EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, STAGE 1: ASSESSMENT

• NCJ Number: 146554
• Author(s): I A Spergel; D Curry; R Chance; C Kane; R Ross; A Alexander; E Simmons; S Oh
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 28 pages
• Grant Number(s): 90-JD-CX-K001
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
• Corporate Author: University of Chicago; National Youth Gang Information Ctr
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: NYGIC Document Number D0026

Annotation

This report reviews the findings of reports of seven research and data collection projects conducted in the assessment phase of the National Youth Gang Suppression and Intervention Program, conducted in cooperation with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice.

Abstract

The projects focused on the scope and seriousness of the problem of juvenile gangs, the characteristics of gang structure and experience, the social contexts for gang development, and cities with emerging and chronic youth gang problems. The analyses also focused on historical responses to the problem, responses by the criminal justice system and other agencies, policy structures and procedures, and promising approaches by law enforcement in conjunction with other community groups. The research also focused on the effectiveness of intervention strategies. The analyses produced four recommendations for systematic testing in various cities and sites around the country. These recommendations relate to the definition of a youth gang, the targeting of specific youth for early intervention and control efforts, programs for cities with chronic gang problems, and programs for cities with emerging gang problems.