The Gang Activity Within Our Community Essay

As the semester has gone on and I have started to learn more about gang culture this question has become harder to answer. If you would of asked me this 4 weeks ago, I would of told you that without a doubt joining a gang is 100% by choice. That no one forces you to do something besides you. But as I have gotten to see overtime, other factors of life go into this decision. And that sometimes you might be swayed towards the gang life because life has dealt you a hand that has made it feel impossible not to. With that said majority of myself still feels that yes joining a gang is in fact by choice. In chapter 2 of our assigned reading, J.T. had his life on the straight and narrow. He graduated college and took a job that didn’t pay much but was

The American street gang was always seen as a unique entity despite how it had changed over time, despite the differences of where it is located and even despite the difference in its substructure (Klein 3). This paper would discuss the unique and general nature of an American street gang. It would discuss the motorcycle gang, Hell’s Angels and how they characterized the unique nature of an American gang. It would also consider the dangerous tendencies of juvenile delinquents in fueling the growth of the American street gang member population.

Community crime prevention programs incorporate practices that target changes in a community’s culture, physical environment, or infrastructure to reduce crime such as gang involvement and violence (Citation Needed). This paper will examine the following three different strategies used in crime prevention programs: focused deterrence strategy, problem-solving policing, and situational crime prevention. Deterrence strategy or theory states that crimes can be prevented when the costs of committing the crime are perceived by the offender to outweigh the benefits of committing the crime (Braga et al., 2001). Programs that use the theory of situational crime prevention believe that crime can be reduced by identifying and then eliminating the forces that facilitate would-be offenders’ criminal acts (Clarke, 1992). Problem-oriented policing is an analytic method used by police to develop strategies that prevent and reduce crime. Under this method, a law enforcement agency will systematically analyze the problems of a community, search for effective solutions to the problems, and evaluate the impact of their efforts (Weisburd et al., 2004).

Despite the discrete and sly manner of gangs, their presence and acts have affected and continue to affect the U.S in many aspects. Since their early beginnings in the 1780s, shortly after the Revolutionary War, gangs have had control and power in many areas of the U.S. When gangs were still a new idea in the U.S most had real jobs and few were involved in serious crimes (Wolff 6). It wasn’t until the nineteenth century, a time where the U.S economy was in a rut and people were fighting for jobs, until these gangs became a problem. Most of these gang formations sprung from European immigrants who came to America and were pushed aside. This led to them having to struggle with finding jobs, which in turn gave

As declared by Ed Royce: “ This bill is a comprehensive plan, that will increase gang related prosecutions, and prevent gang related crime. “ (House Passes Gangbuster ...S. Congressman Ed Royce)

Throughout history there has been research and data gathered about gangs, their activities, and crimes. This paper will discuss and examine how gangs can be classified as social systems, what does a gang do for its members, and the overall evolution of gangs. The changes I will focus on in particular are the crimes or violent acts the gang commit, weapon advancements, drug trafficking, the purpose for drug trafficking, and the wars amongst different gangs.

Let’s look at gangs and delinquency from a different perspective. What is the meaning of delinquency: crimes or other morally wrong acts: illegal or immoral behavior especially by young people. Therefore delinquent gang’s would be a group of youths that in a group commits crime. I thought that I knew everything there is about gangs and delinquency, but chapter nine was extremely informative.

Many people in our society do not think that anything bad will ever happen to them. These people always hear about the issues and problems that are in the world today, but never think they will take place close to home. Gang violence is a major problem in our society today that takes place in many different areas of the world. If nothing is done soon, gang violence could take place in our neighborhoods.

Where gangs fill the streets and drugs are hidden in between dresser drawers, young people are being influenced to participate in misdeeds. South Central is known to be the “ghetto.” Because some young adolescents feel abandoned by their families, they solicit to gangs to build a family that was once “dysfunctional”. Everyday young teenagers are being manipulated by thugs to join their “family.”

Gang violence in America is reaching alarming proportions. Chicago police Commander Donald Hilbring states, "Gangs are everywhere. All throughout the city of Chicago, the suburbs, throughout the state, throughout the nation." Chicago police state that so far this year, more than 100 gang-related murders have occurred.

History and DevelopmentAccording to (Siegel and Welsh 2012, p. 326). In the beginning there were groups formed, and from groups to gangs. The records shows that gangs was developed in other nations back in the 1600s. Many of these gangs had a negative effects on society, these types of gangs participated in many illegal and criminal activities. They were label as stereotyped with negative names, there were mischievous in robbing, rape, extortion, theft and vandalism. Gangs spread in the United States in the 1800s, there were 1300 youth gangs that had formed in the city of Chicago.

Gangs are a serious and persistent problem within society. According to the National Youth Gang Survey, “from 2002 to 2010, the estimated number of youth gangs increased by nearly 35 percent (from 21,800 to 29,400)” (Egley and Howell, 2012). In addition, “one-third of cities, towns and rural counties reported gang problems in 2010” (Egley and Howell, 2012).

    In the article “History Of Street Gangs In The United States” By James C. Howell (Howell, james. National Gang Center Bulletin , 2 May 2010) States  “The history of street gangs in the United States begins with their emergence on the East Coast around 1783, as the American Revolution ended (Sante, 1991). But there is considerable justification for questioning the seriousness of these early gangs. The best available evidence suggests that the more serious street gangs likely did not emerge until the early part of the nineteenth century (Sante, 1991).” Based on this quote James article offers us some honest advise on why it's important, dangers and respectful to know the trust history about gangs. The article is very

Gangs are becoming prevalent in today’s society and within our schools. More and more young people are turning to gangs in an attempt to escape their everyday lives and the future, which they perceive as dismal and bleak. They are initially attracted to the prestige and cash flow, which is glamorized by the street gang. Many gangs are actively involved in criminal misconduct, such as drug and gun trafficking, burglaries and homicides. However, street gangs are not just a criminal justice issue, but a social problem, which is triggered by poverty, peer pressure, boredom, despair and lacking a sense of belonging.

Gangs are a violent reality that people have to deal with in today's cities. What has made these groups come about? Why do some kids feel that being in a gang is an acceptable and prestigious way to live? There are many different theories to these questions. On the surface, gangs may appear to be shallow and materialistic; a result of human beings' personal wants, but there are speculations that are more profound. In reference to the way humans are influenced in society, there is valid evidence to distribute blame at negative forces of economic disadvantages, capitalism, and the media.