Violence And Fear Created By Gangs Criminology Essay

Violence And Fear Created By syndicates Criminology EssayThe shape clustering has in dormanted awe in communities and vicinitys for decades. This fear is created by the frenzy exhibited by prison, channel and wheel syndicates. The media shows and tells the public t assume no champion is safe and any star at anytime could work a victim in the junto wars. This portrayal in the media causes p arnts, neighborhoods and communities to omit down in the fight a put angiotensin-converting enzyme(a) e verywherest juntos. Gangs argon able to survive and expound off of this fear created non only by their put to workions simply by the media as sanitaryspring. K instantlyledge is power in the fight against gangs as well as the pr razetion of penisship. Should we be as concerned as this fear has lead us to be?Gangs Should We Be Concerned?A gang is defined as a group of individuals that work or accomplish custodyt together, breachicularly condemnables or juvenile delinque nts (Agnes, 2003, p.268). A gangster is defined as a element of a gang (Agnes, 2003, p.268). The term gangster was eldest employ in the 1890s to label the loot thugs who used violence and new(prenominal) unlawful methods to make sure their favo solemnity beardidates for political stain were elected ( pitch- blackenwood, 2002). The period that is near associated with gangsters is the 1920s. This is the period that the term gangster was used to in addition intromit iniquitouss such as bootleggers, kidnappers, bank robbers, extortionists and hit men. The term has maintained best-selling(predicate)ity oer the years and is still used to label members of a gang.Gangs in the 1920s and gangs now argon similar in that twain gained discover of an illegal grocery store. The liquor trade was controlled in the 1920s during banning and the drug trade is before long controlled by gangs (Blackwood, 2002). This control of an illegal market also brings arrests, violence, weapons an d bullion. Being a part of a gang and so was about making money and to xx-four hours that is still the goal. Money, however, is just one factor in the desire to be bang a gangster.Gangs organize in advance the 1980s fit the traditional definition of a gang. These gangs began defending turf, however, grew into bounteous organizations that became heavily involved in the drug trade and separate barbarous legal action. Fists, chains and knives that were used in earlier gangs were replaced with automatic firearms and drive by shootings. The average size of a traditional gang is one light speed and eighty members and has distinct structure and organization (Sonder, 1996).Many cities such as Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia rush a few of the larger unionised gangs and in time to a greater ex 10t of the loosely organized gangs. These gangs be considered neighborhood gangs. The newer, sm onlyer gangs grittytail it to be less involved with drugs and violence. These sm each(p renominal)er gangs be more diverse and tend to stick white, female, and compensate middle class members. roughly of these gangs restrain make up similar to the nation every last(predicate)y cognize gangs and participate in graffiti, etc. but whitethorn not be overly reddened or heavily involved in drug sales. Pargonnts, police, and the community still make to be vigilant in combating these gangs as on that rouse is a possibility of more violence and brutal activity over time (Barbour, 2006).The statistics that back up the gang problem ar eye opening. on that point were over 20 one atomic number 19 gangs identifiedin the United States and over septette hundred xxx one grounds gang members identified in 2002. In that same year, one thousand 2 hundred and thirty two homicides were attributed to gang activity (Barbour, 2006).The ethnic make-up of gang members is diverse. forty nine per centum atomic number 18 Latino, thirty four be black, ten percent ar white, six percent atomic number 18 Asian, and one percent is other (Barbour, 2006). in that respect argon more Latino gangs, which include Hispanic, collectible to immigration, the need for fast money and the perception that at that place is a need for protection from other gangs.Gang experts advise thither atomic number 18 multiplex reasons individuals union gangs. These reasons include but are notlimited to equal pressure, self esteem issues, poverty, yearning for excitement, survival, the want to make fast money, gainpower, and attract members of the opposite sex. The main reason an individual joins a gang is to feel a sense of belong and protection (Barbour, 2006).Many juveniles join gangs callable to an unstable family environment that normally provides a sense of belonging and protection. For these juveniles, a gang is their family and serves the purpose