Chapter 5

GANG DELINQUENCY

Juvenile Justice: An Introduction, 7th ed.

Chapter 5

What You Need to Know• Many studies note that delinquency is often committed in

groups, and that such offending is more recognized by agents of social control.

• There is no one accepted definition of a gang, although common elements of most definitions include persistence over time, congregating in public, self-identifying as a gang, claims over turf, and participation in illegal activity.

• Thrasher provided one of the earliest studies on gangs and viewed them as mainly “spontaneous play groups” in lower-class areas of town.

• Measuring the extent of gang membership is not easy and generally is reliant on reports from police or other social control agencies.

• In the most recent estimates, there are roughly 28,000 active gangs with roughly 731,000 members in the United States.

Chapter 5

What You Need to Know (Cont’d)• Most gang members are young, male, and Hispanic.• One of the most frequent concerns is that gangs are migrating

from the large cities to other locations. There is little evidence of any planned migration, and most movement is actually due to chance or relocation of gang members for non-gang reasons.

• Youths join gangs primarily for a sense of belonging, status, success, self-esteem, and cohesion.

• While most portrayals show gangs as violent and very criminal, actual gang behavior is mainly social and noncriminal. Criminal activity, however, is an important part of gang membership.

• Most gang violence is isolated and between gang members rather than directed at the general public.

Chapter 5

What You Need to Know (Cont’d)• Among intervention strategies with gangs,

suppression is the most used but considered the least effective, while opportunities provision is the least used but considered the most effective.

• Programs that attempt to place workers in the gangs to help direct their behaviors (i.e., detached workers) have little positive impact and may actually draw youths to the gang.

• Law enforcement crackdowns on ganging, such as the Boston Gun Project, can be highly successful, but that success typically lasts only as long as the project operates.

• Classroom-based anti-gang programs such as G.R.E.A.T. have had little impact on gang behavior.

Chapter 5

Gang Background

• The existence of street gangs in the United States can be traced back to the very beginnings of the country.

• 1783 — youthful gangs emerged in New York City.• Growth of gangs was largely related to the growth of

major U.S. cities and the immigration of Eastern Europeans and Southern blacks to the industrial Northeast and Midwest.

• Propensity for juveniles to act in groups.• Group hazard hypothesis proposes that delinquency

committed in groups has a greater chance of being detected and acted upon.

Chapter 5

Gangs Defined

• Gang: refers to groups that exhibit characteristics setting them apart from other affiliations of juveniles.

• Thrasher (1936) defined a gang as:– An interstitial group originally formed spontaneously, and

then integrated through conflict. It is characterized by the following types of behavior: meeting face to face, milling, movement through space as a unit, conflict, and planning. The result of this collective behavior is the development of tradition, unreflective internal structure, esprit de corps, solidarity, morale, group awareness, and attachment to a local territory.

• interstitial areas = areas of a city that are deteriorating and in a state of disorganization

Chapter 5

Gangs Defined• National Youth Gang Survey (2000) defines a youth

gang as:– A group of youths or young adults in [the] jurisdiction that

you or other responsible persons in your agency or community are willing to identify or classify as a “gang.”

• Klein and Maxson (2006) definition:– A street gang is any durable, street-oriented youth group

where involvement in illegal activity is part of its group identity.

• Curry and Decker (1998) identify six typical elements of definitions (see next slide).– Most definitions require a minimum number of members.– Symbols provide identity and communication.– Crime is the most important element.

Chapter 5

Gangs DefinedTypical Elements of a “Gang” DefinitionGROUP

– usually a specified minimum number of members, certainly more than two

SYMBOLS– clothes, hand signs, colors, etc., which serve to indicate membership

COMMUNICATION– verbal and nonverbal forms, such as made up words, graffiti, hand

signals, etc.PERMANENCE

– gangs must persist over time, generally at least one year or moreTURF

– territory claimed and/or controlled by the gang (not as common in many definitions)

CRIME– involvement in criminal behavior

Chapter 5

Gangs DefinedStatutory Definitions• 41 states and the District of Columbia have statutes

defining a gang• five general elements of a gang:

1. criminal activity2. a hierarchy or leadership structure3. a minimum number of participants4. an alliance or understanding among members5. some common name or symbol

• 15 states have attempted to statutorily define a “gang member.”

