NCJ Number
161472
Date Published
1992
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This is an assessment of the gang problem in Maryland.
Abstract
This report limits its focus to community- or neighborhood-based gangs and within this focus makes a distinction between street gangs having solely adult or mixed adult and juvenile membership and youth gangs composed of juveniles only. It also sets up a classification system for gangs based on the type of criminal activity in which they are engaged. Finally, it presents elements that characterize a neighborhood- or community-based gang, i.e., leadership, turf, regular meetings, and conspiracy to commit criminal acts. Given the cursory reportings generated for this overview, Maryland would not appear to have much of a gang problem. However, there is much not known or not revealed because of an absence of sophisticated intelligence reporting. There is concern that Baltimore may have a number of neighborhood youth groups who have evolved or are evolving into full-fledged street gangs either as a response to the impetus of drug dealing or from other promptings. Another element adding to the potential for gang development in Baltimore and elsewhere is the influx into Maryland of drug traffickers from New York and their efforts to organize drug markets in the new area. Footnotes, appendix