NCJ Number
148521
Date Published
1994
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Gang activity in the U.S. has had five distinct historical periods: pre-Civil War, post-Civil War, Industrial Revolution era, post-World War prohibition era, and post-World War II modern era.
Abstract
Since the early 1960's, gang members have tended to be younger, and many gang members are black or Hispanic. Drugs have become a large part of gang-related activity. Gang activity tends to center around well-organized street gangs which fight over territory and control of crime, have access to guns, and are characterized by a rigid organizational structure. The four primary types of delinquent groups include street corner peer groups, clubs, conflict oriented gangs, and criminally oriented gangs. The 1993 Gang Peace Summit presented some innovative urban strategies for combating the influence of gangs: bringing economic justice to the inner cities; encouraging clergy and peace and justice groups to support urban economic, political, and social development; creating networks for sharing information with urban activists in other cities; and dealing with police abuse and brutality. The identifying symbols of various gangs are also presented in this booklet.