NCJ Number
162926
Journal
Personnel Journal Issue: 2808 Dated: (February 1996) Pages: 1-6
Date Published
1996
Length
6 pages
Annotation
No industry or company is exempt from the newest wave of gangs which have been penetrating businesses undetected, and gang-related criminal activity can threaten a company and the workforce.
Abstract
Although crime committed by gang members accounts for a small fraction of the estimated $120 billion a year in workplace theft, gangs also impact companies through extortion and drug sales. Gang members increasingly cloak their illicit activities behind the legitimacy of the workplace. The new breed of gangs includes all races and increasingly involves women. Crimes committed by gang members are becoming more violent and brazen, for example, hijacking trucks and storming factories to obtain microchips and electronic components. Nearly any company came become a target of gangs, gang members frequently obtain information from unwitting employees, and may gangs operate along the lines of what is normally thought of as organized crime. Businesses should not underestimate the level of gang sophistication and violence. In addition, businesses should work closely with law enforcement to minimize the incidence of gang- related crimes and should carefully screen employees. Educating employees about how to spot gang activity and how to deal with it is also crucial.