NCJ Number
154584
Date Published
1995
Length
343 pages
Annotation
This volume presents 40 new and recently published articles on gangs, with emphasis on understanding their structure, their behaviors, society's response to them, and current issues related to gang prevention and control.
Abstract
The papers define gangs as a social and legal problem, review various ways of examining them, reveal the extent and nature of the current gang problem, and explain responses through gang prevention programs, law enforcement agencies, and public policy. Individual papers focus on definitional issues; the often-conflicting perceptions of local gang situations held by law enforcement, policymakers, and juvenile offenders; gang types in specific major cities; and gender differences in gang participation, juvenile delinquency; and drug use. Other paper focus on the effects of neighborhood dynamics on gang behavior, the role of gangs in increasing delinquent behavior, the relationships between gangs and drugs, gang suppression programs, and contrasting styles of policing gangs. Introductions to each article and section identify and explain central issues, crucial concepts and relationships among topics. Tables and chapter notes and reference lists