NCJ Number
171579
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (Fall 1997) Pages: 63-76
Date Published
1997
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article provides a 1-year update on the activities of the Chicago Latin Kings gang.
Abstract
In Fall 1996, the Journal of Gang Research (V 4, N 1, P 43-72) featured a profile of the Chicago Latin Kings gang. Significant developments in the intervening year have justified an update, including an examination of the gang's financial and related criminal activities. A new round of Federal indictments against the Latin Kings were announced in September 1997. The indictments describe how the Latin Kings require members to pay dues, how the gang amasses a treasury controlled by the elite leaders of the gang, how monies are set aside for retaining lawyers for the gang, how the gang buys firearms, etc. Much of this has been known for years by gang experts, but was not generally known by the public. The article provides a brief synopsis of some aspects of the Latin Kings' financial life, including a look at the financial records of one chapter of the gang. The study revealed a side of gang life that had not emerged in anthropological studies of younger gang members. These associate members, who may not be required to pay dues, are easily approached by anthropological techniques. However, they are unlikely to ever attend gang meetings and are the least likely to be knowledgeable about the gang's larger financial and economic affairs. Appendix