Winnipeg is a major city in the middle of Canada which has been experiencing a rapid growth in street gangs. This is a great worry for the parents and the educators of the young people who are at risk of being drawn into this life style.  It poses many problems for the school administrators who are given the task of keeping their buildings safe and secure.  The issue of preventing young people from entering street gangs can only be managed effectively if there is organized co-operation and communication between the home, the school and the various agencies that work with youth.

An overview of current trends in Manitoba indicate that: the Canadian chapter of the Hell's Angels  set up a chapter in Winnipeg in 2000 by using a local outlaw biker club called the Los Brovos as their new prospects.  As well, the Hell's Angels have a puppet club called the Zig Zag Crew which acts as a conduit between other gangs for business.  As well, the Bandidos Biker club has started a chapter in Winnipeg in 2005.  This new organization of outlaw biker clubs are having a major impact on Winnipeg/s gang scene.  The street gang scene in Winnipeg is dominated to a large extent by three aboriginal gangs, the Manitoba Warriors, Native Syndicate and the Indian Posse.  A smaller street gang called the Deuce, with connections to the Manitoba Warriors, is a rival gang to the Indian Posse.  Other gangs such as the Crips, Mad Cows, Mob, Mir, Cash Money Brothers, and Asian gangs like the Chuys and Hung Hong Boyz have been increasing their presence in Winnipeg.  Other street gangs draw their members from the various cultural groups that live in  Winnipeg.

The Winnipeg Police Service has listed over 2000 street gang members on their registry.    In order to deal with this major criminal influence the Winnipeg Police have a street gang unit which works on intelligence with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.  Schools have a difficult time in implementing effective interventions to deal with the street gang problem.  Some positive steps that can be taken to decrease the effects of gang membership and recruitment among the students are

• developing and enforcing a strict Code of Conduct that includes the expectation that problems will be solved with words rather than violence
• high expectations about acceptable language and appropriate behavior
• the use of mediation programs by staff and students
• the prohibition of gang-related clothing, jewelry, tattoos, graffiti and paraphernalia
• the message that gang activities will not be tolerated by students of the school
• close supervision by staff and high visibility of staff in the building
• immediate contact with the parents by school staff about issues of concern
• conducting programs like the Youth Intervention Project, developed by Winnipeg School Division staff, which has lessons on the law, the safe/unsafe tough continuum, understanding exploitation, knowing about gangs and groups, safety planning, prostitution as well as recognizing high and low risk choices
• the reporting, recording and removal of graffiti
• keeping school records on all known school gang members and associates
• placing surveillance cameras in strategic areas such as entrances, high traffic hallways, and known gang hangouts in the school building
• communication devices and high tech supports for staff who are supervising such as walkie- talkies, cell phones, a portable video camera, or a digital camera
• networking with the Police Services, Probation Officers and Child and Family Service workers
• providing the opportunity to become involved in strong recreational programs in the school
• implementing a Choices Program for high risk youth which includes mentoring with good role models, wilderness training, skill building in the parent community and academic tutoring

The Winnipeg School Division No.1 conducts a gang prevention program titled Choices which has had encouraging early results.   As well, grassroots organizations like Winnipeg Boys and Girls Clubs work closely with at risk youth in the Inner City of Winnipeg.