1st Edition

Introduction to Gangs in America

    170 Pages 10 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Gangs have long been a social and criminal threat to society. Introduction to Gangs in America explains how gangs are addressed as a criminal justice and public policy problem, providing a student-friendly, easily accessible, concise overview of the role, place, structure, and activities of gangs in American society. The book describes what gangs are, what differentiates them from each other, how they share similarities, and how they fit into contemporary American culture.

    The authors explore the history and structure of gangs, reveal their clandestine activities, and analyze their social impact. The book also includes information on gender issues in gangs, and provides insight into how gangs impact American educational institutions

    Offering an insider’s account, the book provides in-depth profiles of specific gangs, including:

    • Europe’s five major biker gangs
    • The Outlaws
    • The Hell’s Angels
    • The Bandidos
    • The Pagans
    • Bloods
    • Aryan Brotherhood
    • Black Guerrilla Family
    • Mexican Mafia
    • Texas Syndicate
    • Neta

    Discussion questions appear at the end of each chapter, stimulating debate and classroom discussion.

    It may never be possible to eradicate gangs from our culture. But by understanding their structure, their strengths and vulnerabilities, and how they operate, law enforcement can better protect the public from their nefarious activities. This text gives future law enforcement professionals rare insider insight into a subject typically shrouded in secrecy.

    Gangs
    The Structure of Gangs
    Types of Gangs
    Racial and Ethnic Gangs
    Chicano/Hispanic Gangs
    Asian Gangs
    Types of Gang Members
    Gang Members: Perpetrators and Victims
    Gangs and Homicide
    Defining and Counting Gang Homicides
    Characteristics of Gang Homicides
    Who Is Involved
    Where Gang Homicides Occur
    How Gang Homicides Are Committed
    Drive-By Shootings

    Homicide and Other Criminal Offenses
    Gang Homicide and Community Crime Rates
    Gang Homicide and Other Homicides/Assaults
    Drug Trafficking
    Gangs and Police
    Police Response to Gangs
    Police Gang Units
    Gang Unit Officers
    Community Partners Working with Police
    Creating and Sustaining a Successful Strategy to Address
    Gang Problems
    Gangs and Schools
    Extent of Gangs in Schools
    Motivations to Joining a Gang
    Gang Recruitment
    Effects of Gang Membership and School Gang Affiliation
    Gangs and School Violence
    Motorcycle Gangs
    America’s Motorcycle Gangs: A Brief History
    Biker Violence in Other Countries
    Europe’s Five Major Biker Gangs
    Motorcycle Gangs in the United States: The Big Four
    The Outlaws
    The Hell’s Angels
    The Bandidos
    The Pagans
    Gang Structure
    The Outlaws Motorcycle Gang
    History of the Outlaws
    Organization and Definition of Officers
    Colors and Patches of Sets and Memberships
    A Day in the Life of an Outlaw
    Criminal Behaviors
    Brotherhood and Collegiality
    The Pagans Motorcycle Club
    History of the Pagans Motorcycle Club
    Membership
    Criminal Activities
    Patches and Colors
    Chapters and Subsets
    The Bandidos Motorcycle Club
    A Short History of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club
    Criminal History of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club
    The Hell’s Angels
    A Short History of the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club
    Membership Requirements
    Patches and Colors of the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club
    Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club Charters
    Crime, Criminals, and the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club
    Women in Gangs
    Research on Females in Gangs
    The Number of Females in Gangs
    Crimes and Delinquency of Females in Gangs
    Risk Factors Associated with Females Joining Gangs
    Prison Gangs
    Introduction
    What Is a Prison Gang?
    Profiles of Prison Gangs
    Bloods
    Aryan Brotherhood
    Black Guerrilla Family
    Mexican Mafia
    Texas Syndicate
    Neta
    Islamic Gangs
    Structure of Prison Gangs
    Prison Gangs and Prison Culture
    Prison Gang Leaders
    Prison Gangs and Violence
    How Prison Officials Work to Control Prison Gangs
    Gang Policy
    Community Policies
    Spergel and Curry’s Developmental Community
    Interventions
    Effectiveness of These Policies
    A Risk-Focused Approach
    Individual Characteristics
    Bonding
    Healthy Beliefs and Clear Standards
    Examples of Community Policies and Programs to Reduce
    Gangs and Gang Life
    Legal Policies
    Policing
    Prosecution
    Legislature
    References
    Index

    Biography

    Ronald M. Holmes, Richard Tewksbury, and George E. Higgins are with the Department of Justice Administration at the University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA.