NCJ Number
164725
Date Published
1997
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Studies of the criminal behavior of gangs in Colorado, Florida, and Ohio are reported that compare gang members to non-gang members, look at environmental circumstances associated with gang criminal behavior, and examine self-reported data by gang members on their activities.
Abstract
The studies focused on emerging versus chronic gang sites and explored the gang situation at the three sites based on police department records. Consideration was also paid to gang resistance and reasons why people did not join gangs, police responses to gangs and drugs, gang member imprisonment, and gang- related deaths. The studies found crimes committed by gang members included property, drug, and violent offenses. A progression was observed in the commission of these offenses that started with property offenses and moved up to violent offenses. Significant differences were observed between gang and nongang members.