Gang Characteristics and Societal Reactions (From Chinese Subculture and Criminality: Non-Traditional Crime Groups in America, P 119-137, 1990, Ko-lin Chin -- See NCJ-124245)

• NCJ Number: 124251
• Author(s): K Chin
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 19 pages
• Sale Source: Greenwood Publishing Group
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examines the characteristics of Chinese gangs and the reactions of Chinese communities and law enforcement to the gang problem.

Abstract

Data sources for the study are interviews with police authorities, community leaders, and crime victims; personal observations; law enforcement reports; and newspaper accounts. Demographically, gang members are all male and all Asian, with a mean age of 22.7 years. Gangs, which are composed mostly of school dropouts, vary in size from 20 to 50 hardcore members and have diverse organizational structures. One gang, the Ghost Shadows, has four or five leaders at the top; under them are several associate leaders, who command the street soldiers. The street soldiers commit most of the extortion, robbery, and street violence. Both subtle and coercive methods are used to recruit gang members. Conformity to peer pressure is a strong characteristic of Chinese gang members. Gang members view themselves as nationalistic, loyal, and virtuous. Chinese gangs are distinguished from other gangs by their close ties to their communities' social and economic life. The local police precinct is at the forefront of the battle against Chinese gangs. This is a frustrating task, since the police receive little cooperation from the community, but are blamed by the community for not countering crime.