Youth, Gangs and God

About the Book

Americans are losing the battle against gangs! This year there have been over 2000 deaths due to gang violence in this country alone. Although the Justice Department has not yet declared our streets a war zone, our children are dying at an alarming rate! We have to come to the knowledge that many of our children are joining gangs, thus selecting death through violence. Children, who choose not to join the gang culture, also die as a result of the gang violence that has penetrated our communities.

As a community of concerned parents, educators, law makers and enforcers, pastors, and community leaders, we can no longer stand by and watch while our children simply pass away.

This book is for those who want to explore the concepts that attract and lure our children into gangs. The reader will increase their knowledge of gang intelligence in these areas:

- Gang identification
- Methods of secret communication
- Gang initiations
- Influence of music on gang culture
- Program strategies

Most Americans are still in denial about what a Gang is and where they are prevalent. Are you in denial?

The author, Michael Leonard Sr., Criminal Justice Consultant and CEO of Walk on Water Enterprises, uncovers many truths to the riddle of crime in America. He unveils the secrets of gangs, their language, hand signs and graffiti (the newspaper of the streets). Yes, if crime and gang violence is a concern to you, then this is the place to find the answers.

About the Author

Michael Leonard Sr. is a criminal justice consultant, motivational speaker and staff development trainer. He is currently employed by the NYC Law Enforcement Department. Mr. Leonard holds training certifications from the US Justice Department, New York State Commission on Correction, and the New York State Municipal Police Training Council. Mr. Leonard is also certified from the Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Task Force at St. Petersburg College to teach Criminal Street Gangs Investigations. He is a member of the East Coast Gang Investigators Association.

Mr. Leonard has more than 30 years experience working with youth and gangs. He was employed in earlier years with the Police Athletic League, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and NYC Housing Authority.

'Saving lives' is Officer Leonard's mission; and one way to interrupt the direction of gang-involved youth is to provide knowledge to those working directly with our community's children and adolescents. As a Criminal Justice Consultant for many years, Officer Leonard is very familiar with gangs and how youth are drawn to these organizations. He is knowledgeable about gang identifiers, gang characteristics, nation sets, group symbols (e.g., graffiti and hand signs), gang allies/enemies, and inception behaviors. He teaches people how to distinguish between youth involved in gangs and youth who just are making fashion statements. Mr. Leonard travels around the country teaching Gang Awareness to nonprofit and community based organization staff, practitioners, community corrections staff, workforce development professionals, policy makers, criminal justice staff, churches, schools and others.