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Evolution of Gangs in America

Evolution of Gangs in America. 1890’s 1920’s 1960’s 1980’s and beyond Common issues: (1) immigration, (2) economic transitions, (3) focus on minority populations, and (4) rapid population change. Elements of a Gang Definition. Group characteristics. Symbols of membership.

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Evolution of Gangs in America

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  1. Evolution of Gangs in America 1890’s 1920’s 1960’s 1980’s and beyond Common issues: (1) immigration, (2) economic transitions, (3) focus on minority populations, and (4) rapid population change.

  2. Elements of a Gang Definition Group characteristics. Symbols of membership. Persistence of membership. Self-identification. Criminal involvement.

  3. Recognizing Gangs Sources of Gangs. Troubled Individuals? Young Criminals? Disrupted or ineffective social systems? Sources of Knowledge about Gangs. The case of the St. Louis Task Force and the media. The Social Process of Responding to Gangs. DenialIdentificationOver-identification

  4. Number of Gang Cities by Year. Similar growth in number of gangs (28,000) and members (850,000 by 2000).

  5. Characteristics of Gang Members

  6. Gender of U.S. Gang Members Law Enforcement Data Survey Data Male Female Data Sources: NYGC 1996 Survey, Esbensen & Winfree (1998)

  7. Age of U.S. Gang Members Law Enforcement Data Survey Data Under 15 15 & Over Data Sources: NYGC 1996 Survey, Esbensen & Winfree (1998)

  8. Ethnicity of U.S. Gang Members Law Enforcement Data Survey Data Other White Data Sources: NYGC 1996 Survey, Esbensen & Winfree (1998)

  9. Characteristics of Gang BehaviorHomicide and “Hangin’ out”

  10. Symbolic Benefits (power, prestige, thrills) Instrumental Benefits (drug sales, property crime, protection) Social Aspects of Membership (belonging, hanging out, cohesion) From Neighborhood Gang Compels Neighborhood Young People to Join The Gang THREAT Disrupts Socializing Power of Social Institutions (family, school, labor market) From Outside/Rival Gang Escalates Violence and Weapons

  11. 11% 23% 18% 44% Self-Reported Gang Status & Juvenile Court Records 1997 % with Status Offense % with Delinquency Referral None Involved Member

  12. 34% 70% 5% 40% 7% 34% Gang Status & Self-Reported Involvement in Violence St. Louis STG Study. % Used Violence % Carried Gun % Shot At Gang Status None Involved Member

  13. Common Myths About American Gangs

  14. Myths About American Gangs Street Gangs resemble Organized Crime Groups Gang members specialize in particular offenses Gang Members Graduate to Organized Crime Groups Status as a Gang Member is permanent Gangs Control Drug Retail and Wholesale Drugs Sales Gangs Are Effective Business Organizations You can never leave the Gang

  15. Responding to Gangs

  16. Five Strategies for Responding to Gangs Community Organization Opportunity Provision Organizational Change/Development Suppression Social Intervention Source: Spergel & Curry 1990, 1993; Spergel 1995

  17. Five Strategies for Responding to Gangs Levels of Application as Primary Strategy 1988 National Youth Gang Survey

  18. Five Strategies for Responding to Gangs Perceived Effectiveness Ratings 1988 National Youth Gang Survey

  19. The Eurogang Program A group of European and American scholars that has met every year since 1997 to work to understand emerging gangs in Europe. The group has faced a remarkably similar set of issues as American gang researchers did in the 1980’s. Key issues include: immigration, diversity, moral panic, the Eurogang “paradox”, and the role of cultural transmission. Somalian gangs in Oslo. Turkish and Moroccan gangs in Amsterdam and den Hague. Youth gangs in Russia and Kazan. Youth gangs in Italy. Ausiedler (Germans repatriated from the former Soviet Union) in Germany. Hate groups and neo-Nazis in Germany, Norway, and Finland. Jamaican gangs in Britain. British gang boys in Manchester.

  20. The Perils of Misunderstanding Gangs

  21. Why is it important to understand gangs? What errors does it lead us to make for policy, practice and programming if we misunderstand gangs? Who suffers from such a misunderstanding? Police. Youth. Youth Workers. Society. Gang members. Family members. Criminal Justice and Youth Policy.

  22. Useful Websites for Further Information about Gangs www.nupi.no/ForskFelles/eurogang/gang-set.html www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org www.iir.com/nygc - the site of the National Youth Gang Center http://courses.smsu.edu/mkc096f/gangbook/default.htm - the site Of a comprehensive online book about gangs by Dr. Mike Carlie at Southwest Missouri State University http://streetgangs.com/ - A general website with lots of arcane And interesting information. http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/crimjust/gangs.htm - A website Developed by the Michigan State library about gangs.

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