NCJ Number
166546
Journal
Compiler Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1996) Pages: 4-16
Editor(s)
D Dighton
Date Published
1996
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Articles in this issue focus on trends in gang violence in Illinois, particularly the Chicago area, and various means being used to respond to it.
Abstract
In the first article, statistical analysis is used to show that gang violence has rapidly increased in Chicago since the early 1990's, and it involves younger gang members and an increasing use of firearms. One effort to counter this trend is the use of the Early Warning System for Street Gang Violence, which is designed to help identify hot spots of gang activity and provide information that will assist with community, problem- oriented policing. Another article describes the Gang Violence Reduction Project, which works with hard-core gang members in Little Village (Chicago) in an effort to reduce the level of gang violence in the area. The program helps gang members gain access to social opportunities such as school, remedial education, job training, and jobs. It also attempts to connect gang members with community social services such as crisis intervention and personal and family counseling. Another article profiles the lives and work of two community street workers in the project; they grew up in Little Village and returned to help gang members lead nonviolent, constructive lives. An article describes the specialized gang prosecutions unit formed by the Cook County State's Attorney. Through long-term investigations coordinated with various local, State, and Federal agencies, the unit plans to show upper echelon gang leaders that they are not untouchable. Another article reviews efforts at the State level, where legislation drafted by the State Gang Commission establishes a witness protection program and imposes harsher penalties for gang leaders convicted of drug dealing. It also establishes mandatory reporting of any firearm-related incidents at public schools. The concluding article profiles an after-school tutoring and mentoring program that provides constructive social and recreational activities for youth in addition to academic pursuits. For individual articles, see NCJ-166547-49.