• A single definition of a gang has not been agreed upon by either researchers or legislators.

Chapter 5

Gangs Defined

Common Elements in State “Gang” Definitions

Element # of statesCriminal Activity 41Pattern of Criminal Activity 31Common Name/Symbol 26Identifiable Leadership/Hierarchy 6Understanding/Alliance 5

Chapter 5

Early Gang ResearchThrasher’s Gangs (1936)• Studied 1,313 gangs with roughly 25,000 members in

Chicago.• Beginnings of gangs were found in spontaneous play groups.• An outgrowth of innocent, everyday behavior.• Groups provided a feeling of belonging and togetherness.• Development of gangs, or ganging, was a continuous process.• Mostly juveniles age 11-17; few members remained in gangs

past young adulthood. • Conflict helped build esprit de corps and unity among the

gang’s members.• Gangs were not a planned response to problems.

Chapter 5

Early Gang Research

Bloch and Neiderhoffer (1958)• gangs differ from other juvenile groups simply by a

matter of degree• provide status, success, and feelings of belonging• gangs developed leadership, cohesion, loyalty, and

support through their daily activities• gangs are fragile in terms of their longevity

– loss of a leader seen as bringing about the dissolution of the gang

– less permanence than assumed by Thrasher

Chapter 5

Early Gang ResearchYablonsky: Near Groups (1962)• concentrates mainly on violent gangs whose activity

focuses on violence and aggression• gang strives for emotional gratification through

hostile actions• the violent gang is a near group:

– characterized by a relatively short lifetime, little formal organization, a lack of consensus between members, a small core of continuous participants, self-appointed leadership, and limited cohesion

• most “members” participate on the fringe and become involved only when individual or group violence is indicated

Chapter 5

Extent of Gang Membership• Measuring gang delinquency and/or involvement is

not easy. – No single, accepted definition.– Many agencies classify individuals as gang members only if

the individual self-identifies. – Many jurisdictions may actively deny the existence of

gangs. • Estimates of gang membership typically rely on

surveys of key informants.• Earliest of these surveys conducted by Miller (1975)

looked at only six cities and found a low estimate of 700 gangs with roughly 28,000 members.

• Beginning in 1995, the National Youth Gang Center (NYGC) began conducting annual surveys.

Chapter 5

Extent of Gang Membership

National Youth Gang Survey• All cities with a population of more than 25,000,

sheriff and police departments of all suburban counties in the United States, and randomly selected police and sheriff’s departments serving small towns (between 2,500 and 24,999 population) and rural counties.

• More than 2,000 law enforcement agencies are surveyed each year.

Chapter 5

Extent of Gang Membership

Percent of agencies reporting gang problems

Chapter 5

Extent of Gang Membership

2009 NYGS Data• 34.5% of the U.S. jurisdictions experience youth gang

problems• more common in cities of 50,000 population or more• More than 28,000 active gangs• roughly 731,000 members• appear in virtually all areas of the country• nonresponse by many police agencies may be reducing the

reported number of gang members by 200,000 or more• Klein and Maxson (2006) suggest that a better means of

measuring gang participation is to survey youths• use of nationally representative samples would provide more

meaningful estimates

Chapter 5

Gang Characteristics

AGE• Peak ages for participation are 14 and 15.• The age range of gang members has expanded,

particularly at the older end.• NYGS data show that individuals age 18+ make up

almost two-thirds of gang members.• Gangs are retaining their members into young

adulthood.

Chapter 5

Gang Characteristics

SOCIAL CLASS• Vast majority of gangs are found in lower-class areas

and are comprised of lower-class juveniles.• Middle-class gang are more like “near groups.”• Wilding gangs (a “near group”) are middle- class and

strike out at what they perceive as inequalities and infringements on their rights by other ethnic groups.

