Jerome Joint School District No. 261

STUDENTS 3310

Gangs and Gang Activity

The Board is committed to ensuring a safe and orderly environment, where learning and teaching may occur void

of physical or psychological disruptions, unlawful acts, or violations of school regulations. Gang activities create an

atmosphere of intimidation in the entire school community. Both the immediate consequences of gang activity

and the secondary effects are disruptive and obstructive to the process of education and school activities. Groups

of individuals which meet the definition of gangs, defined below, shall be restricted from school grounds or school

activities.

A gang is defined as any group of three (3) or more persons, whether formal or informal, that has a common name

or common identifying sign or symbol, who associate together to advocate, conspire, or commit:

1. One or more criminal acts; or

2. Acts which threaten the safety or well‐being of property or persons, including, but not limited to,

harassment and intimidation.

Or as Defined in I.C. 18‐8502

Students on school property or at any school‐sponsored activity shall not:

1. Wear, possess, use, distribute, or sell any clothing, jewelry, emblem, badge, symbol, sign, or other items

which are evidence of membership in or affiliation with any gang and/or representative of any gang;

2. Display tattoos which may be affiliated with any gang and/or representative of any gang;

3. Engage in any act, whether verbal or nonverbal, including gestures or handshakes, showing membership

in or affiliation with any gang and/or that is representative of any gang; or

4. Engage in any act furthering the interest of any gang or gang activity, including, but not limited to:

A. Soliciting membership in or affiliation with any gang;

B. Soliciting any person to pay for protection or threatening another person, explicitly or implicitly,

with violence or with any other illegal or prohibited act;

C. Painting, writing, or otherwise inscribing gang‐related graffiti, messages, symbols, or signs on

school property;

D. Engaging in violence, extortion, or any other illegal act or other violation of school property.

Violations of this policy shall result in disciplinary action, up to and including suspension, expulsion, and/or

notification of police.

Cross Reference:

Legal Reference: IC 33‐506 Organization and Government of Board of Trustees

IC 33‐512 Governance of Schools

IC 18‐8500 Idaho Criminal Gang Enforcement Act

IC 18‐8502 Definitions

Policy History:

Adopted on: 04/25/09

Revised on: 01/25/11