NCJ Number
218596
Editor(s)
Justin Reis
Date Published
July 2006
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This presentation outlines a curriculum on the development of and involvement in gangs, the structure and motives of a gang, and prevention and intervention strategies in response to the problem of gangs.
Abstract
Gangs are defined as two or more persons engaged in antisocial behavior and who form an allegiance for a common criminal purpose and who individually are creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation within a community. The structure of a gang is defined as organized, territorial (or turf), and scavenger. When looking at gangs within a community, there are three basic looks at the level of gang issues: (1) gang concerns (graffiti or incidents of low level offenses); (2) gang presence (increased graffiti, intensified criminal activity, such as assaults); and (3) gang problem (rival gang incidents, firearms, drug activity, and homicides). Motivational factors of a gang include: protection, peer pressure, and generational. However, motives of a gang crime include: representing, recruitment, prestige, turf violation, and personal conflict. When working with communities in addressing the gang problem there are three steps: (1) involve key community leaders, create a community safety board, formulate common goals and objectives, and design a community assessment study; (2) form a gang task force, choose members with various expertise, create a diverse community representation, and schedule and maintain regular meetings; and (3) conduct a community survey which should be used to develop policy, and address risk factors in the community, family, school, and individual and peer.