• Middle-class gangs typically do not have well-defined roles, they lack cohesion, and much of the group activity revolves around casual interaction.

Chapter 5

Gang CharacteristicsRACE AND ETHNICITY• All races and ethnic groups have provided gang

delinquents over the years, although different racial/ethnic groups have dominated at different points in time.– Hispanics comprise about 50% of all gang members;

African Americans contribute 35%; Whites make up less than 10%

• Traditionally, gangs tended to be homogeneous in terms of race and ethnicity.

• A developing trend toward hybrid gangs– gangs that are mixed racially or ethnically– members may belong to more than one gang

Chapter 5

Gang Characteristics

FEMALES• Overwhelming dominance of male gangs found in

law enforcement data. • Other research shows greater presence of females in

gangs.• Females are still part of auxiliary groups (Monti,

1993) and respond to the mandates and activities of their male counterparts.

• Indications of growing numbers of autonomous female gangs.

Chapter 5

Gang CharacteristicsORGANIZATION AND SIZE• Some type of internal organization. • Degree of formality and control exercised by the gang

varies greatly from gang to gang.• More entrepreneurial gangs tend to have a more

formal hierarchical structure.• Territorial gangs are more loosely organized and have

an informal structure.• Klein and Maxson (2006) outline five gang types

(next slide).

Chapter 5

Gang CharacteristicsKlein and Maxson’s Gang Types

TRADITIONAL– Very large (over 100 members) with various subgroups; have been in

existence for 20+ years; wide range of ages among members; territorial-based; wide range of criminal activity.

NEOTRADITIONAL– Similar to traditional but not as old; typically 50-100 members;

territorial; subgroups.COMPRESSED

– Small gang with no subgroups (less than 50 members); members are close in age; short history; not necessarily territorial.

COLLECTIVE– Like the compressed but larger (50+); wider age ranges of members,– 10-15 years old; not necessarily territorial.

SPECIALTY– Small gang with no subgroups; narrow age range; short history; very

territorial; specializes in few types of crimes.

Chapter 5

Gang Characteristics• Heart of most gangs is a single core of devoted

members.• Large body of fringe members.• Core of the gang provides the leadership and

decision-making body. • Some gangs have highly differentiated leadership

roles in which different talents call for varied leadership according to the present needs.

• Many gangs include a range of different subgroups. • Subgroups are often based on the age of the gang

members.• Actual organization varies greatly from gang to gang

and place to place.

Chapter 5

Gang Characteristics

Gang Migration• Oft-mentioned “fact” about recent gang behavior. • Gang problems are typically “homegrown” and not imported. • Apparent migration is more accidental than planned.• Most gang travel and migration begins with non-gang,

non-crime-related activities.• Connection between gangs in different cities is more illusory

than real. • Gangs in different cities that have the same name, colors, and

symbols — typically borrow these from other places.• Gang “chapters” in different cities are typically limited.

Chapter 5

Why Youths Join Gangs• Members come together and associate with one

another for a wide array of reasons.• Youths find support and unity with others facing

similar problems.• Gang activity can offer status and a sense of

success. • Gangs offer members a sense of belonging and

self-esteem.• Financial gain.

Chapter 5

Gang Behavior• Gangs are portrayed in the media as in constant violent

confrontation with one another and with the general public.• Contrary to this portrayal, gangs participate in a variety of

different behaviors.• Violent confrontations are rare relative to other gang behavior.• Leisure activities: drinking and other drug use, partying,

gambling, and companionship are most common.• Gangs are involved in significant numbers of crimes.• Some or most/all gang members are reportedly involved in

aggravated assaults, burglaries, motor vehicle thefts, larcenies, and drug sales.

• Self-report data show gang members accounted for at least 8 out of every 10 violent crimes and 7 out of 10 drug offenses.

