Got Gangs?

Gangs are a group of people who have mutual interests and concerns. In the situation of street gangs, many people join gangs for the sense of protection and brotherhood it creates amongst people. Other reasons people join gangs are for reputation and status as a criminal. Many gangs commit crimes together, it is the same type of co-offending that can begin amongst juvenile delinquents. Studying groups of peers and the social relationships that children build with peers allow researchers to examine criminal style and predictions of crime for specific groups of adolescents. It was proven that “co-offending (committing crimes in groups) has been long proposed as the predominant form of delinquent behavior during adolescents” (Cauffman, 2010, p. 400). People commit crimes in groups to feel a sense of accomplishment, safely and security. It is also argued through research that officials believe people who committed crimes in groups were probably peer pressured into doing it with others instead of on their own. How can you stop gang violence in your neighborhood? There are steps that communities can take to make sure that children are looked out for and delinquency is not a temptation. 

There are things that you can do to help, here are some: 

-First things first…STEP UP to the plate and take action! Someone has to get the ball rolling in your community and everyone is waiting on everyone else.

- Get Informed: Figure out what it is you need to prevent in your specific neighborhood. You have to learn about whom you are trying to stop, and then develop a plan of action to take as a group.

- Take your plan and divide up jobs/positions. Then from there you can plan night watches, security programs, afterschool activities, or neighborhood watch. 

- Keep parents updated and involved…make sure they are in corporation with each other and the police if necessary. 

- If you know your friend could be getting involved in gang violence try to talk to them about the consequences and life threatening experiences that could be associated with the gang. Keep an eye out for any specific colors your friend might be wearing and try to get involved with them in a non-harmful after school activity. 

- Always have respect for your children and only get involved if you need to.

Cauffmanm E., Dmitrieva, J., Goldweber, A., Piquero, A. R., Steinberg, L. The development of Criminal style in adolescence and young adulthood: separating the lemmings from the loners. ProQuest: Empirical Research, 40, 332-346.