Student Resources / Gangs (Secret Societies) & Gang-Like Activity

The Atlanta Public School System maintains a zero tolerance for gang activities on any school campus or school sponsored event. Violators will be reported immediately to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Violators will also be subject to immediate suspension or expulsion. Students may also be disciplined for gang-like activity. Gang-like activity is any association, or group of three or more persons associated in fact, whether formal or informal, which engages in a pattern of gang activity. The existence of such organization, association, or group of individuals associated in fact may be established by evidence of a common name or common identifying signs, symbols, tattoos, graffiti, or attire or other distinguishing characteristics. Gangs, as defined in state statue, are forbidden to gather or co-mingle at school system sites or school-related events. Individuals who engage in gang-related behavior at school sites or at school-sponsored activities disrupt the educational process and promote an atmosphere where unlawful acts or serious violations of school rules may occur.

Examples of gang-related behavior may include, but are not limited to:

1. The presence of any apparel, jewelry, accessory or manner of grooming which,

    by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, symbol, or any other attribute

    indicates or implies gang membership or affiliation with such a group.

2. Initiation, hazing, intimidation, and/or related activities of such group affiliations

   that are likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation

    or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to students or staff.

3. Threatening to commit, or actually committing, any crime with the purpose of

    terrorizing another, causing the evacuation of a school system facility or

    school bus, causing disruption to the orderly operation at any school system

    facility, or acting in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or

    disruption.

4. Using, employing, or relying upon gang membership or affiliation to threaten,

    intimidate, or to harass students and/or staff.

5. The use of certain hand signals or gestures that may, in any way, be linked to

   a gang or gang-related activity or behavior.

6. Graffiti that may, in any way, be linked to a gang or gang-related activity

   or behavior.

7. Identifying oneself as a member of a gang.

8. Recruiting or soliciting membership in a gang or gang-related organization.

Students who engage in gang-related behaviors are subject to consequences in accordance with the school system’s progressive discipline procedures up to, and including suspension, expulsion, and referral to the appropriate legal authorities.