NCJ Number
206140
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: Winter 2004 Pages: 37-50
Date Published
2004
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper provides an overview of the history of the American-based outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMG's), which have spread to other countries as a form of organized crime.
Abstract
In the 1940's, the president of the American Motorcycle Association stated that 1 percent of the bikers were the ones damaging the image of all bikers. OMG's have gloried in this recognition and have labeled themselves as "1-percenters." They thus relish their antisocial, intimidating, and violent criminal image. Based on a review of various sources of information on OMG's, including reports of undercover police officers and the OMGs' own Web sites, this paper profiles the big three OMG's, i.e., Hell's Angels, the Outlaws, and the Bandidos. Although originating in America, these OMG's have established chapters in countries throughout the world, and this has included the exporting of the criminal image and activities of OMG's. The interlocking networks of OMG's on a global scale has allowed American-based OMG's to link common criminal enterprises and the benefits derived from them. In 1991 Interpol created Operation Rockers to counter the rapid expansion of OMG's throughout the world. The objectives of this project are to identify motorcycle gangs that are engaged in continuous criminal activities; to identify each gang's membership, hierarchy, modus operandi, and specific criminal activity; to correlate the information for analysis and dissemination; to assist member countries in the exchange of criminal intelligence information; and to identify specific contact officers within Interpol's National Central Bureau who can then link up with law enforcement agencies that have expertise with OMG's. Because of the profits involved in their expanded criminal enterprises, experts expect that OMG expansion efforts will continue. 33 references