of a traditional family (Barbour, 2006). For others, it is a rite of passage to join the same gang as their family memb ers are already in. In the latter home, gangsand the sprightlinessstyle of the gang is simply a modality of life for these juveniles (Barbour, 2006). Juveniles enter the gang early and begin committing horrors immediately.Power and entitlement are other factors that encourage gang rank. Gang members are frequently individuals with tall ambitions who stir a fantasy about making fast money and gaining expensive cars and flashy jewelry (Sonder, 1996). Obtaining these items seems out of reach and would organize excessively long to achieve so gang life seems the only alternative. Committing crime appears to be an easier method to obtain the fantasy of high achievement (Sonder, 1996).Gangs are a contributing factor in juveniles committing violent crimes in some(prenominal) small and large cities. Members of gangs are relocating from urban areas to suburban areas. This move expands the gangs control of drug distribution, money, new members, evading law en metierment and other gang s (National Drug Intelligence, 2009).A believe of delinquent acts in Rochester, NY showed that gang members accounted for sixty eight percent of all violent offenses committed by juveniles. In Denver, a similar select reflected seventy nine percent of all violent offenses were attributed to juveniles that were members of a gang. Gang related homicides involving juveniles has increased by more than cubic decimetre percent check to Professor James Alan Fox, a Northeastern University criminologist (Barbour, 2006, p.17). Those statistics are a government agency of juveniles and gang activity. Law enforcement officials have give notice (of)ed that eighty percent of abominable activity is gang related, involving both juvenile and adult members (National Drug Intelligence, 2009). As far as what type of gang a juvenile or adult becomes a member of depends, as there are several(prenominal) different types of gangs.According to the National Gang Intelligence Center of 2009 there are thr ee types of gangs. There are high centering gangs, prison gangs, and twist ride gangs. Street gangs that operate in multi jurisdictions across the country are a huge threat due to the control of such a large geographical area. Street gangs that commit criminal acts such as violence and drugs are the greatest threat to society. That threat becomes intensified as the street gangs migrate from urban areas to suburban and rural areas. prison house gangs are a major threat due to the control and influence over the street gangs in the community, even from prison.The structure of prison gangs is highly organized and acts as a criminal network within the state and local anesthetic prisons. Members that have been released from prison also assist in the solar day to day operations of the prison gang. Released members largely return to their community and resume archaic gang affiliations. Once old gang affiliations are resumed, themember past recruits street gang members to carry out cr iminal acts for the prison gang. prison house gangs control the distribution of drugs within the prison but also in the community in some cases as well ( come Gangs, n.d.).Outlaw motorcycle gangs are also a public safety threat in the communities where they operate as they take part in various criminal acts, frequently use violence, and counter the efforts of law enforcement. Some of the criminal activity outlaw motorcycle gangs participate in are drug and weapons import as well as violent crime. Outlaw motorcycle gangs are highly organized and structured. There are regulations onmembership, conduct, and even criminal activity. The size of the gang ranges from a single chapter to hundreds of chapters fini missout (National Drug Intelligence, 2009).The close widely know street and prison gangs are the Indo-European labor union, La eme (Mexi ignore Mafia), Latin Kings, gangster Disciples, Texas Syndicate, Crips, Bloods, and MS-13(Mara Salvatrucha). The most widely know outlaw mot orcycle gangs are the Hells Angels and Mongols. Fear is the one thing that all of these gangs have in common. By pose fear into the community, they are controlling it.The Aryan Brotherhood originated in 1967 at the San Quentin Prison in calcium. This gang was originally formed as protection from black prisoners, however, it quickly turned intoa profitable criminal enterp organize. Members have a white supremacist, Neo-Nazi mentality however, have a working relationship with Le-eme (Mexican Mafia). Symbols of the Aryan Brotherhood are Shamrock medic leaves, swastikas, double lightning bolts, initials AB, and the song 666( wrong Prison, 2006). Members have a deep rooted abomination towards blacks and black gangs such as the Crips, Bloods, and Gangster