Youth gangs

Street social capital in the liquid city

by Jonathan Ilan

Published in 'Ethnography'

This article reflects on the lives of a group of young men on Ireland’s socio-economic periphery, focusing on how... more This article reflects on the lives of a group of young men on Ireland’s socio-economic periphery, focusing on how exclusion shapes their cultural orientation and orders their spatial practices. Whilst populist imaginaries and certain academic understandings of young, disadvantaged, urban males tend to cast them in the role of claiming and violently defending territories, their relationships to space may be considerably more transient and fluid. Within the late-modern ‘liquid city’ exclusion has cast the young men researched here into migratory practices, where they must negotiate relationships with potentially hostile peers in various parts of the urban environment. Adopting street cultural norms of rugged masculinity, crimino-entrepreneurialism and the recourse to violence can result in the accumulation of ‘street social capital’. This can allow disadvantaged young people to secure a sense of existential security, pleasurable experiences, disposable income and a culturally mediated notion of dignity, despite their spatial and socio-economic exclusion.

Troublesome Youth Groups, Gangs and Knife Carrying in Scotland

by Susan Batchelor

Gang Investigators’ Perceptions of Military-trained Gang Members (MTGM)

by Carter Smith

Co-authored with Dr. Yvonne Doll, accepted for publication in Critical Issues in Justice and Politics (Volume 5 Number 1 May 2012, ISSN 1940-3186) Keywords: articles of gangs in the army, military crime, research articles, us military training gangs, gang-related activity in the us armed forces increasing, dod strategic plan for gangs in the military, army definition of gang, army enlistment, gang activity in the us military, street gangs in the military, percent of military personnel have gang association

Abstract
Communities everywhere have experienced the negative effects of street gangs. The presence of... more Abstract
Communities everywhere have experienced the negative effects of street gangs. The presence of military-trained gang members (MTGMs) in the community increases the threat of violence to citizens. The problem addressed in this study was the apparently growing presence of military-trained gang members in civilian communities. The purpose of the study was to determine the perceived presence of military-trained gang members and to examine whether there was a relationship between the perceptions of gang investigators regarding the presence and the size of their jurisdictions, the proximity of their jurisdictions to a military installation, and the extent to which investigators participate in anti-gang activities. The statistical analyses used to test the hypotheses in this study were Pearson and Spearman Correlation Coefficients, independent means t tests, and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) Regression analysis. Respondents reported a mean of 11% of the gang members in their jurisdictions were MTGMs. The Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve were identified as the largest sources of MTGMs and the Bloods, Crips, and Gangster Disciples were the gangs most represented. Recommendations included all branches of the military therein should adopt a uniform definition of gangs. Military leaders should acknowledge the increase in gang-related crime affecting the military and address the problems caused for both military and civilian communities without attempting to quantify the threat level. Military leadership should continuously examine the activities of all suspected military gang members to determine active gang affiliation for retention purposes while evaluating any gang affiliation for security clearances. Military Law Enforcement liaison for recruiters should develop effective communication with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to assist with information sharing.

Tropa: Masculinity and Power in Sexual Health Seeking Behaviors among Male Youth Gangs

by Jeffry Acaba

Estudios sobre pandillas juveniles en El Salvador y Centroamérica: una revisión de su dimensión participativa [Studies on youth gangs in El Salvador and Central America: A review of their participative dimension]

by Nelson Portillo

Published in Apuntes de Psicología (Official College of Psychology of Western Andalucía, Seville, Spain), 2003, 21, 475-493.

Las pandillas juveniles o maras representan uno de los fenómenos sociales más dramáticos de la historia reciente de El... more Las pandillas juveniles o maras representan uno de los fenómenos sociales más dramáticos de la historia reciente de El Salvador y otros países centroamericanos. Este artículo revisa, en conjunto, las metodologías utilizadas en investigaciones sobre pandillas juveniles realizadas en Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua y Costa Rica, desde la década de los años 80 hasta la fecha. Además, describe cómo la dimensión participativa emergió con insospechadas consecuencias en el estudio, Solidaridad y violencia en las pandillas del gran San Salvador (Cruz y Portillo, 1998), realizado con el apoyo directo y activo de pandilleros y pandilleras como investigadores. Dicho enfoque, denominado acá investigación sujeto-participante, difiere de las múltiples formas implementadas para estudiar las pandillas en Centroamérica y se plantea como una opción metodológica, democrática y alternativa, para acceder al mundo de dichos grupos juveniles desde el ámbito académico.
Palabras clave: pandillas juveniles, maras, Centroamérica, metodología, estudio participativo.

