NCJ Number
220826
Journal
Virginia Child Protection Newsletter Volume: 80 Dated: Summer 2007 Pages: 1-9,23
Editor(s)
Joann Grayson Ph.D.
Date Published
2007
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article explores youth gangs and describes what innovative communities are offering youth as alternatives to gang involvement.
Abstract
A balance of prevention, intervention, and suppression are tactics seen as likely to be far more effective than reliance on a single prevention strategy. Prevention strategies are seen as needing to include primary, secondary, and tertiary efforts. Efforts to prevent, intervene, or suppress gangs must be systematic, sustained, and based on both local knowledge and on scientific research that is up-to-date. An effective program model is likely to contain multiple components such as prevention, social intervention, rehabilitation, suppression, and community mobilization supported by a management information system and rigorous program evaluation. Implementation is also crucial. “Solutions to gang problems require long-term commitment; quick solutions tend to not have lasting impact.” It is unclear how gangs intersect with the overall problem of juvenile delinquency, as well as unclear whether or not specific intervention and prevention techniques are needed to prevent gangs or if prevention should be aimed at the broader goal of preventing juvenile crime. Gangs form when institutional offerings and social structures are weak. Youth join gangs for status, security, money, power, excitement, and new experiences. This article explores the concept of gangs and gang members and community gang intervention and prevention in an attempt to help communities promote a positive transition from teenage years to young adulthood for all youth.