Abstract This paper discusses gangviolence as a multi-generational problem in many communities. Many gangs are decades old, and solutions to the gangviolence problem have been sought after for equally as long. The paper explores the structure and roots of gangviolence, future trends, and proven solutions to the problem. It concludes that early intervention, as well as providing safe havens for youth at risk in troubled neighborhoods, are valuable tools to help stem the tide of gangviolence.
From the Paper "Gangs undertake a variety of criminal pursuits, and the level of violence that is perpetrated by the gang is directly related to the particular crimes that are committed. The drug trade is the primary involvement of the gangs. Gangs are also involved in intimidation, robbery, and other acts of violence as well. There is an increasing trend among gangs becoming involved in less traditional crimes, and becoming involved in identity theft and credit card fraud. (2005 National Gang Threat Assessment p. 4) The gangs are also becoming involved more and more with organized crime. The organized crime syndicates include the Mexican and South American drug cartels, Russian Organized crime, Asian Crime families, the more recognizable La Cosa Nostra (Mafia) and assorted other group throughout the world. (id p. 6) Gangs are also availing themselves to technology. The technology of choice by the gang members is the push-to-talk cell phone. This is of particular use in coordinating efforts of the individual members regardless of the criminal undertaking. The gangs also make use of the internet, postings on websites to communicate with members and notify them of event dates, as well as boasting of recent illicit activities. (id p.4)"
Abstract This paper explains that the Chicago school theory, a legacy in the field of criminology, hypothesized in the 1920s and 1930s, states that where social institutions, norms and values are no longer functioning, high rates of violence, drug abuse, poverty and disease occur. The author points out pitfalls in this theory such as (1) gangs do not only exist in communities with few personal binds between residents and, even within ghettos, there are dependable residency patterns and strong community member ties and (2) the theory is based on spherical reasoning that is, social disorganization is the reason of criminal behavior, and crime is an indicator of social disorganization. The paper relates that the Chicago School theory fails to grasp that the contemporary streetgang is planned as a business usually a drug-dealing business; therefore, this theory can no longer be used to understand these gangs.
From the Paper "A number of the initial work in the crime appeared from the University of Chicago in the 1920's. The job done at this school recognized long traditions of theories to help explain why crime occurs, and what to do regarding it. It incorporated the work of Robert Park, Ernest Burgess, Frederick Thrasher, and in later years the Chicago School theory of Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay. The crime deterrence plans appeared from this work, such as the Chicago Area Projects which ran for over half a century, were based on a simple notion: the finest unit of analysis to study crime was the neighborhood and the interrelationships of diverse groups within the neighborhood, such as the street gang. The ecology of crime approach used the neighborhood as the level of analysis, and it conceptualizes the neighborhood as a communal ecosystem."
Abstract This paper prevents an overview of the Crips streetgang of Los Angeles. The paper first explains how gang life in California becomes a sort of surrogate family life, where individuals turn to their neighborhood gangs for protection as well as a source of potential income. The paper then discusses the gang hierarchy and the varying levels of positions and authority and reveals that the biggest profit seen in gang activities comes from drug sales. Next, the paper shows how, despite the lure of fortune and protection, the consequences of claiming Crip membership can be devastating. The police response to gang activity is also looked at and it is posited that no matter how hard the city of Los Angeles tries to rid itself of further gang activity, the perils of inner city life will always force individuals to turn to gang life to make a living and protect themselves and their family.
From the Paper "California street gangs have a long and checkered past which has been both demonized and romanticized. The Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence labels the definition of a gang as "a group of young people whose members recognize themselves as a distinct entity and are recognized as such by their community," (Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence, 2008). These groups of individuals band together for various reasons; in California the main reason being financial and emotional support for one another. Due to the incredibly poor neighborhoods of inner-city Los Angeles, there are a myriad of gangs which have sprung up all over the city to provide protection and financial support to their members based on profits from illicit activities. In 1991, a study done by the University of California, USC, in the heart of gang territory, estimated an astounding 130,000 active gang members currently living in Los Angeles, (Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence, 2008)."
