Abstract
Gang involvement among teenagers is a well-researched topic of interest. Themes such as age of participation, reasons for gang involvement, demographics for gang relations, initiation rights, and family relations among gang members have all been studied and examined in current literature. The first section of this paper presents an overall view of that literature and discusses those studies and their findings. The second section of the paper presents a research plan with the hypothesis that gang activities are complex in nature and can result from many different influences. The study examines the relationship between gang activities and the independent variables and summarizes the methods and procedures used in this study. The paper includes tables.

From the Paper
"Arthur and Erickson (1992) found similar results when they identified four factors that are associated with gang involvement in schools. When youths experience a sense of isolation, they tend to seek others that can relate to them. Additionally, gang members tend to target these youths for membership. The isolated youths feel a need to gain control over their areas, especially in high population school systems, where there is more competition and less likelihood to stand out in sports or other school sponsored activities. In lower income areas, the lack of social structure within the school systems lends to the alienation of youths, and increases even further the likelihood of gang involvement (Arthur and Erickson, 1992)."

Tags:teenage, self, esteem, National, Gang, Crime, Research, Center

Abstract
This paper explains that, although not one organized and unified group, the formal name of the group, "Crips Street Gang" or "Crips", denotes several loosely connected, extremely violent sub-sets of street gangs, who have broken almost every law, that are located not only in its place of origin but also nationally and internationally. Next, the author reviews their history, activities, court trials, investigative techniques used against them, the agencies involved and the role of the media. The paper concludes by evaluating if the Saint Leo University's (SLU) core values of excellence, community, respect, personal development, responsible stewardship and integrity should be applied to law enforcement.

Table of Contents:
Table of Contents
Name of Group
Year Formed or Acknowledged the Crips Street Gang Began
History of the Gang
Current Activities of the Gang
Significant Court Trials of the Gang or Significant Members
Investigative Techniques or Laws That Could be Used against the Gang
Agencies Primarily Involved in Combating the Gang
Media Treatment of the Crips Street Gang
Discussion of SLU Core Values in Relation to the Topic
How are the Actions Involved in Organized Crime Enforcement Embodied or Reflected in the SLU Core Values?
Would Adoption or Implementation of the Core Values Improve the Performance, Quality, or Integrity of law Enforcement against Organized Crime? Why?

From the Paper
"Homicide and assault for the Crips are mostly done in retribution for offenses made against the group or to silence people who have witnessed some of the more dastardly and criminal act of Crips members. Auto theft and burglary may provide some easy cash but do not really provide the large cash or windfall revenue. Thus, the sale of illegal and prohibited substances became the bread and butter of the gang to the point that distribution of these did not remain only at street level but went national as well. This is especially true when the crack or rock cocaine entered the market in the 1980s.
"When crack became the illicit drug of choice by the users, the demand suddenly outpaced the available supply especially since crack users are not those merely belonging to the lower classes but spread into various social classes. Crack crossed all racial, economic and social barriers. It was not only attractive in the ghetto, but it was equally, if not more attractive, to those living in the suburbs. This drug was an instant money maker for these street gangs. With this new kind of market and large demographic area to supply, the Crips started to innovate and improve their means of selling and distribution."

Tags:bandanas cribs belongingness, undercover agents, implementation

Abstract
This paper explains that, although youth gang activities in schools continue to increase, intensify and spread to small towns and rural areas, youth gangs are not new. The author believes that,when institutions and moral visions fail, then individuals will try to manufacture structures to replace them; in the case of youth gangs, the creators of these structures are young people, with little experience of the world and little knowledge of alternatives. This paper points out that a common sign of gang activity moving into the neighborhood or into the region of the school is graffiti, which is one of the most common ways for gangs to communicate, identify their turf, issue challenges and attract other adherents.

