Gang Violence and Victimization

• NCJ Number: 165744
• Author(s): A Perez
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 27 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/NCJRS; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Conference Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Material used in the Gang Violence and Victimization Workshop at the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Conference in Arlington, Virginia, July 16, 1991.

Annotation

This report presents various materials on the characteristics of gang life, with attention to gang violence and its consequences.

Abstract

The first part of the report is an investigator's guide for cases that involve the Los Angeles-based gangs of the "Crips" and "Bloods." An overview of the gangs in Los Angeles is followed by a review of their activities outside of Los Angeles. The report concludes that various Crip and Blood factions have begun to cooperate to promote drug sales, and some gang members have purchased legitimate businesses to launder drug money. Gang hand signs that identify particular gangs are illustrated in the report. The investigator's guide is followed by a newspaper article on the practice of some South Central Los Angeles gangs, as well as other gangs, of issuing employment applications in their neighborhoods to recruit youth for drug-selling jobs. A sample of such an employment form as well as associated gang rules and penalties for drug sellers is included. A number of newspaper articles are then presented to show how gang violence victimizes the residents of gang neighborhoods. The report concludes with suggestions for dealing with in-court intimidation of witnesses by gang members.