1) As gang members age, they gain more experience with crime and violence. This can make older gangs more sophisticated and dangerous than youth gangs.
2) Studies show the average age of gang members has increased over time, with over 70% of gang members now adults. As juveniles stay in gangs into adulthood, it increases the number of experienced criminals.
3) Advanced adult gangs may take on new criminal objectives beyond local turf wars. Some evolve into transnational criminal organizations comparable to organized crime groups. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated community response.
Abstract: With the growing presence of criminal street gang members in the United States, communities everywhere are experiencing the damaging impact of their criminal behavior. A 2011 report by the National Gang Intelligence Center reported the number of gang members in the United States was conservatively estimated at 1.4 million. As these gang members evolve, are they using our nation’s colleges and universities to educate themselves? How will that affect our communities? This paper reports results of a survey of college students and campus police regarding their perception of the presence of gang members on their campus. Less than one in four students agreed there was a gang problem in the community around their campus, while two of three of the police respondents agreed with the statement. Students and police agreed in similar percentages that there was a gang problem within the campus community. At least half of both students and police thought gang members were responsible for less than 10% of crime on campus. About two of three students and police reported less than 10% of the students were active gang members. The Bloods, Crips, and Gangster Disciples were the top three gangs in the campus community for both groups. Drugs crimes, Assaults, assorted Weapons crimes, Robberies and Sexual Assaults were reported as gang-related crimes.
Keywords: gang activity in college, street gangs in university, percent of students having gang association, gangs in college, gangs in universities, college gangs.
Mark Nichols, keynote speaker at Mahara Hui in Wellington on 19 March 2014.
Recording is available at http://youtu.be/07rCtsCLb4Q
https://maharahui.org.nz/course/view.php?id=2
Abstract: With the growing presence of criminal street gang members in the United States, communities everywhere are experiencing the damaging impact of their criminal behavior. A 2011 report by the National Gang Intelligence Center reported the number of gang members in the United States was conservatively estimated at 1.4 million. As these gang members evolve, are they using our nation’s colleges and universities to educate themselves? How will that affect our communities? This paper reports results of a survey of college students and campus police regarding their perception of the presence of gang members on their campus. Less than one in four students agreed there was a gang problem in the community around their campus, while two of three of the police respondents agreed with the statement. Students and police agreed in similar percentages that there was a gang problem within the campus community. At least half of both students and police thought gang members were responsible for less than 10% of crime on campus. About two of three students and police reported less than 10% of the students were active gang members. The Bloods, Crips, and Gangster Disciples were the top three gangs in the campus community for both groups. Drugs crimes, Assaults, assorted Weapons crimes, Robberies and Sexual Assaults were reported as gang-related crimes.
Keywords: gang activity in college, street gangs in university, percent of students having gang association, gangs in college, gangs in universities, college gangs.
Mark Nichols, keynote speaker at Mahara Hui in Wellington on 19 March 2014.
Recording is available at http://youtu.be/07rCtsCLb4Q
https://maharahui.org.nz/course/view.php?id=2
The Hounds were a group of gang members in New York who joined the military to fight in the Mexican-American War, and ended up in Yerbe Buena (San Francisco) as Domestic Terrorists. Check these guys out with this short presentation.
Communities everywhere have experienced the negative effects of street gangs, domestic terrorists, and outlaw motorcycle gangs. The presence of these criminals increases the threat of violence to the community. When they have military training, the threat increases significantly. The problem addressed in this study was the growing presence of military-trained gang members in civilian communities. The purpose of the study was to determine the perceived presence of military-trained gang members in jails and community corrections and to examine whether there was a relationship between the perceptions of sheriff’s deputies regarding that presence and a number of variables.
The presence of military-trained gang members (MTGMs) in the community increases the threat of violence to citizens. The problem addressed was the growing presence of military-trained gang members in civilian communities in Tennessee. We examined the perceived presence of military-trained gang members of gang investigators at the annual conference and whether there had been changes since the previous survey. Many respondents reported gang members in their jurisdictions were increasingly using military-type weapons or explosives (51%), as well as military-type equipment like body armor, night-vision devices, etc. (30%). Although few (24%) agreed that gang members were using military-type tactics, a majority (over 90%) reported gang members committed home invasions and armed robberies. Many (46%) reported that there were gang members in their jurisdiction currently serving in the military, while 64% reported they had gang members who had served. Most of the respondents (66%) did not believe that military representatives advised their department when gang members were discharged from the military. More of the 2014 respondents than those in 2010 reported gang member use of military weapons, explosives, and equipment. More also reported gang members committed home invasions and armed robberies, and gang members currently in the military in their jurisdictions. Fewer thought their organization had a working relationship with military investigative authorities.
Insight intended to get students to think about what we teach what we teach at the University. The need to shift from High School, peer-infected decision making to stand-out-in-a-crowd, competitive workforce is the intended focus.