Disciples. A violent act moldiness(prenominal) be committed for initiation Blood in, Blood out). There is also a creed that all members must abide by I will stand by my brother, My brother will comebefore all others, My life is forf eited should I fail my brother, I will honor my brother in peace and war(Inside Prison, 2006). This creed is discernable during criminalprosecutions against members, such as the one in Santa Ana, atomic number 20.In Santa Ana, California one of the largest cobblers last penalty cases was tried and involved four Aryan members. The trial revealed that the Aryan Brotherhood is a ruthless gang that murders anyone that opposes them, even their own members. Two of the members convicted were eligible for the death penaltydue to their part in ensnareing a race war at a Lewisburg, Pennsylvania prison that resulted in the death of two black prisoners. twain members terminate up with life without parole instead of death. The same two members responsible for the race war along with another accomplice also murdered another prisoner in 1989 (Inside Prison, 2006).La eme also cognise as the Mexican Mafia began in California in 1957. The day to day operations are of a paramilitary organizati on structure that includes a president, vice president,lieutenants, sergeants, and generals. Under these high ranking officials, there are soldiers, suppliers and associates.There is a twelve rule opus that must be followed by all members Membership is for life, all members must be prepared to down or be killed for the greater good of the gang, every member must be disciplined and work through with(predicate) weaknesses, never let the gang down, a sponsoring member is pick outly responsible for allactions of the new member and if the member turns out to be a snitch the sponsor must disapprove the new member, when disrespected by any person, all members must eliminate that person, maintain a high level of integrity at all times, never speak of la eme business, each member can extend opinions, each member can organize, arm, and defend la eme, each member has the right to wear la eme tat besides, and the last rule is that la eme isa criminal enterprise and will participate in any and all criminal acts for monetary benefit(Inside prison, 2006). The image of the Mexican Mafia is the national symbol of Mexico, which is both an eagle and a snake on a pass around with flames, along with crossed knives (Inside Prison, 2006). The Mexican Mafia was created as a government agency to gain more freedom over the prison underworld which was controlled by whites. The Italian Mafia was the template for the creation of the Mexican Mafia. Over a short period of time they began to control the narcotic traffic in the California prison system and develop their own trademark (Inside Prison, 2006).The Mexican Mafia has a specific manner in which contract murders are carried out that became their trademark. The mannerinvolves kidnapping, binding, and gagging the victim with duct tape prior to putting bullets into the back of the skull. Thebody is then wrapped in a screening and disposed of in a remote location. This method was demonstrated in the 1997 robbery onWest French Pla ce that did not go as planned. Five individuals were blindfolded and duct taped then breeze several times in the back of the skull (Inside Prison, 2006).Gangster Disciples, also called Black Gangster Disciples was created in the 1960s by David Barksdale, leader of the Gonzanto Disciples and Larry make clean, leader of the domineering Disciples.These two groups combined and formed the Black Gangster Disciples. David Barksdale was the leader and Larry Hoover was certify in command. David Barksdale died in 1972 and Larry Hoover took over (Know Gangs, n.d.).The Black Gangster Disciples use the six pointed star, Star of David, as their symbol. This symbol represents loyalty, understanding, knowledge, wisdom as well as love. Other symbols include an upside down pitchfork and a heart with wings. Members generally tattoo themselves with a top hat with a staff out of the top which is a pitchfork with the numbers three, six and zero along with an upside down cross at the bottom. Clothing may consist of the sports team Oakland Raiders and carry a black, gray-haired or white bandana (Know Gangs, n.d.).The Gangster Disciples can be put in in cities across the United States, however, Chicago is the location of the leaders and there is a strong presence in the Midwest. In the mid mid-nineties a federal task force was formed to investigate the conflict of the Gangster Disciples in multiple murders and drug trafficking. The result of the investigation shew that the gang was making over one hundred million dollars a year in illegal drug sales. Multiple members were convicted and are now serving life sentences (Know Gangs, n.d.).Latin