Tags: crime, violence, drugs, murders, street, life
An in-depth assessment of the causes of gang formation and underlying attraction of streetgangs in order to determine priorities for intervention programs.
Abstract The paper looks at youth gangs: the scope of the problem, statistics, risk factors and prevention strategies. Much focus is placed upon young African-American males and the extent of their gang membership. The author believes that a combination of social opportunities, community organization, and organizational change can be most beneficial in addressing the problem of African-American male youth gangs.
From the Paper "Estimates of the magnitude of youth gang problems in the United States had steadily increased over the last decades of the twentieth century. Once considered largely an urban phenomenon, gangs have increasingly emerged in smaller communities, presenting a challenge that severely strains local resources. Today's gangs are best characterized by their diversity in ethnic composition, geographical location, organization, and the nature and extent of members' involvement in delinquent or criminal activities. Hispanics have the highest percentage of youth gang membership in the US, however, adolescent African-American males represent a large proportion of the gangs, especially those established in the inner city. Causal risk factors must be explored in order to prioritize prevention and intervention programs to reduce youth gang activity among those communities most affected by adolescent black male gang activity."
Abstract This paper describes the ethnic composition of streetgangs, with an emphasis on those that attract Hispanic youth. Also discussed are the activities of druggangs 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 streetgangs. 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 ) "
Abstract The paper discusses the streetgang problem in the US and what can be done to help curtail gang activity. The paper specifically looks at how Hollywood has helped to glamorize streetgangs as well as how the rap music industry glamorizes gangs. The paper then shows how more research is needed to better understand streetgangs, since law enforcement on its own is failing to impact the problem.
Outline:
Glamorizing the American Gang Image
Deglamorizing American StreetGangs
From the Paper "The American street gang problem is one of a layered problem. The image of the American gangster has been glamorized by Americans, and shown to be one way, perhaps the easier way, of accomplishing the American dream. Unfortunately, as anyone living in a major American city like Chicago, Boston, or LA can tell us, there is nothing glamorous about bullets ripping through the paper thin walls of a housing development or finding your own child lying dead in the street before he or she has even reached puberty as a result of gangland violence. American street gangs have evolved, spreading now beyond the cities, to the suburbs and are now doing battle for the rural areas in order to expand the operations that feed the gangland lifestyle: drug marketing and manufacturing, prostitution, coercion, money laundering, and any other illicit vice that might be sold to Americans for a one hundred percent profit. "
Abstract In this article, the writer explores the trans-national nature of the 18th Streetgang. The writer explains that strictly speaking, for a gang to be classified as trans-national, the gang has to have its presence in more than one country. This essay explores the reasons due to which this particular gang finds sympathizers and members in different countries. It is argued here that the motivation to spread out and seek to establish roots in other places is because of the very nature of this gang and because of the history of its inception. The writer maintains that there are widespread consequences for the trans-national nature of the 18th StreetGang. This essay shows that some of the trans-nationalism also comes from trans-culturalism. The writer concludes that illegal immigration and deportation of gang members is the key mechanism by which the 18th StreetGang has become a global gang.
Outline:
Introduction
Precedence for Trans-National Gangs in the United States
Latino Trans-National Gangs 18th StreetGang-Precedence for Trans-Nationalism
18th StreetGang as Trans-National
Conclusion
From the Paper "Even middle school children are pushed into membership, sometimes against their wills, and eventually undergo initiation. This ensures the next generation of gangsters, increasing the membership and keeping the gang going.
"This level of openness towards membership has a historical precedence. This gang originated in the 1960s because an older gang, Clanton 14, which consisted of Mexicans and Caucasians who were already established in Los Angeles refused to accept the newly arrived Mexicans. These newly arrived, illegal immigrants, feeling ostracized and with language and cultural barriers to assimilation, banded together to form the 18th Street gang. They retain the character of outsiders, which makes them easier to accept outsiders--even from other races."