Chapter 5

Gang Behavior

Drug Activity• Gang members use and sell drugs, and drug sales are

an integral part of some organized gangs.• Drug involvement is highly variable.• Drug sales may involve sales only among its own

members.• Distribution of drugs may be tied to more organized,

older gangs.• While there is a great deal of drug use among youth

gangs, the sale of drugs for profit by local gangs is highly variable.

Chapter 5

Gang BehaviorGang Violence• Level of violence and physical aggression has clearly

changed and increased over time.• Violence today is a more open activity directed at a

greater array of targets, both inside and outside the immediate gang.

• Bulk of violence is aimed at other gang members.• Roughly 5% of all homicides are gang-related.• More than 7% of homicides committed with firearms

are gang-related. • Larger cities report more gang violence (see next slide).

Chapter 5

Gang Behavior

Chapter 5

Gang Behavior• Violence no longer conforms to the typical image of a

rumble or gang fight that was planned with rules of engagement.

• Most violence appears in forays: – typically an attack by two or three youths upon a single

member (or possibly a few members) of a rival gang– often a “drive-by” shooting– retaliatory forays become a self-perpetuating activity– appears random, partly due to the use of automobiles and

the willingness to attack when innocent bystanders are present

– use lethal weapons, particularly firearms

Chapter 5

Gang Behavior

• Some gangs tend to specialize their criminal activity.• Asian gangs appear to be very profit-oriented and

tend to restrict their deviant activities to those that bring a monetary return.

• Chicano gangs are strongly territorial-based, which provides the gang with a delineated area.– more heavily involved in drug use and general deviance

• Skinhead gangs advocate white supremacy.• Tagger gangs view themselves as urban artists.

Chapter 5

Gang Behavior

Explaining Gang Behavior• Reasons behind gang behavior and violence vary.• Provide a means of gaining status.• Turf or territory provides a sense of ownership and

control.• Financial gain is a third major reason

Chapter 5

Gang Behavior

Do Gangs Cause Delinquency?• Selection model: gangs recruit or attract delinquent

youths.• Social facilitation model: belonging to a gang is the

cause of increased deviance.• Enhancement model: middle ground in which gangs

recruit delinquency-prone youths and enhance their deviance.

• Enhancement model is most likely.

Chapter 5

Gang InterventionSpergel and Curry (1993) — five common intervention strategies:Suppression Includes any form of social control in which the criminal justice system (police, courts, or corrections) or society attempt to impose formal or informal limits on behavior.Social Intervention Basically a social work approach to working with gangs in the neighborhoods (such as detached worker programs).Organizational Change and Development Deals with altering the organization(s) that respond(s) to gang problems, such as through the establishment of gang units or specialized training of its personnel.Community Organization Efforts aimed at mobilizing the community toward self-improvement and change, including both physical and social alterations.Opportunities Provision Recognizing the lack of meaningful jobs and the training needed to succeed, and taking steps to change the problems; education, vocational training, and job placement are elements.

Chapter 5

Gang Intervention

• Based on survey responses:– Suppression most used but least effective.– Opportunities provision least used but most effective.

• Vigil: effectively responding to gang and gang problems requires a balanced strategy incorporating elements of prevention, intervention, and law enforcement.

• Creating solutions that address the economies of the area, the sociocultural factors surrounding the youths, and the sociopsychological marginality of the youths is important.

Chapter 5

Gang Intervention

Detached Worker Programs• Place gang workers into the community and free the workers

from heavy paperwork and administrative requirements. • Spend considerable time in the neighborhoods, maintain

consistent contact with the gangs, and provide immediate assistance and input to the youths.

• Rely on past gang members for workers.• Klein (1969) evaluation: Greater contact between the gangs

and a worker led to gangs becoming closer and more unified, and the gangs were more successful at recruiting new members.

• Recent proposals for intervention with gangs typically include a heavy detached worker component.

