Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Chapter 14 Youth Gangs

Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Chapter 14 Youth GangsChapter 14 Youth Gangs


Youth GangsYouth Gangs

A loose or formal collection of 12- to 24-year-olds who identify themselves as a common group, have a group name, wear group clothing, and use other group identifiers

A loose or formal collection of 12- to 24-year-olds who identify themselves as a common group, have a group name, wear group clothing, and use other group identifiers


Female GangsFemale Gangs

Number of female members of male gangs and all-female gangs is steadily rising

Females involved in fewer violent crimes than males, more in property and status offenses

Number of female members of male gangs and all-female gangs is steadily rising

Females involved in fewer violent crimes than males, more in property and status offenses


Common IdentifiersCommon Identifiers

Names, colors, tattoos, insignias, language, hairstyles, jewelry, hand signs, graffiti

Names, colors, tattoos, insignias, language, hairstyles, jewelry, hand signs, graffiti


Gang MembershipGang Membership

All large cities, most mid-sized cities, and many small cities have a significant gang presence

Rural communities report significant gang activity

All large cities, most mid-sized cities, and many small cities have a significant gang presence

Rural communities report significant gang activity


Gang Membership and Criminal Behavior

Gang Membership and Criminal Behavior

A clear relationship between gang activity and criminal behavior exists

Youth gang members are more involved than non-gang members, even where non-gang members are high risk in other ways

A clear relationship between gang activity and criminal behavior exists

Youth gang members are more involved than non-gang members, even where non-gang members are high risk in other ways


Risk Factors for Gang Membership

Risk Factors for Gang Membership

Early involvement in delinquency Violence and drug use Poor academic performance Poor parent-child relationship Disorganized neighborhood Peers involved in gangs

Early involvement in delinquency Violence and drug use Poor academic performance Poor parent-child relationship Disorganized neighborhood Peers involved in gangs


Penalty Enhancement for Gang Membership

Penalty Enhancement for Gang Membership

Most states have enhanced penalty provisions if the defendant is involved in a gang

These statutes require intent to engage in criminal enterprise

Gang membership qualifies juveniles as habitual juvenile offenders

Most states have enhanced penalty provisions if the defendant is involved in a gang

These statutes require intent to engage in criminal enterprise

Gang membership qualifies juveniles as habitual juvenile offenders


Controlling GangsControlling Gangs Statutes are difficult to craft Many states issue injunctions against

gang activities States apply anti-gathering, loitering,

and anti-hazing laws to gangs, especially initiation rites

States require youths to register as gang members

Statutes are difficult to craft Many states issue injunctions against

gang activities States apply anti-gathering, loitering,

and anti-hazing laws to gangs, especially initiation rites

States require youths to register as gang members

Documents

Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Chapter 14 Youth Gangs