Description and Analysis of the Different Types of Gangs in the US

The Irish, Jewish, and Italian gangs started in the 1800’s, and the blacks and mexicans started in the 1940’s. Although there were many gangs, there were also gangs like the KKK which were formed to protect themselves from reconstruction of

In Policing Gangs in America, Charles Katz and Vincent Webb describes every issue in American Gangs today. The ultimate goal of this book is how the gang officers work and the different kind of atmosphere they work in. Their job isn’t like other law enforcement jobs. It’s one of the more dangerous occupation in the Criminal Justice system. These gang officers focus on how they react to public gang issues.

After many mixtapes and nearing the edge of household name status, Maryland rapper Logic drops his first album. In this album is a song titled Gang Related. This song tells the story of what environment and household he grew up in. His brother is in a gang and sells cocaine to his father in front of him. Logic's mother is in an out of mental institutions, all the while logic is growing up and trying not to get shot when he walks outside. With drugs and gangs all around him, it is quite amazing that he got out and become a famous rapper. Gang Related also has a core message of stopping the violence, which leads to a question, is this song about his story or a message about ending the violence?

Gangs have existed in the United States for over 200 years. It all started when the first immigrants came to the U.S.A. Most of them came for a better life but many of them ended up in poverty. The first gangs were formed among poor adolescents who grouped together for the sake of socialisation and protection. They were of the same race or the same ethnic background. The first known gang specialized in crimes was called "The Five Points". They consisted of Irish immigrants and was established in New York City. They dressed in a specific way and used monikers or nicknames. Another early gang were the "Forty Thieves". Their gang leader was Edward Coleman and they formed in 1826. New York City's early gangs had an easy time of it because of

Gangs come into existence and flourish because the needs of the young people in a neighborhood or culture or family are not being met. The gang, in essence, fills the void, there are several gangs in the south, west and east sides of Chicago, with gang wars over territories that become disastrous. The gangs known in Chicago are the Latin Kings, Maniac Latin Disciples, King Cobras, Gangster Disciples, Vice Lords, Black Disciples, but there are up to hundred or more street/folk gangs in the different neighborhoods of the sides of Chicago. Many consist of young children that may have dropped out of school or have family members affiliated with gangs, they are easier to persuade and control, they are more likely to search for somewhere where they could feel needed or apart of something, and that’s how gangs grow and recruit new

These gangs came in from European countries through Ellis Island. They stayed in New York until they had enough money to move and then went to different booming cities across the United States. One of these gangs was a group of Jewish immigrants who realized that with the enhanced technology in Detroit and the booming industry that it would be a perfect place for a gang. This gang was the “Purple Gang”. Many gangs like the “Purple Gang” were just a group of immigrants who were all the same race who wanted to make money (the easy way). Most gangs were all related to each other or they new someone in the business. The had no education, didn't know how to speak English and still made violence and havoc among booming cities. But unlike the “Purple Gang” and other foreign “gangsters” there were people like Al Capone. Al Capone was an American born Roman Catholic who realized during the Prohibition Era with the rise of gang violence that he could control the whole industry. He became a co-founder of the Chicago Mafia and became known as “Public Enemy Number 1”. He truly started and was the head of gang violence throughout the country. He would kill people, people would

Throughout history there is one commonality for the emergence of gangs. Most gangs emerge and develop as each gang tries to establish their identity as well as their desire for money, prosperity and opportunity. They commonly believe they can acquire

Present Day Gangs - Many American gangs began, and still exist, in urban areas. In many cases, national street gangs originated in major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and Miami, and they later migrated to other American cities such as Atlanta, Cleveland, Nashville, Dallas, Memphis, New Orleans, Orlando, Detroit and Houston. (Wikipedia) There are some 33,000 violent street gangs, motorcycle gangs, and prison gangs and about 1.4 million members are criminally active in the United States today. Many of these gangs are sophisticated and very well organized. They all use violence to control their neighborhoods and to support their illegal activities. Their activities include robbery, gun and drug trafficking, fraud, extortion, and some prostitution rings. Gangs are responsible for 48 percent of the violent crimes in some areas and up to 90 percent in other areas. There are many prison gangs that are very racially motivated. Some gangs such as the Folk Nation and People Nation originated in the

Originally gangs started because of, “class distinction, bias, and racism.” (Valdez, 2009). Class distinction, bias, and racism still exist today, but are no longer

As a reader, I found thi¬¬s book very interesting and very easy to relate to. For me, life was not easy growing up in Atlanta as a black male, as a child I consistently witnessed situations similar to what Sudhir Venkatesh experienced such as gang beatings and the selling of illegal substances. Growing up I moved homes and schools a few times and from this experience I learned that initially you will not be accepted in a certain community, you have to slowly get accustomed to the “norms” before you are welcomed in. Surprisingly the streets are a very judgmental place, just for being different Venkatesh was called a “Mexican” and “nigger” when in fact he was neither. I can recall numerous circumstances growing up when I was unfairly judged and

cities. What has made these groups come about? Why do kids feel that being in a

Street gangs in this country can probably be traced back to the first wave of Europeans who migrated to the colonies for a better life for themselves and their families. Many of the first gangs were formed as a means of self protection, with the thinking that there is simply strength in numbers. The missions of gangs in today’s society have grown and emerged to include many violent criminal avenues, including drug trafficking, prostitution, money laundering, and extortion but the original thinking that there is strength in numbers remains true. Criminology experts believe that the number of teens involved in gangs or gang activity may be as high as 1 in every 5 people in most urban areas. Those number jump to 1 in every 3 people in

Gang members are distributed all across different sections of the world. At 57.3 percent, they are particularly found in larger cities. Larger cities appear to be the primary destination for gangs, but suburban countries standing at 24.4 percent also remain premiere locations for gangs. They both account for over 80 percent nationwide. People are involved with gangs for various reasons such as living in a family with a low-income, peer pressure, desire for protection, underprivileged childhood, and the desire to become welcomed in a decidedly new society.

Abstract: This review studies in depth research done on street gangs. Social issues have social scientists turning away from including this in their research around this time. Sociological views have been changed dramatically in the past 40 years due to gender and racial studies. Also, women have started to join gangs since America has been changed with woman equality laws passing.

The problem of classifying gangs has interested both sociologists and law enforcement. For the purpose of law enforcement, a gang is generally defined as an organized group among the members of which there is well-designed communication. This paper evaluates classification schemes from current research for gangs. The objective is to discover the issues and problems in creating classifications for gangs including a definition which delineates what constitutes a gang and differentiates it from other social and sports groups. The paper also compares approaches to classifications of gangs and evaluates how these classifications provide specific insights or information about gangs in a community.