NCJ Number
149030
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 51 Issue: 10 and 11 Dated: (October and November 1982) Pages: 12-22
Date Published
1982
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Evidence is mounting that motorcycle gangs of the 1960's and 1970's are becoming more criminally sophisticated and that law enforcement needs to take a closer look at organized gang involvement in crime.
Abstract
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has followed the activities of major motorcycle gangs and has confirmed gang involvement in drug manufacturing and distribution, prostitution, weapons-related violations, extortion, murder, arson for hire, pornography, protection rackets, loan sharking, interstate transport of stolen property and stolen motor vehicles, insurance fraud, and obstruction of justice. The importance of crowd control in preventing illegal or violent gang activities is emphasized, as well as the need to allay community fear of gangs and to deal with territorial disputes among gangs, crime conspiracies and enterprises, and gang security networks. The history of motorcycle gangs is reviewed, and a sociopsychological profile of these gangs is presented that focuses on gang member initiation, group structure, and female gang members. 54 footnotes