Chapter 5

Gang Intervention

Legal and Law Enforcement Changes• California’s STEP Act (1988) (Street Terrorism

Enforcement and Prevention)– Criminalizes membership in a street gang.

– Civil penalties against gang members for: • associating with one another in public• promoting their gang • displaying gang symbols• being involved in other similar gang behavior

• Other states have specific enforcement statutes for gangs.

Chapter 5

Gang InterventionBoston Gun Project• Targeted firearms use by gangs.• Pulling levers approach: deter behavior by taking a zero-

tolerance stance with regard to any transgressions.• Entire gang is subject to increased attention from police and

the criminal justice system for a single transgression.– Enforce trespassing laws and curfews, frequently stop and question

gang members, enforce vagrancy and loitering ordinances, check on and enforce probation and parole rules, seize illegal goods obtained through illegal activities, restrict plea bargaining, and impose the highest penalties possible for even the most minor transgressions.

• A form of “legal harassment.”• Significant decreases in several offenses, including homicides

and assaults with firearms, found.

Chapter 5

Gang Intervention

Project TOUGH (Los Angeles) — Taking Out Urban GangHeadquarters• Employment of civil abatement procedures to control or

eliminate locations that gang members frequent or own. • Police and civil authorities, including health departments and

building code enforcement, will bring lawsuits in civil court. – Can result in eviction and/or property forfeiture.

• Injunctions against gang members to stay away from the property.

• Civil suits easier than invoking the criminal code:– Burden of proof is “preponderance of evidence” rather

than “proof beyond a reasonable doubt.” – No right to a jury trial.

Chapter 5

Gang Intervention

The G.R.E.A.T. Program — Gang Resistance Education andTraining • Began in 1991 under a grant from the Bureau of Alcohol,

Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF).• Taught by local police officers in middle schools.• Goal of the program is to:

– Prevent youth crime, violence, and gang involvement while developing a positive relationship among law enforcement, families, and our young people to create safer communities (Bureau of Justice Assistance, 2005).

• Provide youths with the necessary skills for identifying high-risk situations and resisting the pressure/allure of taking part in gangs and gang activity.

• Teach nonviolent conflict resolution techniques to the youths.

Chapter 5

G.R.E.A.T. Middle School Curriculum

1. Welcome to G.R.E.A.T.2. What’s the Real Deal?3. It’s About Us4. Where Do We Go From Here?5. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions6. Do You Hear What I Am Saying?7. Walk In Someone Else’s Shoes8. Say It Like You Mean It9. Getting Along Without Going Along10. Keeping Your Cool11. Keeping It Together12. Working It Out13. Looking Back

Chapter 5

Gang Intervention

G.R.E.A.T. (cont)• Also a six-week program for fourth and fifth grades, a six-

session family program, and a summer component. • Initial evaluation found:

– Less victimization, less risk-taking behavior, improved attitudes toward the police, increased numbers of prosocial peers, and more negative views about gangs among those youths.

– Failed to find any impact on reduced gang participation.

• Evaluation of revised curriculum:– Participants are more positive about the police, are less positive about

gangs, more often use refusal skills they have been taught, are better able to resist peer pressure, and are less involved in gangs.

Chapter 5

Gang Intervention

Community-Wide Approach to Gang Prevention,Intervention, and Suppression Program• Comprehensive set of strategies including suppression, social

intervention, organizational change and development, community organization, and opportunities provision.

• Implemented and evaluated in five cities:– Uneven implementation.– Struggles with building programs that included grassroots community

organizations.– More successful programs offered a wider array of activities that could

be considered opportunities provision and social interventions.

• Impact on gang membership and crime is mixed.

Chapter 5

Gang InterventionOverview• Many methods of intervention have had little impact.• Some evaluations suggest that intervention

exacerbates the problem.• Most programs do not address the major underlying

cause of ganging and gang behavior—the lack of social opportunities.

• Little attention in most gang interventions to lack of education, training, and jobs.

• Arrest, prosecution, and incarceration remain the mainstay of society’s response.