Non-Urban Youth Gangs

Research Paper # 102704

Child, Youth Issues
Criminology

A look at the problem of North American non-urban areas and youth gangs

1,182 words () | 9 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper contends that youth gangs can be considered small businesses that serve larger lucrative operations. It shows how an exploration of increased youth gang activity in non-metropolitan areas of North America allows a glimpse of a broader criminal industry centered on front-line drug commodities but also on real estate speculation, fraud, mobility, branch plants, franchises and territories claimed by networks of which youth gangs are a visible symptom.

Outline:
Introduction
Gang Networks
Enforcement Approaches
Discussion

From the Paper:

" A Royal Canadian Mounted Police summary noted the need to examine organized crime and gang trends, as opposed to incidents of youth crime in North America and also Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala as a 20-year phenomenon. (2006) Gangs surface in hinterland, non-metropolitan areas for logical reasons. In Canada, the shift to crystal methamphetamine marketing features demand for rural laboratory sites and preparing Crystal Meth requires supplies of anhydrous ammonia, a common farm fertilizer, so that Manitoba farmers are now told how to guard fertilizer supplies in the presence of dozens of small 'invisible labs'. Motorcycle gangs or other organized criminal networks, as far away as Eastern Europe, need to be understood as the foundation of gangs in all parts of North America. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Calderella, P., J. Sparpnack, T. Loosli and R.W. Merrell. (1996). The Spread of Youth Gangs into Rural Areas - a survey of school counselors. Rural Special Education Quarterly. 15: 18-27.
Donnemeyer, J.F. (1994). Crime and Violence in Rural Communities, in Perspectives on Violence and Substance Abuse in Rural America. Oakbrook, IL: North Central Regional Educational Library, 27-64.
Evans, W.P., C. Fitzgerald, D. Weigel and S. Chvilicek. (1999). Are Rural Gang Members Similar to their Urban Peers? - Implications for Rural Communities. Youth and Society. 30: 267-282.
Johnson, J. (1989). Drug Gangs are now operating in rural states, Justice Department says. New York Times. August 4.
Johnson, S. (2005). North American Transnational Youth Gangs - Breaking the Chain of Violence. Trends in Organized Crime. 9: 38-54.