NCJ Number
137696
Date Published
1992
Length
225 pages
Annotation
This handbook provides current information about racial and ethnic gangs in California and addresses efforts being made by government agencies, community-based organizations, and educational institutions to deter criminal activities of street gangs.
Abstract
California failed to address the problems caused by street gangs when they first appeared in the State, based on the mistaken belief that such gangs would eventually disband. Early gangs were not given much attention by the majority of the population, probably because they were comprised of ethnic minority groups who initially targeted only members of their own communities. Government officials did not express concern over the criminal street gang problem until these gangs entered middle- and upper-class neighborhoods, primarily to sell drugs to the children living there. Street gangs of the 1990's attract not only neglected and abused youth but also children from families who care about them. Street gang members are increasingly recruited from middle-class, predominantly white neighborhoods. Gang members are also getting younger, with many recruited from elementary schools. As of March 1992, there were 942 street gangs and 103,520 gang members in the Los Angeles County area alone. Of the 942 street gangs, 452 were Hispanic, 299 were black, and 191 were classified as other (Asian and white). Most street gangs are involved to some degree in drug trafficking, and virtually all gang members carry knives and weapons. Although coordination among California law enforcement agencies regarding criminal street gangs has improved in recent years, these agencies are not uniform in reporting and tracking gang members and gang-related crimes. Law enforcement and judicial system efforts to deal with the gang problem are discussed, and recommendations to deter criminal activities of street gangs are offered. Footnotes and photographs