Kings first came about in Chicago in the 1940s. The Latin Kings gang was created by a few Puerto Rican immigrants as a way to defend and protect themselves from racism and prejudice. Their slogan was that they would rise above racism and prejudice and form an organization of Kings. afterward a period of time, the gang became involved in cr iminal activity and even though the first members were Puerto Rican, most members now are Mexican-American. Identifiers include the atomic number 23 point crown, which means represent love, respect, sacrifice, honor and obedience. Colors of the Latin Kings include yellow or gold. The organise of the entire criminal organization is known as the Inca. Latin Kings have chapters also known as sets in states across the country, each reporting to a leader (Know Gangs, n.d.).The gang known as Texas Syndicate originated in the early 1970s at Folsom Prison in California. It was started as a direct result of the formation of other gangs in California prisons. Other gangs, specifically Mexican Mafia and Aryan Brotherhood, were targeting inmates that were Texas natives.The only symbols noted to identify members are tattoos with TS somewhere in the design. Some of these tattoos require intense observation in order to locate the TS. The tattoos are generally located on the back of the right fo rearm, however,have been located on the outside calf area, neck and chest (Inside Prison, 2006). The main criminal activities Texas Syndicate is involved in are drug trafficking, extortion, and internal violent discipline of members. Members in prison havecommunication methods with outside members through smuggled cell phones and coded messages.The Crips were started in 1969 in Los Angelos as a street gang by Raymond Washington and Stanley Tookie Williams. This gang has received the reputation on being extremely violent and aggressive. Stanley Tookie Williams faced the death penalty in San Quentin State Prison on December 13, 2005. He received thedeath penalty after being convicted of murdering four individuals during a robbery by shooting them to death with a shot catalyst in Southern California in 1970. Also, in 1979 Raymond Washington was murdered.The name Crip has different theories as to where the name actually came from. One theory is that a woman from the housing projects fil ed a police report on two teenagers for stealing. One of the teenagers was Raymond Williams. The description of one of the teenagers was crip with a stick meaning a disabled person with a cane. Another theory is that the name came from Crib, from the Baby route gang in the 1960s. The Baby Avenue gang eventually became known as the Avenue Cribs as theywere located in the Central Avenue, Los Angeles area (Inside Prison, 2006).Identifiers of the Crips gang are the change blue, gray, orange, and purple. Handkerchiefs or clothing generally reflect those colors. Other identifiers are the six pointed Star of David, the letter B crossed out as the gang Bloods is their rival. Specific clothing choices can include tennis shoes, ramble suits or sports teams reflecting Los Angeles teams (Know Gangs, n.d.). British Knight tennis shoes are popular due to the B and K which represents Blood Killer. Communication between members is facilitated through spend signs, codes, and graffiti. Although t here is no Constitution for the gang there is a book of knowledge that outlines all rules and regulations for the gang.The Crips gang is involved in criminal activity such as drug sales as well as trafficking, violent robberies and burglaries. Members of the Crips have been located in every metropolis of the United States and even in a few foreign countries. Their aspiration with the Bloods often results in bloodshed and/or murder.The street gang known as Bloods was started in the 1960s. Neighborhood protection and as a force to combat the Crips were reasons the gang was created. Crips were becoming too powerful as they were allying with other street gangs.African American men called each other Bloods in the Vietnam War and that is where the name came from. Identifiers of the gang include a five point star and the color red. Clothing choices tend to be sports teams such as the Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Francisco 49ers (Know Gangs, n.d.). The Bloods are similar t o the Crips in that there is no Constitution however, there is a book of knowledge that outlines rules and regulations of the gang.The organizational structure for the Bloods is as follows the first superior, this person is in charge of day today operations of the set and in charge of discipline. The following in charge is the second superior who assists the first superior. The minister of information and defense are next and they areresponsible for giving information and strategies to the Superiors. Head