Table of Contents
Background
Organization of Review
Historical Overview
Characteristics and Traits
Prevention
Rationale for Study
Summary and Conclusions

From the Paper
"This is an important historical development, representing the extension of gang behavior and gang culture into new regions of the country and with new styles. While the gangs may have begun in imitation of such gangs as the Crips and Bloods, and may still wear typical gang clothing and paraphernalia, they are more of an organization of those youth who are prone to violence and delinquent behavior than they are instances of ethnic turf battles. Again, another movie might be helpful in thinking about these kinds of gangs. The movie Grease portrayed a certain class of young teen-agers who had clothing, culture, and behaviors in common. Yet, they were not seen as youth gangs, but as a faction or clique within the overall high school environment. In 1999, however, these greasers are more likely to be organized into youth gangs of the type identified in Puyallup. They have borrowed some of the behavior and culture from the urban gangs, become more organized, and engaged in more conflict between groups. They tend to harass and intimidate the other students."

Tags:graffiti, alternatives, adults, neighborhood, rural

Abstract
This paper examines how the causes of school violence extend beyond gangs and gang membership, but how gangs are a significant contributing factor. It analyzes how gang members participate in violent acts at school and how the presence of gangs increases both the availability of weapons and the perceived need to seek the protection of a gang. It looks at the typically three different approaches that are used to manage the risk of school violence-- precaution, intervention and enforcement. Precaution includes taking steps to minimize the opportunity for violence such as metal detectors, intervention typically focuses on providing alternative activities for at-risk youths, such as after-school programs and extra-curricular activities and enforcement are those actions taken once an act of violence has occurred.

From the Paper
"Intervention typically focuses on providing alternative activities for at-risk youths, such as after-school programs and extra-curricular activities, and on crisis intervention for students who participate in violent (or pre-violent) acts. Effective intervention requires that school personnel and law enforcement work together to ensure that incidents are reported accurately and that opportunities for early intervention are not missed. However, some school officials note that while law enforcement has been generally helpful in areas such as how to conduct a search legally, there remains a lack of knowledge among school personnel about how to conduct such a search effectively (Zolkos, 1996, p. 3)."

Tags:violence, programs, precaution, intervention, enforcement

Abstract
The paper argues that suppression as a method for curtailing drugs and gangs is more effective than intervention alone because with suppression, gang members are brought to task for their actions, rather than just counseled about the destruction their actions with drugs and crime may bring. The paper discusses how drugs have always played an integral part of gang life, however, in the 1970s, they became central to street gang activity. The paper then explains how the drugs in gangs are financed.

From the Paper
"Suppression as a method for curtailing drugs and gangs is more effective than intervention alone because with suppression, gang members are brought to task for their actions, rather than just counseled about the..."

Tags:drugs, gangs, suppression

Abstract
This paper explains that, while the primary purpose of gangs may be to engage in criminal activity, they serve other social functions that attract teens as gang members. The author points out that researchers have developed a variety of different theories to explain the proliferation of gangs such as criminological theories, which focus on the social aspects of crime and gang membership. The author points out that the advocates of social disorganization theory suggest that this theory is more comprehensive than any of the criminological theories and may be able to supply a broader solution to the gang problem.

From the Paper
"In addition, many people believe that gangs are only an urban problem. This impression has a basis in reality; the majority of gang activity is concentrated in large cities and suburban areas. Furthermore, these areas large urban and suburban areas are more likely to report long-established gang activity. However, gang activity is spreading to smaller urban and rural areas. The spread of gang activity may be very significant because of the composition differences between established and newer gangs."

Tags:social, disorganization, solutions, disenfranchisement, breakdown

Abstract
The paper discusses how gangs in the United States have become a significant concern for the criminal justice system because of two primary factors. The paper explains that gangs are the number one source of drug activity in the country, and, members are connected to violent acts more than any other citizens.

From the Paper
"Gangs in the United States have become a significant concern for the criminal justice system because of two primary factors. First, gangs are the number one source of drug activity in the country. Second, gang members are connected to violent acts more than any other citizens. However, the existence of violence in association with gangs is apparent because of the drug trade that occurs by the gangs.
"Clay and Aqulia (1994) describe a gang as a group of individuals that are..."

