NCJ Number
190584
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 25 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2001 Pages: 46-51
Date Published
June 2001
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article examines ways to help young people leave gangs.
Abstract
A recent report by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention concluded that the youth gang problem "continues to be widespread and substantial across the United States," and (in 1999) gang members numbered more than 840,500. The article, based on interviews with gang members, pointed out the importance of listening to young gang members. This is especially true for law enforcement, as the cop on the street is the first person to encounter these young people. It is the cop who must understand who they are, where they have come from, and where they are going. Children join gangs for various combinations of social, political, family, educational, and community reasons. Some youngsters who want to leave a gang incur threats of violence against themselves and their families, and stay gang members out of fear and intimidation. The article emphasized the importance of helping current gang members safely get out of gangs. It proposed as an effective way to resolve the problem cooperation among law enforcement; parents; schools; religious, social, and community organizations; youth; businesses; and local government.