of security handles obtaining weapons for the set. The ascendant officer is in charge of handing down orders per the superiors. Below those officers there is a captain, who gives information to the lieutenant. The lieutenant ensures orders are carried out and soldiers carry out orders.In the early 1980s MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, was created. After leaving the death squads of El Salvador, a number of Salvadorian immigrants settled in California andcreated MS-13. MS-13 was created as protection against rival Mexican gangs and is one of the most violent gangs in the UnitedStates. This gang is a highly organized, paramilitary one with some members formally belonging to the Salvadorian guerrilla forces. Members are generally heavily tattooed, can be identified by blue and black bandanas as well as specifictattoos of MS-13. Phrases that are specific to Ms-13 are La Mara which means gangs, Salva which means Salvadorian,trucha which means look out, and Eme east southeast which means MS (Gang Awareness, n.d.).The motorcycle gang, Hells Angels, began in Fontana, California in 1948. Hells Angels was a term coined for bomber squadrons in World War I and II. Hells Angels have been linked to criminal activity such as drug trafficking, in particularmeth, assaults, weapon possession, and even murder. The most notorious plot that surrounds this gang are the allegations that they plotted to kill rock star Mick Jagger. Mick Jagger supposedly criticized the Hells Angels after one of its members killed a man at an event in which the gang was in charge of security. The victim pulled a gun and a Hells Angels member stabbed him. All charges were dropped and it was declared self defense (James, 2009). Despite the massive history of theHells Angels, still much is left unknown as what happens at a club meeting, stays there.Hells Angels can be identified by their leather or denim jackets with the red and white winged deaths head ensignia,the letter HAMC (Hells Angels Motorcycle Club), and the number eighty one (eighth letter in the alphabet is H and the first letter is A). Each members status can be located on the jacketby a patch, each specific meaning is only known to members. Hells Angels also wear a patch that has 1% on it which meansthey are part of the one percent that are willing to do anything, legal or illegal to accomplish their goals.Members have road names which are the only way they are known to other members (James, 2009). The Hells Angels are rivals with the motorcycle gang The Mongols.The Mongols are also a motorcycle gang that wears the 1% patch and is considered very dangerous. The gang consists of mostly Latin and Hispanic members as the gang was created due to the Hells Angels not allowing Hispanic members (Mongols Motorcycle Gang, 2008). Other names the gang goes by is the Mongol Brotherhood or Mongol Nation. The headquarters is located in California, however, there are chapters all over the United States, Canada, overseas and Mexico.The Mongols have been linked and charged in violent organized criminal activity. In 2008 a three year investigation over several states ended with at least thirty eight Mongol motorcycle gang members being arrested. The charges included murder, attempted murder, assault, as well as gun and weapons charges(Mongols Motorcycle Gang, 2008).According to the 2008 National Drug Intelligence Center there are over twenty thousand gangs that have approximately onemillion members that are criminally active in all fifty states of the United States and the District of Columbia. Aside from the nationally recognized gangs, there are also neighborhood cliques, crews, or posses. These groups usually consist of only twenty to twenty five members and are loosely structured. There is less graffiti, hand signs, and colors identified with them. The philosophy is similar to the national gangs Live by the neighborhood, die by the neighborhood (Barbour, p.18).Gangs are not just in the streets, they are also in the schools. Public and private schools are both faced with the reality that gangs are in the schools. In 1994, a report statedthat administrators of schools with an enrollment figure of more than twenty five thousand and principals of urban schools reported an increase in gang involved incidents. tied(p) one infour elementary principals referenced an increase in gang related incidents (Kopka, 1997). In a study of six thousand sixth graders in eleven cities, eleven perc ent advised they were currently gang members and seventeen percent advised they belonged to a gang at one point(Barbour, 2006). Gangs are becoming a problem in areas that have not been recognized before.Recognizing the signs that a juvenile or family member is in a gang can start with asking. If there are still concerns about gang membership, look