A gang is a group of teens and young adults that hang out together and are involved in violent, illegal or criminal activity.

Gangs generally give themselves a common name or symbol, and they often choose to wear a certain type of clothing or to display some other identifying item.

Youth gangs are responsible for much of the serious violence in the schools and neighborhoods where they are active.

Gang signs have been seen throughout Butler and into Butler Township. Most of the time the signs are on playground equipment, fences, storage buildings and abandoned buildings.

Some gang members are as young as 12 years old, but the average age of a gang member is 17 to 18 years old. Only about one in four members are ages 15 to 17.

About half of all gang members are 18 and older. These older members are much more likely to be involved in serious and violent crimes than younger members.

Male teens are much more likely to join gangs than female teens.

Teens join gangs for a variety of reasons. They may join to seek excitement, prestige, protection or to feel a sense of belonging, such as being with the in crowd. Few teens are forced to join gangs and most can refuse without retaliation.

For most teens, gang membership is brief. One-half to two-thirds of teen gang members leave the gang by the end of their first year.

The estimated number of gang members in the United States has decreased in the past few years, but the proliferation of gangs and their involvement in drug activity continue to increase throughout the country, particularly in rural and suburban areas.

Street gangs, prison gangs and outlaw motorcycle groups continue to be the predominant, organized retail drug distributors.

Many gangs have evolved from turf-oriented gangs to profit-driven, organized criminal enterprises whose activities include not only retail drug distribution but other aspects of the trade, including smuggling, transportation and wholesale distribution.

Some national-level street gangs, such as Latin Kings, Gangster Disciples and Vice Lords, are highly organized with as many as 100,000 members and associates.

The threats posed by gangs will increase as gangs become better organized, more sophisticated and expand their markets.

Drug dealing, robberies and auto thefts are the basis of street gangs' business.

Illegal drug gangs are among the major supporters of terror organizations, such as al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

Youth gang involvement in drug sales and distribution is widespread, cutting across all demographic sectors, particularly age, race, ethnicity, geographic region and population categories.

Violent conflict between gangs is common and gang members are at least 60 times more likely to be killed than non-gang members.

• Stay away from gangs and gang members. If you look like a gang member or are seen with a gang member, others may mistake you for a gang member, making you an easy target of violent gang behavior.• Do not carry a gun or other weapons, they do not make you safer. Guns often escalate conflict and increases the chance that you will be seriously harmed.Being a gang member wannabe is not cool; it is not a career choice.Even dressing like a gang member can be dangerous and unknowingly put you at risk.• Join an existing group that is working to get rid of gangs in your school or community. If one does not exist, launch your own effort. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's National Youth Network Web site can connect you with national organizations and provide you with information and resources to take action in your community. Visit www.safeyouth.org for information on stopping gang violence.