NCJ Number
146890
Date Published
1990
Length
153 pages
Annotation
The first step in dealing with the problem of youth gang activity in schools is agreeing that a problem exists. This study examined the degree to which certain school personnel in Broward County, Florida, agree in their perceptions of the presence of gangs and the existence of a gang problem in their neighborhoods, in their school, in their school system and in the county.
Abstract
A study of Florida law enforcement agencies in 1987 confirmed that a problem with juvenile street gangs was emerging in South Florida. High school campuses have not been immune to the violence that accompanies gang presence. If youth gang activity is making its way into the Broward County school system, it is critical that school officials quickly recognize the problem and agree that a problem exists so that proper action can be taken. This study sought to determine whether certain school officials were in agreement in their perceptions of gang activity and the existence of a gang problem in the neighborhoods surrounding their schools, in the school, in the school system, and in Broward County. Questions were asked that examined the participants perceptions of certain activities that youth gang specialists have identified as being characteristic of youth gangs. The officials surveyed included 20 high school principals, 31 school-based security personnel, 11 county-based security personnel and 22 school resource officers working in the Broward County schools. The study found a great deal of variation in perceptions. The findings and conclusions of the study are presented along with recommendations for action. Although 67 percent of the officials agreed or strongly agreed that the Broward County school system had a gang problem, 81 percent denied that their school had a gang problem. Because gang activity will continue to grow as long as administrators deny the existence of a gang problem, it is recommended that the county and law enforcement personnel in Broward County work to accurately assess whether a problem does in fact exist. Through a literature review, this report discusses the emerging problem of youth gang activity in Broward County, theories and rationales for joining a gang, gang structure and identifiers, the impact of gang activity on schools and the response of administrators. 11 tables, 11 appendixes, references