This paper examines the increase in gangs and gang related violence in America, as well as the available programs and strategies to combat this growing problem.
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 gangviolence. 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."
Abstract The author looks at several sociological and environmental factors that can be associated with the rise in juvenileviolence, whose roots can be traced back to the early 1980s. The author looks that the rise in the numbers of juvenile crimes, the sociological factors that specifically affect juvenile crime, and lastly, examines specific environmental factors that appear to be affecting juvenile crime. The paper looks at this rising trend, that began with changes that the country underwent at the turn of the twentieth century, and the adverse affects they had on the family structure.
From the Paper "In his popular 1997 book entitled "Kid's Stuff: Toys and the Changing World of American Childhood," author Gary Cross states that, over the course of the twentieth century, American parents "increasingly lost control over and even understanding of the play of their children" (p. 149). The children's entertainment industry developed alongside an advancing technology, and basic toys and games became increasingly complicated and complex as well as increasingly foreign to parental understanding with each passing decade. By the time that the Electronic and Information Age had fully exploded in the 1990s, most parents had fallen so far behind the technological times that effective censorship of the films that their children viewed and the games that their children played had become, in effect, virtually impossible. In the face of a rapidly changing technology, many modern parents simply stopped trying to monitor their children's entertainment activities. With this decrease in parental notice and attention came an increase in violent and criminal content, an exchange that ultimately resulting in an electronic atmosphere and environment that graphically glorifies violence and worships the virtual gods of death and destruction."
Abstract The paper examines the legislative, judicial and administrative responses to juvenileviolence. From the legislative aspect, it studies the justice system for minors and its changes over the past century. From a judicial aspect, it looks at the unfair application of the legislation in the USA. From the administrative aspect, it deals with the trend toward more rehabilitation-orientated treatment of juvenile offenders.
From the Paper ?Many juvenile courts have now discarded this so-called infancy defense and have found that delinquent acts can be committed by children of any age. This reflects less a change in the understanding of child psychology, however, than it does a change in cultural and social ideas about criminal agency (http://128.192.30.16/LegisGame/g7/issues/A10.htm).
"The creation in the late 19th century of a separate justice system for youths reflected a combined legislative, judicial and administrative response to the need that society felt for punishing youths ? but not too much. So many offenders were juveniles that it was believed that some system must be established to deal with their unique needs and to help them from becoming lifetime criminals.?
Abstract This paper investigates gang life on the streets and gang life in prisons and looks at the relationship between these two types of gang membership. The paper also looks at trends in gang membership, the primary reasons that youth join gangs, societal factors contributing to gang membership, and the feeling of family that gangs provide many youth. The paper also includes interviews of youths from streetgangs and prison gangs and concludes that prison life is merely an extension of gang life for many of the youth that are behind bars.
From the Paper "The problem from the law enforcement angle is: "who is in charge?" There is a see-saw effect between the government or various governmental agencies and the parents. Of course, the focus is on dysfunctional families, frequently one-parent, over-burdened, poverty-stricken families. There are two choices for society: to completely turn their back, as is happening all too often, is to do something to provide an opportunity and a look at a better future for disillusioned, frustrated, angry juvenile offenders."
Abstract This paper examines "Code of the streets" by Elijah Anderson, which presents a look into the world of inner-city life in Philadelphia and the vast social, drug and economic problems that plague those who grow up and live there. The paper focuses on several chapters of the book that deal with the definition of "decent" families and "street" families and the reasoning behind the significant increase in "street" families and the decline in "decent" families. The paper shows how Anderson offers a look inside the lives of inner-city dwellers that portrays the sense of urgency for today's children who are struggling to thrive.