Tags:gangs, violence, drugs

Abstract
This paper explains that, on the basis of variant external awareness of the group's activities, a group formally turns out to be a gang as it gives out reactions to the awareness. This paper points out that many gangs undertake an array of entrepreneurial activities patterned to give money to members and esteem and authority to the gang. The paper relates that family disarray is another important impact in enrolling in a gang; deficient family manipulation plans boost the danger of gang enrollment.

Table of Contents
Definition
Review of Literature
Theoretical Image of Gangs
Major Components
Policy Implications

From the Paper
"By the middle of 1960s, research and analytical studies on youth gang formation summed up yet another conceptual facet. During this time, sociologists debated that youth gangs were created in accordance with social events, and that gang members were of loose morals or inadequately socialized entities who tied up together to do delinquent activities in groups rather than as separate entities. Malcolm Klein's portrayal of a gang mirrors the evolution from a subculture/class analysis to a social reaction study. A gang is any noticeable adolescent group of youngsters who are generally envisaged as a separate sum of others in their neighborhood; acknowledge themselves as an identifiable group, almost differentially with a group name and have been taking part in a required number of criminal events to call for a persistent opposition from nearby residents and/or enforcement agencies. (Klein, p.45) And finally, the chief aim of studies on youth gangs revolved around the association between gangs and delinquency. Nowadays, scholars are inclined to envisage youth gang creation bonded with some attire of criminality, chiefly violence and drug application and dissemination."

Tags:group, neighborhood, policy, family, entrepreneurial

Abstract
The paper looks at an ethnic study of gangs in the neighborhood of "El Dorado", a codename for a New York City neighborhood, as well as a study on transnational criminal organizations and gangs in Southern California. The paper highlights how these studies demonstrate that while many members of adolescents youths are involved in 'gangs', this activity for the most part is geared toward self-protection. The paper then points out the failure of certain neighborhoods to provide a place that is safe for adolescents to grow properly during this critical life stage. The paper specifically calls for research to determine how the provision of a safe neighborhood for such individuals will free them from their need to be gang-related individuals.

Outline:
Statement of Thesis
Rationale
Introduction
Ethnic Study - El Dorado (New York City Neighborhood)
Transnational Criminal Organizations and Gangs in Southern California
Findings
Recommendations
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Today's diverse groupings of ethnic youth in the United States are individuals of a wide range of characteristics and never has this group been quite so diverse. These groups are comprised of individuals who do not understand the ideology of what the 'American Dream' is truly composed of and it is likely that due to non-engagement of these youth in positive civic activities and alternatively viewing them as 'gangs' that they will never understand that the 'American Dream' includes safe neighborhoods for children to grow up in and that this lack of understanding will perpetuate this framework of thought in society."

Tags:neighborhoods, safety, violence, crime

Abstract
The paper introduces and analyzes the topic of organized crime, specifically concentrating on the Hells Angel's motorcycle crime group. The paper highlights the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) as a notorious motorcycle group that evolved into a gang engaging in criminal and organized crime activities. The paper notes that the group, formed in 1948, is notorious today for its violence, drug dealing, and extortion practices. The Hells Angels Bomber Squadron of World War II inspired their name, but none of the bomber squadron members became members of the HAMC.

From the Paper
"In addition, many other criminal investigations have turned up large amounts of money, weapons, drugs, and evidence of other illegal activities, such as extortion and coercion by club members and in clubhouses across America and the world. The club Web site maintains that "1 percent of their members are bad, and ruin the reputation of the remaining 99 percent", but the evidence continues to point to the fact that many HAMC activities are gang and crime related, and that many of its members join the organization for reasons other than a passion for motorcycles."

Tags:criminal, activity, white, Asian, Hispanic, intimidate