NCJ Number
19156
Date Published
1974
Length
155 pages
Annotation
A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF GANGS FROM THE COLONIAL PERIOD TO THE PRESENT WHICH DISCUSSES THE REASONS FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND EXAMINES SEVERAL TYPICAL GANGS AND THEIR ACTIVITIES.
Abstract
FROM THE EARLY COLONIAL TIMES WHEN ROVING BANDS OF ORPHANS TERRORIZED RESPECTABLE CITIZENS, STREET GANGS HAVE BEEN PART OF LIFE IN AMERICA. THE AUTHOR STATES THAT EACH WAVE OF IMMIGRANTS - IRISH, ITALIAN, CHINESE BROUGHT TO THE CROWDED CITIES THOSE WHO FELT LEFT OUT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM. IT IS SHOWN THAT THE VIOLENT GANGS THEY FORMED GAVE THEM A FEELING OF BELONGING, AN ARENA IN WHICH TO PERFORM DARING ACTS, AND A WEAPON AGAINST THE INDIFFERENCE OF SOCIETY. SUCH FACTORS AS THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH FOSTER GANG ACTIVITY, THE NATURE OF THE GANG, AND VIOLENT ACTIVITIES OF THE GANG ARE INVESTIGATED. THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT AS LONG AS POVERTY, CLASS DIFFERENCES AND POWERLESSNESS EXIST, SO WILL THE STREET GANG. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)