Look for large amounts of plastic bags in the yard or on the porch of the house in questions. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. ), They have unexplained cash or new clothes/jewelry beyond what you know they can afford, They have been in trouble with the police. Keep pestering them, or call a different police station to report your information and what the local police haven't done. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. This article has been viewed 417,682 times. Many meth deals occur late at night. the guys started chasing her and she was stuck in an alley behind a truck. If you suspect that there is illegal drug activity in your neighborhood, you are right to be concerned. If you see a car connected with the drug-related activity, take note of the license plate. Fortunately, most cities have made the process non-intimidating. Are there dogs on the property? Street gangs typically adopt names that are related to their respective neighborhoods (street names, housing projects, regional names, etc.) This is largely the case in Norfolk, where local law enforcement has identified more than 15 active local street gangs, including the following: If you suspect or witness gang activity in your community, it is important to know exactly what you are dealing with. Gangs and gang activity don’t just pop up in a neighborhood overnight. Use common sense and get the proper authorities involved if you suspect there is a problem. (i live in Los angeles) but everything is the same. Could coronavirus be hurting your sex life? Ask the person handling your call who you can speak to about reporting drug-related activity. Use a hotline or online form. Explain to your child that they SHOULD NOT: Go to parties or social events sponsored by gangs, Use gang-related hand signs, symbols, or language, contact Norfolk’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Community Outreach Coordinators, Learn more about anonymous tip lines in Norfolk, tips for how to organize a Neighborhood Watch program, Virginia Rules also offers information on gang activity, They admit to hanging out with known troublemakers or kids in gangs, They show an unusual interest in one or two particular colors of clothing or a specific logo, They switch to dark or all black clothing when they go out at night, They use peculiar hand signals when communicating with friends, They prefer to be called by a new nickname, They have graffiti in their bedroom on items such as books, posters, and bedroom walls, They have/lie about unexplained injuries (fighting-related bruises, scrapes/cuts to knuckles, etc. You can phone that office to report your information. Learn how to manage stress like a therapist. Crack is another common street drug, and is often found in areas with gang activity. First created 2015, Currently under construction as of September 2018 What pop culture subjects do I have a personal connection to? It is possible a clerk may take your report and pass it along to the appropriate department. What's something you don't have to be 70 to realize? Is it just me or are people more easily offended today than they were many years ago? Crack is often smoked from a small glass pipe, so make sure to pay attention if you see those lying around. is there anything i can do? You can even keep your identity anonymous. Note patterns, but also notice if those patterns change. By using our site, you agree to our. Meth is sold in small baggies. wearing or displaying a particular color, Increased reports of fights and arguments on school property, Violent incidents reported in your neighborhood, Increased reports of car break-ins and theft in your neighborhood. If a house is occupied, but the blinds or shades are always drawn, this is another possible sign that something illegal is happening. – Let your child know the truth about street gangs. % of people told us that this article helped them. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. For more tips, including how reporting drug activity helps your community, read on! they started shooting at her with my 3 year old son and niece in the car! There are several steps you can take if you are aware of illegal drug activity. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. – The biggest way you can prevent and reduce gang involvement starts at home. However, this is completely voluntary. ; Work with local law enforcement – If you identify gang activity happening in your neighborhood, the police want to know. Also be on the lookout for people standing on corners and talking to others down the street on a two-way radio. Get your answers by asking now. http://www.lyndhurst-oh.com/printnews_2013/printnews21.pdf, http://police.arlingtonva.us/confidential-drug-activity-tip-site/, http://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime, http://thelawdictionary.org/article/how-to-stay-anonymous-when-reporting-drug-dealing/, http://www.belleville.net/index.aspx?NID=470, http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/how-to-get-rid-of-the-local-drug-dealer/Content?oid=875133, http://mpdc.dc.gov/page/what-you-can-do-help, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow.