Abstract
This paper examines organized crime in the US, focusing on the phenomena of outlaw motorcycle gangs such as Hell's Angels. First, the paper discusses the history of organized crime in America, starting with the prohibition era. Then, it addresses contemporary gang culture in the US, which has emerged in urban areas. Here, entire local communities have been terrorized by violent street gangs. Next, the paper addresses why community members do not come forward to report violence. The paper then explores outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs), which have also have played a significant role in contemporary organized crime since their evolution from social organizations of the 1950s and early 1960s. It further shows how these groups have become nationwide, and in some cases, international criminal enterprises. The origins of OMG's are described and today's largest are named. The paper concludes by addressing the connection between OMG's and South American drug lords.

Outline:

The Modern History of Organized Crime in America
The Origin of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs
Hell's Angels
Outlaws
Pagans
Mongols and Banditos
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Domestically, a gang culture has also emerged in urban areas throughout the U.S. in which entire local communities are terrorized by violent street gangs, such as the Crips and Bloods and their many subsets and affiliated gangs. In addition to being responsible for drug trafficking, prostitution, and other major crimes in American cities, these criminal organizations are notorious for their hatred of law enforcement and have perpetrated numerous attacks in which police officers have been murdered. Likewise, civilians living in gang-dominated communities have been extremely reluctant to cooperate with police efforts to address gang-related crimes because of the propensity of these remorselessly violent street gangs to kill civilians who cooperate with criminal investigations or who testify against them at trial."

Tags:prohibition era, Mexican drug cartels, drug lords, street gangs

Abstract
This paper describes the ethnic composition of street gangs, with an emphasis on those that attract Hispanic youth. Also discussed are the activities of drug gangs and their association with organized crime. Several theories describing the Hispanic gang phenomenon are presented, although the author believes they do not account for all the factors affecting Hispanic street gangs. Other theories also have to be considered in the understanding of this phenomenon.

Outline:
Introduction and Overview
Theoretical Perspectives
Conclusion

From the Paper
" There are a number of different characteristics that set Hispanic street gangs apart from other gang types. These include the fact that Hispanic gangs are more likely to develop along ethnic and racial lines. It should also be noted in this regard that the term "Hispanic" is a nebulous term which is often used to include other indigenous cultures such as "...Chicanos, Mexicans, El Salvadorians, Cubans, South Americans, and anyone else from a Spanish-speaking country." (THE PROBLEMS OF DEFINITIONS ) Latino gangs are usually mainly male dominated. "Females who seemed to be with the gang all the time were perceived as more of a support system, companions, girlfriends, and some were referred to as "party animals." (THE PROBLEMS OF DEFINITIONS ) "

Tags:gangs, Hispanics, Latinos, drugs, crime

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 introduces models of social structure and differential association and explains what these would have us believe about youth gangs. However, the paper shows how research into the Ontario case reveals other reasons why youths, of different backgrounds, become involved in gangs. The paper provides two reflective sections, and a conclusion calling for a careful referral to theory in research. The paper refers to U.S. precedents as Canada tends to examine American patterns in responding to youth gangs, the crack culture and guns.

From the Paper
"This paper explains Social Structure and Differential Association theories in relation to central Canadian youth gangs that tend to be attributed to poverty and disadvantage, social exclusion, low self-esteem and a lack of power. Structural functionalism has focused on shifting groups and institutions in social systems that are seen as in balance when they offer more or less equal access to a society's benefits. According to this view, when groups are disadvantaged they are more apt to present deviance. Social structure theory is often linked to social learning theory,..."

Tags:social structure, differential, youth gangs

Abstract
This paper examines a variety of sources on youth gangs noting a liberal analysis and 'solution' in social services supports that does not reflect the present reality induced by crack cocaine. Rather than being victims of their environments, gang participants are beneficiaries of criminal organizations to prey upon persons addicted to a lethal drug. Reflective questions on those who truly make youth gangs possible and attractive -- in persons and groups profiting from cocaine distribution aware that crack cocaine remains a growing market.

From the Paper
"This paper addresses youth gangs in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Research began in varied sources, governmental, academic and media, to observe how the youth gang problem was presented. Views of gang origins proved quite biased and in places, in correct, in terms of motivations and the extent of the problem. Also, gangs tended not to be discussed in other than a social context, rather ignoring profit motivations centred on the crack cocaine industry. Youth gang activity in the GTA is more entrenched than a decade ago, though no satisfying account of numbers could be found,..."

Tags:toronto, gangs, pc rationale

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
The following paper will briefly describe the commonplace juvenile school gangs in Florida, their trademark colors, some of their characteristics, and what schools can do to thwart their influence. In the end, things as simply as giving young people a sense of empowerment (preeminently by teaching them much-needed skills) can guide them away from the gang life.

From the Paper
School Gangs in Florida: What They Are and What We Can Do about Them The following paper will briefly describe the commonplace juvenile school gangs in Florida, their trademark colors, some of their characteristics, and what schools can do to thwart their influence. In the end, things as simply as giving young people a sense of empowerment (preeminently by teaching them much-needed skills) can guide them away from the gang life. To start with, we all know that gangs have their own unique colors that indicate the individual wearing them is a member of the "family" or organization; it also appears as though colors (and symbols) represent the gang's ideal representation of itself (Florida Department of Corrections,

Tags:florida, gangs, schools

Abstract
This paper reviews the book "winning the War Against Gangs," finding that the author does a good job of trying to look at the problems and concerns of modern young people, but also finding that her research methodology is flawed. The paper explains that by relying on responses to written surveys, she selected people who are willing to fill out such surveys, and who believe in the validity of such surveys; these are not at risk youth. Further, the paper asserts that her solutions are completely beyond the capacity of the target audience to immplement them. This review concludes that the guide is not effective.

From the Paper
"Gang violence and the prevalence of gangs among young people in America are serious problems. A book on gangs and their influence on America's young people that actually turns to young people to try to probe this subject is a good beginning. Valerie Weiner has the insight to know that a book on gangs that considers only what adults think will do little more than prove its own irrelevance to many young people. To this end, she has surveyed some 270 young people from a diverse range of backgrounds to try to address this problem. In her discussion, Weiner presents an approach which is at once..."

Tags:gangs, survey, self, validation

Abstract
This paper examines the effects of violence and gangs on the learning environment and how they impact students' academic success.

From the Paper
"A student's learning environment is the foundation of educational success, regardless of the student's age. One of the most important criteria of a good learning environment is its ability to promote students' concentration on learning tasks. Just as an environment full of riotous noise or lack of all direction is deleterious to learning, so is an environment where violence and gangs prevail. As recent years' news headlines show, deranged students have an alarmingly high..."

Tags:violence, gangs, academic success, school, success, cyber-bullying

Abstract
The writer of this informative paper details the growing number of gangs and membership to gangs which have become a public security threat that communities are now recognizing that must be addressed. This paper supplies relevant statistics and data relating to gangs and various acts of gang violence. Approximately half of all youth gang members are 18 years or older and thus more likely to become involved in serious and violent crimes than younger gang members. This paper discusses the spread of gangs across America. While gangs have been a problem in L.A. for years, and account for roughly 50% of the city's murders, gangs are now responsible for 41% of the homicides in Omaha, Nebraska. This paper details the various preventative measures and programs available to curtail this growing problem. The writer contends and explains why preventing adolescents from joining gangs seems to be the most cost-effective long-term strategy. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has implemented a school-based gang prevention program that has shown positive preliminary results. The writer of this paper stresses the need for communities to organize a collaborative approach to gang problems from the outset rather than beginning with a predominantly suppression strategy.

From the Paper
"Since 1980, the United States has witnessed a rapid proliferation of youth gangs. According to a 1998 Juvenile Justice Bulletin, there were roughly 286 gang jurisdictions with some 2,000 gangs and approximately 100,000 gang members in 1980. By 1996, there were some 4,800 jurisdictions with more than 31,000 gangs and an estimated 846,000 gang members. In an eleven-city survey of eighth graders, researchers found than nine percent were currently gang members, while seventeen percent stated they had belonged to a gang at some point in their lives. Other studies show similar percentages and also indicated that gang members were responsible for a large proportion of violent offenses."

Tags:youth, gang, community, violence, statistics