Definition of a gang
Group of 3 or more persons who:
- self identify as a desperate entity from community by special clothing, vocab, hand signals, names
- engage in criminal activity
- is it illegal to be in a gang?
Street gangs
Criminal organizations formed on street and operating throughout the United States
Prison gangs
Criminal organizations that originated within the penal system and operate within correctional facilities throughout the US
Outlaw motorcycle OMGS
Organizations who’s members use their motorcycle clubs as conduits for criminal enterprise
Prevalence of gangs and. Gang related crime
- 1.4 mil active street, prison, and OMG gang members comprising more than 33,000 gangs in the US
- responsible for 48% of violent crime in most jurisdictions
- 90% in several other jurisdictions
- 1/2 of murders in Chicago are attributed to gang violence
Current trends
- gang problems reported by law enforcement peaked in mid 1990s
- then decreased until early 2000’s
- since early 2000’s gang problems have increased again
Reasons: increase gang factions, decrease influence of older gang member influence
General characteristics
- 19-20 most common age
- males outnumbered females wide margin
- traditional gangs average about 180 members whereas specialty gangs average only about 25 members
- 8-15% of youths reported being a part of a gang at some point in life
- highest in large cities
Why youths join gangs
- Attractions (pull into gangs)
- fun, money, respect - Risk factors (push into gangs)
- antisocial behavior,
- alcohols and drug use
- mental health probs
- victimization
Gang prevention and intervention
Intervention
- Strong law enforcement (arrests)
- Legislative (passing laws)
Prevention
- Providing youths opportunities (recreation, work)
- Improving schools
Chicago examples prevention
- Ceasefire
- CPD gang violence prevention program
- Safe passage
Prison gangs
- group inmates who band together using organizational structure
- wide range of violent and illegal activities, protistiution, drug selling, gambling, loan sharking
gang membership among prisons estimated
- 11.7% federal
- 13.4% stare
Female gang members
Stereotype:
Stereotype: are sex objects for male gang members
Based largely on u founded accounts from male members
Youths are pressured by peers and adults to join gangs
Myth or reality?
Myth
Gangs overpower youths with imitation rituals
Myth or reality
Myth
Once youth join a gang they are pretty much lost for good
Myth or reality
Myth
