Saturday, November 20, 2010

2 ex-gang members say, "Don't imitate us !"



The way I dealt with my former students who were directly and deeply involved in crime
and secret societies and those actively on the fringe of the same lifestyle is quite simple and classic.
Since I was fully aware there was not just a handful of cases but a frightening number of cases, all requiring in-depth internal investigation, and with many complicated twists and turns of differing complexity...I set out my personal philosophy and approach early and made it clear to one and all.
My approach? My strategy?
I won't reveal everything in detail here except to say it was MOST successful in keeping all the ss
and other elements from flexing their muscles where I was and in the vicinity where I was...and even further afield.
I used the "ICE and WATER" approach in dealing with ss chaps.
As you and I know, and the ss chaps too know... WATER is liquid and in that form is "soft".
A few drops of water on you won't kill you.
But ICE is real HARD compared to liquid water. A block of hard ice can kill you.
My strategy is always offer them a choice...if they want me to be water or ice.
That is choose if you want to play softball or hardball. But the choice is theirs.
I paint the scenario for those considering hardball.
I lay out the positive picture for those who opt for softball.
Having laid the background and drawing a RED line between the two...there's no middle ground
for any compromise, my session with these chaps begin. It can last from just 5 minutes ( super-quick confessions to crime and involvement) or over several days or even weeks.
I switched between "ICE" and "WATER" when dealing with such types.
When they aggravated their actions, even while under investigation, and upped the ante,
I came down on them like a TON of ICE.
They experienced the fear of the LAW but also the love I had for them as misguided kids.
Many are now gainfully employed or still studying.
The large majority I dealt with successfully are today on the straight and narrow. I have full confidence they will remain so.
Only a handful may still have to learn the hard way.
Some have served time in prison, come out and remained ok.

2 comments:

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

'Don't imitate us' but they must also say, 'Don't intimidate us!'

Unk Dicko said...

Absolutely Andy!
We should not and NEVER FEAR INTIMIDATION. I will share actual incidents of such that so TRAUMATISED not only students but senior, adult men teachers...they almost wanted to resign their job on the spot and others so affected they openly declared that "they can't possibly do any teaching" for that day!
Many of these kind of horrific OPEN SS INTIMIDATION have never made it to the press nor our easily "frightened" MOE or to TV or to Police.
I'll explain why later. It's simply no use. Such DIRECT CONFRONTATIONS MUST ALWAYS BE DEALT WITH DIRECTLY, PREFERABLY IN FRONT OF THE LARGEST CROWD POSSIBLE...IN SCHOOL, IN FRONT OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL STAFF AND STUDENT ASSEMBLY.
Schools make the most serious MISTAKES by dealing with these ss chaps always fearfully behind closed doors.
OK, will not give away too much at this stage...