Chapter 14 Youth Gangs

1. Chapter 14 Youth Gangs

2. Youth 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

3. Female 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

4. Common Identifiers • Names, colors, tattoos, insignias, language, hairstyles, jewelry, hand signs, graffiti

5. Gang Membership • All large cities, most mid-sized cities, and many small cities have a significant gang presence • Rural communities report significant gang activity

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Controlling 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