All grown up but still banging: What issues can we expect if they don't "age out?”

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Outline• Issues with juvenile gang members• Challenges when they stay as adults• Challenges with advanced, adult gangs• Recommended community responses

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Defining gangs• Street gangs mentioned by Chaucer (1390) and

Shakespeare (1602)– little known of the members

• Generally accepted criteria for identifying groups as gangs: – Three or more members. – Members share group identity and other symbols. – Members view themselves as a gang, and they are

recognized by others as a gang. – Permanence and organization. – Criminal activity.

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Issues with youth gang members

• 1.4 million of gang members in 2011 (NGIC)• Culture, lifestyle, survival• Crime and disrespect for authority

encouraged• Violence often the solution

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Gangs Form Because?• Individual needs–physiological, safety, belongingness,

esteem

• Individual responses–To pressure/Strain

• Community needs–Security/Economy

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Gangs are accepted• Not unlike traditional business organization– Fill a void– Serve community– Depended upon

• Engage in legitimate business activity.– Startup funding from ill-gotten gains– Legitimate business to launder money– Gang businesses serve community

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Adult v. Juvenile gang members

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 Table 1: Identified Gang Members By Age Gang Range of Ages 1996 Average Age 1996 Range of Ages 2006 Average Age 2006

Crips – LA Based 12-31 20.47 15-41 28.09

Bloods – LA Based 14-26 19.69 17-38 26.03

Folk – Chicago Based 12-33 18.51 15-38 24.59

People – Chicago Based 17-24 19.58 19-46 27.63

Hispanic – Independent 14-25 18.59 16-36 21.51

Asian – Independent 15-27 20.59 16-37 25.34

Local 15-30 21.46 17-43 32.47

White Supremacist 17-22 19.50 20-47 31.15

Totals 13-33 20.03 15-41 26.59Adapted from “Examining the Demographics of Street Gangs in Wichita, Kansas,” by Greg W. Etter and Warren G. Swymeler, 2008, Journal of Gang Research, 16(1), page 6.

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 Table 2: Gang Member Demographics By Age

Age % Albuquerque

(5,647 in 1999)

Las Vegas

(6,232 in 1998)

Phoenix

(7,115 in 2000)

17 and under  10.5 11.0 15.8

18 and over 88.6 79.0 84.2

Unknown 0.9 Unavailable None

Adapted from “Policing Gangs in America,” by Charles M. Katz and Vincent J. Webb, 2006, New York: 

Cambridge University Press, pages 98-114.

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 Table 3: Summary of Findings By Age

Location Adult % Juvenile %

Arizona (Phoenix) (2000) 84.2 15.8

Florida (2007) 56.5 38.4

Nevada (Las Vegas) (1998) 79.0 11.0

New Jersey (2004) 53.0 47.0

New Mexico (Albuquerque) (1999) 88.6 10.5

United States (2006) 63.5 36.5

Average 70.8 26.53 Adapted from “2007 Statewide gang survey results,” by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; “Policing Gangs in America,” by Charles M. Katz and Vincent J. Webb, 2006, New York: Cambridge University Press, pages 98-114; National youth gang survey analysis, by the National Youth Gang Center, 2009, and Gangs in New Jersey: Municipal law enforcement response to the 2007 NJSP gang survey. New Jersey State Police.

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Many ex-gang members• quit without retribution (maturational reform)

• leave for– Job– Child/family– Aging

• motivated by experiencing violence • move away (geographic relocation)

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Challenges when they stay

• Increased # seasoned gang members• limited future legit opportunities • detrimental to adult transition

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More challenges?• Older gang members more prevalent in

cities with established gang presence. • Older age of gang members not due to

delay in joining–maintaining allegiance after adulthood.

• Older members often mentors

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Challenges with advanced, Challenges with advanced, adult gang membersadult gang members

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Third Generation Street Gangs

• Some gangs evolve/transition through three generations–Turf gangs–Market-oriented drug gangs–Mix of political and mercenary elements

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Three factors determine evolutionary potential

• Politicization• Internationalization• Sophistication

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Evolutionary Potential

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First Generation Gangs• Traditional street gangs - turf orientation • Lower end of extreme societal violence• Loose leadership • Focus on turf protection and gang loyalty• Criminal activity - opportunistic and local• Limited political scope and sophistication

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Second Generation Gangs• Entrepreneurial and drug-centered• Protect markets - use violence to

control competition• Broader market, sometimes overtly

political• Broader spatial or geographic area• Sometimes multi-state and international

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Third Generation Gangs• Evolved political aims• Operate or aspire to operate globally • Garner power, aid financial

acquisition, mercenary-type activities• Most primarily mercenary • Some seek to further political and

social objectives

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How bad can it get?How bad can it get?

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How bad can it get?• If enough corruption exists–The organized crime group controls

the government

• You can have a failed state.–Responsibilities not same as control–Organized crime group focused on

making money, not helping citizens

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•New York –union officials and two former police officers arrested for decades of violent offences with criminal groups.

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• Chicago (and other U.S. cities )–Gangster Disciples followed Mafia

involvement in community activities and politics. –When criminal groups engage in

activities benefiting the community they are seen as less threatening.

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• Europe, Middle East, and U.S. –Terrorist groups (IRA, Hamas,

Hezbollah) promoting transformation from crimes against community to helping with community service and involvement in politics (like Gangster Disciples).

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How does it get fixed?How does it get fixed?

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How does it get fixed?• Frequently takes exposure in a crisis• Often requires external involvement• Some degree of coercion & force• Doesn’t happen instantly• May drive problem underground

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Recommended responses• Get involved – whether asked to or not• Act the way you feel regarding gang activity in

the community• If you are passionate about something, don’t

hide it.• Find your voice and inspire others to do the

same.• Find a way to make it all work.• Let us (TNGIA) know if we can help!

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All grown up but still banging: What issues can we expect if they don't "age out?”

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