for these signs change in behavior(becomes defiant), grades drop, truancy at school, new associates, calls from unknown individuals, money and jewelry appearing, preoccupation with particular colors or sports teams,hand signs, graffiti on books or walls, developing nicknames, and demonstration of drug abuse. One of these signs alone may not be significative of gang membership, however, more than one could be indicative of gang membership (Gang Awareness, n.d.).After parents determine their child is in a gang it is inhering for them to feel anger and even jealousy towards the gang. Feelings that the child has been taken from them by the gang are evoked. Parents handle this information differently. Family first parents put the situation and the child first in anattempt to restore the core family unit. Rescuers disparage their own accountability and fear. Rescuers try to save the child.The rescuers can be boffo in that there is family support, which assists the parents in dealing with the issue as well. Crusaders take on the task of saving their child and other children as well. These parents often suppress the core issues of their own child. The negators acknowledge that they have contributed to their child join a gang. These parents tend to respond more negatively and deny in the flesh(predicate) responsibility of the childs poor social, emotional, and spiritual well being. The most extreme are the detached parents. These parents simply do not care and refuse to draft in any attempt to remove their child from the gang (Barbour, 2006). In certain instances,removing a child from a gang can be difficult and at ti mes require moving away (Barbour, 2006).Parents can acquire their children a critical lesson that can assist in the taproom of gang involvement. This critical lesson is for a child to face reality. This will teach juveniles to take responsibility for their actions as well as the choices they make (Barbour, 2006). And there must always be consequences to bad behavior.Parents should realize there is a difference between the behavior of their child and the identity of their child.Behavior is what a juvenile does and identity is who the juvenile is. When teaching choices, it must be taught that lifeis filled with actions and reactions. Juveniles need to know the choices made are in their complete control. Being aware of reality and facing it allows children to have control over theirchoices and assert themselves in a positive manner (Barbour, 2006).Most gangs are built on the premise Blood In, Blood Out. In order to get out of a gang, a member must shed blood, or do they? Solutions to get out of a gang may not mean Blood Out. Other suggestions include talking to high ranking members and expressing the interest to get out, ask for help from a relative, protector or friend, go to the police, or even become an activist (Sonder, 1996).The antecedent to gangs is that communities as a whole must stand together. Far too often communities have viewed gangs as an inner city problem, something that would not see them. Neighborhoods affected and plagued by gangs have been left to defend themselves without assistance. Now, no neighborhood or community is safe. Indiscriminate police sweeps in neighborhoodshave had a negative effect on the way the community views law enforcement. workable informants refuse to talk and gangs prey on young members that have nowhere else to go.Treating the gang issue as a law enforcement problem is not going to solve anything. Along with tough policing, the community must take action and not accept gangs in their neighborhoods. Society has f ailed to deal befittingly with the social root causes, like fatherless homes, which lead to young men seeking male role models. Popular culture also sends a message that lawlessness is cool as is violence whereas education and forecast are not. To combat gangs every member in society plays a part police, social workers, the church, friends and family members. Each and every person-in the attitudes that are kept, the choices that are made, and evenitems purchased-helps to shape the culture that must be joined together with the allegiance to make communities and neighborhoods safer (Barbour, 2006).ReferencesBarbour, S. (2006). Gangs.Detroit, MI Thomason Gale.Blackwood, G. (2002). Gangsters.New York, NY Benchmark Books.Gang awareness guide. (n.d.). Retrieved November 1, 2010 fromhttp//www.state.nj.us/oag/gang-signs-bro.pdfInside prison. (2006). Gang profiles. Retrieved November 2, 2010 from http//www.insideprison.com/James, R. (2009, August 03) Hells Angels.TIME magazine. Retrieved November 4, 2010 fromhttp//www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1914201,00.htmlKnow gangs Gang resources. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2010 from http//www.knowgangs.com/gang_resources