Street youth gangs known also “maras” represent one of the most dramatic social phenomena in the recent history of El Salvador and other Central American countries. This article reviews the different methodologies utilized in research conducted on street youth gangs in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, since the 1980 decade to the present. In addition, it describes how the participative dimension emerged with unexpected results in the study, Solidaridad y violencia en las pandillas del gran San Salvador [Solidarity and violence among San Salvador’s street gangs] (Cruz & Portillo, 1998), which was conducted with the direct and active participation of gang members as researchers. Such approach, called here subject-participant research, differs in many ways from other methodologies used in Central America to study street youth gangs and it is posed here as a more democratic and alternative methodology to access the world of such youth groups from the academia.
Key words: Street youth gangs, Maras, Central America, Methodology, Participatory Action Research.

The myth of girl gangs

by Susan Batchelor

Girls, gangs and violence: Assessing the evidence

by Susan Batchelor

Beyond dichotomy: Toward an explanation of young women’s involvement in violent street gangs

by Susan Batchelor

In B. Goldson (ed.) Youth ‘Gangs,’ Territoriality and Violence. Cullompton: Willan.

Both popular and academic accounts of gangs in the UK have tended to distinguish between two types of girls and young... more Both popular and academic accounts of gangs in the UK have tended to distinguish between two types of girls and young women who become gang-associated: first, those who regard themselves as ‘one of the lads’ and fight to defend themselves and, second, those who assume a more ancillary role as girlfriends of male gang members. In each account gang-associated girls are portrayed in highly gendered ways, whereby the focus centres on their deviation from traditional norms of femininity or, alternatively, their sexual exploitation by males within the gang (Batchelor, 2009). Yet in spite of these typologies, little is actually known about how British girls and young women view gang involvement, since most UK gang research has focussed on boys and young men. What is more - being primarily located in end of award reports to research funders - the data on girls that do exist lack a clear theoretical foundation in relation to gender. Whilst this emerging empirical work is useful in generating much needed descriptions of female gang involvement, it is far less effective at explaining such involvement. Building on the insights of feminist work on gangs in the United States and drawing upon interview data from research with young women in Scotland, this chapter examines the ways in which gender inequality shapes female gang involvement and participation in violence. The findings suggest that whilst dichotomous ‘tomboy’/‘sex object’ characterisations are present in young women’s accounts, these categories are inadequate for capturing the complexities of their gender identities.

Can A Gang Culture Ever Be Justified In A Culture Of Peace?

by Owais Rajput

Presentation slides International Peace Day Bradford 24.09.2011

In this presentation I tried to highligh the issues of HARD TO REACH COMMUNITIES living in UK e.g. 4th and 5th... more In this presentation I tried to highligh the issues of HARD TO REACH COMMUNITIES living in UK e.g. 4th and 5th generation born and bred in UK of British Muslims from Kashmiri heritage.

Gangsta glamour: youth, violence and racialised masculinities

by Karim Murji

Baron, Stephen W., and David B. Tindall. 1993. "Network Structure and Delinquent Attitudes within a Juvenile Gang." Social Networks, 15:255-273.

by David Tindall

Though there is agreement in the literature that juvenile delinquency is a group phenomenon, there is controversy... more Though there is agreement in the literature that juvenile delinquency is a group phenomenon, there is controversy regarding the explanation of this finding. Subcultural theorists argue that youths become delinquent through peer socialization in gangs, while control theorists contend that adolescents become delinquent & associate with delinquent others because they have weakened bonds to the conventional social order. Here, data collected via participant observation of a gang of 35 "punks" in a western Canadian city are drawn on to examine the role of social bonds & group structure in the generation of delinquency through the application of social network analysis. Results support the control explanation: those members who have the weakest bonds, regardless of gang participation, have the most delinquent attitudes. Though companionship alone does not lead youths to become delinquent, it should still be considered important in the explanation of delinquency.

