Saying that education is one of the best ways to keep gangs from invading a community, state Rep. Lauren Beth Gash (D-Highland Park) is sponsoring a gang-awareness symposium at Deerfield High School this week.
Officials from the Illinois State Crime Commission will present information on how to detect gang activity, how to halt gang proliferation and how to stop gang violence during Thursday night’s meeting at the school.
Information also will be presented on gang colors, clothing, symbols and hand signs–and what is being done by communities to fight back.
The presentation also will include displays of narcotics, weapons, gang paraphernalia and graffiti.
“We don’t have a problem with gangs in our area, but the time to address the gang problem is before it becomes entrenched in your community,” said Gash, who chairs the House Criminal Judiciary Committee.
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The public is invited to attend the meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the auditorium of the high school at 1959 Waukegan Rd.