NCJ Number
156318
Date Published
1995
Length
280 pages
Annotation
This book explores the Chinese tradition of tongs, triads, and secret societies and their frequent involvement in organized crime, as well as their more recent and growing collusion with Chinatown street gangs.
Abstract
The first chapter provides an overview of the key factors that are important in understanding Asian behavior with regard to law enforcement, crime, and similar matters. This is followed by chapters on the social role of secret societies, the overseas Chinese and their history in North America, and Chinatowns in North America. A chapter on Chinese gangs considers the history and development of Chinese gangs in North America, the solidification of the tong/gang relationship in the 1970's, tong- affiliated gangs, transplanted Asian gangs, the United Bamboo Gang, the Big Circle Boys, and common characteristics of gang members. Other chapters focus on weapons and strategies of secret societies and gangs, common Chinese organized crime activities, Chinese crime problems unrelated to gangs, illegal immigration, drugs and drug smuggling, the underground economy and the future of gangs, other Asian gangs, and special law enforcement considerations in dealing with Chinese crime. A 250-item selected bibliography