NCJ Number
88927
Date Published
1983
Length
95 pages
Annotation
This report discusses the response strategies of police departments to youth gang activity in the United States based on a representative sample of 60 cities.
Abstract
The limited financial and personnel resources of many police departments often hamper police efforts to control youth gang activity. The surveyed departments primarily utilize three strategies to control gang activity: the Youth Service Program; the Gang Detail; and the Gang Unit. Few agencies, however, have attempted to develop unique and innovative intervention programs; the majority of police departments operate without written policies and procedures and with personnel who have no formal training in gang intervention techniques. This report offers recommendations on improving responses to youth gangs and gang problems, including the management of police gang control programs, determination of program effectiveness, current gang control delivery systems, and a comprehensive community gang control program. Tables illustrate successful and unsuccessful gang control strategies for 27 cities. Appendixes include more than 20 references; a list of selected readings; survey instruments; and brief descriptions of 17 gang control projects across the country.