NCJ Number
166011
Date Published
1992
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Street gangs from outside Illinois are trying to gain control over certain Chicago neighborhoods, and four major types of gang and drug pipelines operate into and out of the Chicago area, reports Clark Staten, the Executive Director of the Chicago-based Emergency Response and Research Institute.
Abstract
One of the major pipelines leads to New York City and involves Jamaican gangs. A second and burgeoning pipeline leads to Los Angeles and the Crips gang. Members of the Crips are reported to have formed a temporary alliance with members of at least two factions of the Westside Chicago Vice Lords gang. The alliance is said to have involved the outright distribution of large quantities of drugs and the trading of guns for drugs. Members of the Crips have also been linked with selling drugs and guns in the vicinity of the Chicago Housing Authority's Robert Taylor Homes. The third drug pipeline leads to Mexico and several points south of Mexico. The largest Hispanic gang in the city is the Latin Kings. the fourth connection pipeline involves Asian-Americans, particularly those of Chinese extraction. The Asian drug couriers are involved with heroin and other addicting opiates. Staten recommends that the police receive additional resources to address the increasing problem of gangs and drugs.