement and lack of a positive role model.

All 3 of these ingrediants make trouble for a community. The first sign of a gang problem is spray painting on bridges and abandoned homes. This is becoming a problem along Raleigh La-Grange. Gang members have marked there territory with gang signs and markings.

I think alot of this "gang" activity comes from the "wannabe" juvenile. This "wannabe" gang member is probably more dangerous than the "OG" (original gangster). This "wanabe" has something to prove and will do it at all cost. If we contain the "wannabe", then we will reduce the amount of trash signs that is displayed in our neighborhood.