A Comprehensive Literature Review of Military-Trained Gang Members

by Carter Smith

Published in the Journal of Gang Research (Fall 2011 - 19(1) 9-20)

Five databases were searched: ProQuest ABI/INFORM Global, Criminal Justice Periodicals, ProQuest Psychology Journals, and Sage Criminology. The keywords used included gang AND armed services OR military OR armed forces OR army OR navy OR air force. The search yielded 95 results. Abstracts and titles of each result were reviewed for relevance to the topic and none of the articles were found to meet the criteria. Beyond the above review, the author’s personal collection of gang-related literature was examined. This collection was compiled from periodic informal searches of sites that advertise books (e.g. Amazon), the Internet (for open access publications), and referrals from colleagues aware of the author’s interest in the subject since approximately 1990.

The U.S. military has seen an increase in crimes committed by gang members within the ranks. Authors of a recent assessment reported an increase in the investigation of gang-related incidents by military investigators in 2006 over previous years. While the presence of gang members in the military is not new, their presence has received increased attention from government leaders. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature in order to examine the prevalence of gang members with military training.

Keywords: gang activity in the us military, street gangs in the military, percent of military personnel have gang association, gangs in the military

Abstract
The U.S. military has seen an increase in crimes committed by gang members within the ranks. Authors of... more Abstract
The U.S. military has seen an increase in crimes committed by gang members within the ranks. Authors of a recent assessment reported an increase in the investigation of gang-related incidents by military investigators in 2006 over previous years. While the presence of gang members in the military is not new, their presence has received increased attention from government leaders. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature in order to examine the prevalence of gang members with military training.

NCJ Number: 236964

Index Term(s): Juvenile gangs ; Military crime ; Gang member attitudes

To cite this abstract, use the following link from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service:
http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=258984

Flashgangs and Flashgangbanging: How can local police prepare?

by Carter Smith

Keywords: flash gang, flash gangbanging, flash mobs, flash robs, gangs

Flash mobs, participants in an event in which a group of people are organized via some form of telecommunications, assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and sometimes seemingly pointless act for a brief time, and then disperse. A recent phenomenon synthesizes the activity of flash mobs and street gangs. Communities everywhere have experienced the negative effects of street gangs, and their proliferation has led to an increase in destructive crimes in the United States. A flash gang is a group that uses a social media connection to invite participants to a time and location where they commit a crime and then they split up. Local law enforcement needs to examine response policies to prepare for this new and dangerous phenomenon. Recent protests in the Middle East and North Africa were coordinated using similar strategies, spotlighting the power of using social media technology to oppose government action. The spontaneity and secrecy of the flash mob combined with the targeted crime and/or violence of the street gang produces a mix that is hard to combat even with inside intelligence. The instant access and extended reach of mobile phones and social media sites like Twitter and Facebook bring a twist that makes the spontaneous volatility even more difficult to prevent.

The response thus far by law enforcement seems to be the monitoring of social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). This may be the best and only way to know what’s going on in these instances. Of course the questions remain whether this will ultimately be constitutional and what do, how does law enforcement respond with this information that they have. Does this call for a dedicated team like a digital SWAT Team? Is the problem that police are not trained to respond to groups? Police are generally equipped to respond to individual for interaction, arrest, and prosecution, but throughout the criminal justice system there has been little training regarding organizational behavior.

Flash mobs, participants in an event in which a group of people are organized via some form of telecommunications,... more Flash mobs, participants in an event in which a group of people are organized via some form of telecommunications, assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and sometimes seemingly pointless act for a brief time, and then disperse. A recent phenomenon synthesizes the activity of flash mobs and street gangs. Communities everywhere have experienced the negative effects of street gangs, and their proliferation has led to an increase in destructive crimes in the United States. A flash gang is a group that uses a social media connection to invite participants to a time and location where they commit a crime and then they split up. Local law enforcement needs to examine response policies to prepare for this new and dangerous phenomenon. Recent protests in the Middle East and North Africa were coordinated using similar strategies, spotlighting the power of using social media technology to oppose government action. The spontaneity and secrecy of the flash mob combined with the targeted crime and/or violence of the street gang produces a mix that is hard to combat even with inside intelligence. The instant access and extended reach of mobile phones and social media sites like Twitter and Facebook bring a twist that makes the spontaneous volatility even more difficult to prevent.

Niños Soldados —Desesperación, Deshumanización y Conflictos

by John P. Sullivan

Spanish version of "Child Soldiers: Despair, Barbarization, and Conflict" in 'Air & Space Power Journal-Spanish Edition' First Trimester 2008.

