NCJ Number
114335
Date Published
1988
Length
87 pages
Annotation
This paper is a treatment of the definitions, methodology, and problems peculiar to the process of reporting street gang crime in Chicago.
Abstract
It describes various aspects of the street gang phenomenon and the traits and characteristics of street gang crime, in particular, as they influence the reporting of the Chicago Police Departments' Gang Crimes Section. Topics covered included a description of the Gang Crimes Section, the definition of a street gang, the identification of a gang-related-event, traits of gang crime, problems in the reporting process, and the 'supergang' phenomenon. A description of various aspects of street gang crime is provided based on a review of 8,603 crimes reported from January 1987 through July 1988. The reporting system developed to aid in street gang crime enforcement conforms to Uniform Crime Report requirements, but also includes descriptors or trait terms describing the events surrounding gang crimes. This permits the recognition of patterns of conduct that are quintessentially a gang function rather than motivated by extrinsic factors or engaged in by an individual who also happened to be a gang member. Despite this, problems persist, such as under-reporting, lack of victim cooperation, initial recognition of gang association, victim hostility and intimidation, and false reporting. Nonetheless, a picture of Chicago gang crime emerges as a largely Black and Hispanic problem where conflict is intraracial. There is increasing involvement in narcotics; it is geographically concentrated; and it is more violent than urban crime in general. Maps, figures, and 22 tables. (Author abstract modified)