From the Paper "In the first chapter of "Code of the Streets", Anderson gives the reader a sociological definition of what represents a "decent" family and a "street" family, while also providing several personal stories by individuals and their families who shared characteristics at both ends of the spectrum. It was an intriguing look into the complexity of the two worlds which were ultimately always interconnected because of the continuous conflict that took place with one another. The decent family was described by Anderson as one that incorporates, "responsibility, morals, good judgment, and hard work", to help keep the family together so they may never have to turn to drugs, but instead to always have a goal in life. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Marge and her successful, yet constant struggle, to raise five children while keeping them off the street and drugs. I especially liked the story off Yvette and her immediate family's constant effort to protect her while growing up."
Abstract This paper examines how the existence of gangs in the United States can be traced back to the early 1800s and how it was the years following the Civil War, and the subsequent World Wars that gave rise to the number gangs. It looks at how, over the decades, gangs have become not only a major concern for the United States, but for other countries as well. It discusses how gangs are not confined to neighborhood streets, but can be found behind prison walls and how technology has allowed gangs to communicate worldwide. It also shows how today, all three elements, streetgangs, prison gangs and global gangs are interconnected.
From the Paper "The existence of gangs can be traced back to ancient civilizations, however the first identified gang in the United States, was formed in 1820 in the Five Points District of New York City (Allender 2001). The end of the Civil War saw large-scale criminal activity on the part of a few veterans who had trouble returning to a peaceful society (Allender 2001). Following World War II, veterans returning home formed motorcycle clubs, and while most were social groups, a few, such as the Hell's Angels, began to engage in criminal activities (Allender 2001). Ethnic groups, including Asians, Italians, Jews, Jamaicans, and many others, formed gangs due to the prejudice and discrimination that they had to deal with and which alienated them from mainstream society (Allender 2001)."
The paper examines the corruption of William M. Tweed, the "Boss" of Nineteenth Century New York City and his relationship with streetgangs in the same period.
Abstract This paper examines the activities of William M. Tweed, a major political boss in New York during the 19th century. In particular, the paper examines how Tweed used criminal devices along with strategic relationships with gang members in order to rule over the city. In order to illustrate his case, the paper draws upon a number of sources, including Martin Scorsese's 2002 film "Gangs of New York". The paper then describes the "Five Points" neighborhood of New York and the exceptionally hard life new immigrants and residents of this neighborhood faced and how this influenced the formation of rival streetgangs. The paper examines how Tweed exploited these gangs in order to further his own interests.
From the Paper "At the same time this corrupt system was ruling over the streets of New York, the impoverished Irish immigrants finally began standing up against the xenophobic American system which kept them poor. The riots which broke out at the end of the film represent the extreme unrest which had resonated within the minds of both native Americans as well as foreign born newcomers who were forced into a service which they did not truly understand. As violence erupted on the streets of New York, a new age of New England politics was beginning to take shape. The riots depicted in the film "Gangs of New York" represent the dissent of the poor Irish class with both the larger American government as well as the corrupt political system of New York City at the time. This swayed much of the political weight away from corrupt agents such as the infamous Tweed, who was later convicted by the state of New York for embezzlement of city funds and various other crimes which typified his position in office. He later died in jail, separated far away from the millions of dollars he and his criminal thugs helped to cipher away from the city of New York and all of its necessities."
Abstract This paper focuses on the current conditions in L.A. regarding poverty and violence to that of the 1930s. The writer of this paper reviews and discusses author Upton Sinclair's perception of 1930s L.A. in his novel "Land of Orange Groves and Jails." This paper explores the strong lure of streetgangs on L.A.'s youth as well as the high cost of living and lack of affordable housing for the working class citizen. This paper also gives a brief biography of Upton Sinclair's political aspirations.
From the Paper "The Mayor has endorsed the LA's BEST program, Better Educated Students for Tomorrow. The program is designed to give students ages 5 to 12 a place to hang out during the critical hours after school. The program costs parents nothing and insures that children will not get mixed up in the gang network. In a press release dated Feb. 23, 2006 the Mayor reported that the program has decreased the dropout rate by 20 percent. This is a statistic based on 6000 kids that were in the program for three years and 6000 kids that were not in the program."
