NCJ Number
121837
Editor(s)
G J Bensinger
Date Published
1986
Length
34 pages
Annotation
A panel composed of Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, youth workers, and various experts on gangs discusses the effectiveness of efforts to counter gang crime in Chicago.
Abstract
Favorable comments on efforts to counter juvenile gangs in Chicago note the decline in gang-related homicides and the increase in gang-related arrests. The Chicago Intervention Network (CIN), a program to counter gangs, is given generally high marks by the panelists. The CIN includes a school education program designed to prevent students' involvement in gangs; the creation of safe school zones; and the use of street intervention teams who work the streets at night to defuse gang-related conflicts and report potential incidents to police. Some problems noted are the decline of Federal dollars for existing and needed programs, inadequate research on the nature and scope of the problem and program effectiveness, and the trend toward larger instead of smaller correctional facilities for juveniles. The latter tends to foster gang activity in such facilities and the fueling of gang activity in the community when gang members are released. The panel also discusses the need for countering school dropouts and educating parents about gangs and the supervision of their children.