LA GUERRA contemporánea ya no es del dominio exclusivo de los adultos y de las fuerzas de los estados. Los niños cada... more LA GUERRA contemporánea ya no es del dominio exclusivo de los adultos y de las fuerzas de los estados. Los niños cada vez están más involucrados en conflictos librados por actores que no son estados: guerrillas, terroristas, grupos de yihadistas, bandas, criminales y señores de la guerra. Estos grupos utilizan niños soldados para operar fuera de las normas bélicas y del imperio de la ley, y han abandonado prohibiciones vigentes desde hace mucho tiempo contra el terrorismo, ataques contra personas que no son combatientes, tortura, represalias y esclavitud. Estos personajes luchan entre ellos y contra los estados para conseguir territorio, lucrarse y saquear además de acelerar la deshumanización de la guerra. Este artículo examina el uso de niños en la guerra y en los conflictos armados. Repasa, específicamente, el problema de los niños soldado contemporáneos, y habla de los niños combatientes en tres situaciones: conflictos internos (guerras civiles e insurgencias), terrorismo y bandas criminales. Por último, describe la forma en que los niños se convierten en soldados y en las formas de responder a este problema.

Gang Injunctions

by Christopher E. Bruell

In Greene, H.T. & Gabbidon, S.L. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Race and Crime. Sage Publications.

Youth Gangs and the New Second Generation

by Carl L Bankston

Documenting the Pilot: the Military Gang Perception Questionnaire (MGPQ)

by Carter Smith

Published in the Journal of Gang Research (Summer 2011 - 18(4) 1-17)
For access to the full article, contact The Journal of Gang Research, the Official Publication of the National Gang Crime Research Center.

Journal of Gang Research
Subscription Department
National Gang Crime Research Center
P.O. Box 990
Peotone, IL 60468-0990
Or http://www.ngcrc.com/ngcrc/page2.htm

Keywords: gang activity in the us military, street gangs in the military, percent of military personnel have gang association, gangs in the military

Roughly 80% of all crimes were committed by members of criminal gangs, and many gang members have had military... more Roughly 80% of all crimes were committed by members of criminal gangs, and many gang members have had military training. No prior research that addressed the effects of Military-Trained Gang Members (MTGMs) on the civilian community was identified. Using the current literature, interviews with gang investigators and MTGMs, and the practical experience of the researcher as a guide, the process of survey design was completed. The assistance of subject matter experts was used to develop and refine the survey for length, format, and scope, and the survey was developed for online distribution. Pilot data was collected. After data analysis, the MGPQ was modified and revised, resulting in the final draft of the survey for the study.

View from the field: The early days of military gang investigating

by Carter Smith

Published in the Journal of Gang Research (Summer 2011 - 18(4) 46-52.) For access to the full article, contact The Journal of Gang Research, the Official Publication of the National Gang Crime Research Center.

Journal of Gang Research
Subscription Department
National Gang Crime Research Center
P.O. Box 990
Peotone, IL 60468-0990
Or http://www.ngcrc.com/ngcrc/page2.htm

Keywords: gang activity in the us military, street gangs in the military, percent of military personnel have gang association, gangs in the military

There were roughly one million gang members in the United States at the end of 2008. The 2009 U.S. Army Criminal... more There were roughly one million gang members in the United States at the end of 2008. The 2009 U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Command (CID) Gang Activity Threat Assessment documented a twofold increase in felonies since the 2006 report. The percentage of gang crimes involving military persons was only .41% of the total number of felony investigations. Over 10% of gang members in civilian communities have military training. The most common gang-related crimes involved drug trafficking, with 33% of the reported felonies that year (CID). Gang-related aggravated assaults, housebreaking and larceny cases, attempted homicides, and sexual assault investigations were also reported (CID).

Parenting and Children’s Resilience in Disadvantaged Communities

by Pete Seaman

Pete Seaman, Katrina Turner, Malcolm Hill, Anne Stafford and Moira Walker

An exploration of how families in disadvantaged communities manage parent-child relationships.

Recent... more An exploration of how families in disadvantaged communities manage parent-child relationships.

Recent government policies in relation to child welfare, juvenile justice and area regeneration emphasise the importance of effective parenting.

Parent-focused interventions primarily affect families living in disadvantaged communities, but there has been relatively little research into the challenges of bringing up children in these environments. This report explores how families in these communities manage parent-child relationships during the middle childhood.

Theorien zu US-amerikanischen Jugendgangs

by André Keil

Published in 2010