Communities everywhere have experienced the negative effects of street gangs. The presence of military-trained gang members (MTGMs) in the community increases the threat of violence to citizens. The problem addressed was the apparently growing presence of military-trained gang members in civilian communities in two southern states. The purpose was to determine the perceived presence of military-trained gang members and examine whether there was a relationship between the perceptions of gang investigators regarding the presence and the size of their jurisdictions, the proximity of their jurisdictions to a military installation, and the extent to which investigators participate in anti-gang activities. The Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve were identified as the largest sources of MTGMs and the Bloods, Crips, and Gangster Disciples were the gangs most represented. Military leaders should acknowledge the increase in gang-related crime and address the problems caused for both military and civilian communities without attempting to quantify the threat level. Military leadership should continuously examine activities of all suspected gang members for active gang affiliation for retention purposes while evaluating any gang affiliation for security clearances. Military Law Enforcement liaison for recruiters should develop effective communication with law enforcement agencies to assist with information sharing.
Technology advances have changed the way the average American communicates, plans his or her day, shops, drives, and does many other things. Technology has changed the way criminals, specifically gang members, live their lives as well. As gangs evolve, many adopt more of a business model. How does that affect the way law enforcement should investigate them?
You will get an overview of criminal communications options, actions, and interactions followed by a discussion of how law enforcement – mostly gang cops – can and do respond. Ideas on how to engage, assist, or even thwart the detection of such activity will be provided. The use of metaphors to explain how technology functions often helps the not-so-literate grasp the concepts we will discuss – an impromptu brainstorming session on how that works will likely occur.
An initial look at an alternative to internships that seeks to provide experience producing reports, networking opportunities, and exposure to the professions studied. This initiative was launched in response to new information regarding DHS employee education preparation, an increased interest in teaching to increase critical and creative thinking, and a limit on available internships. Students engage in individually-graded group assignments, submit and resubmit reviewed work, and selected reports and summaries are identified as able to be submitted to official agencies and organizations.
The identification process for Domestic Extremists requires considering many indicators. Recently released research indicates examining the mix of behavioral indicators such as personal connections, ideology, travel, and training may prove beneficial in determining the existence of an individual’s extremist views. The presentation suggests using these indicators not as a checklist but as a type of scale to help analysts determine priorities for research and investigation as resources become available.
A tool to remind audience members that loud cell phones are annoying, disrespectful, and rude . . .
This one has a twist at the end - designed to ask for silence but allow for input via text-messaging like with polleverywhere.com
Gabbidon examined perceptions of criminal justice students in a security administration class, asking reasons for taking the course, knowledge regarding the security field, their career objective, and whether they considered working in the security field. He later asked whether their interest in working in the security field had decreased, increased, or remained the same, whether their respect for the field decreased, increased, or remained the same, and how they would rate the course in comparison to other criminal justice courses they had taken. This research was replicated to determine differences in perceptions of security administration by current criminal justice students.
Keywords: private security, security administration, homeland security education, criminal justice courses, teaching security
This research study was designed to describe characteristics and perceptions of members of two Gang Investigators' Associations and to examine whether a relationship existed between the perceptions of gang investigators regarding the presence of MTGMs in their jurisdictions and the size of the gang investigators’ jurisdiction (i.e., county size, number of officers employed), the extent to which the gang investigators participate in anti-gang activities, the proximity of the gang investigators’ jurisdiction to a military installation (from survey and computed), time spent in anti-gang activities, age of investigator, and military installation size. The Military Gang Perception Questionnaire (MGPQ) (Smith, 2010), was used to address the goals of the study. A few of the questions paralleled a prior survey by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) (2007). The data and results of this study will be published and discussed elsewhere for academic and training purposes without openly identifying the source of information per an agreement between the author and the association board of directors.
Presentation for 2011 Southern Criminal Justice Association Meeting, Nashville, TN
Distinguishing Gangs, OrganizedCrime, and TerrorismCarter F. Smith & Jeffrey P. Rush,Austin Peay State University
Presentation for 2011 Southern Criminal Justice Association Meeting, Nashville, TN
Flash Gang: a social media connection such as Twitter is used to invite participants to a time and location, they do something like robbery or assault, and they split up. George Knox, NGCRC, June 15, 2011
Presentation for 2011 Southern Criminal Justice Association Meeting, Nashville, TN
An overview of ongoing research including preliminary results form 2009-2011 survey of college students and police regarding the presence of gangs on college campuses.
The Hounds were a group of gang members in New York who joined the military to fight in the Mexican-American War, and ended up in Yerbe Buena (San Francisco) as Domestic Terrorists. Check these guys out with this short presentation.
Communities everywhere have experienced the negative effects of street gangs, domestic terrorists, and outlaw motorcycle gangs. The presence of these criminals increases the threat of violence to the community. When they have military training, the threat increases significantly. The problem addressed in this study was the growing presence of military-trained gang members in civilian communities. The purpose of the study was to determine the perceived presence of military-trained gang members in jails and community corrections and to examine whether there was a relationship between the perceptions of sheriff’s deputies regarding that presence and a number of variables.
The presence of military-trained gang members (MTGMs) in the community increases the threat of violence to citizens. The problem addressed was the growing presence of military-trained gang members in civilian communities in Tennessee. We examined the perceived presence of military-trained gang members of gang investigators at the annual conference and whether there had been changes since the previous survey. Many respondents reported gang members in their jurisdictions were increasingly using military-type weapons or explosives (51%), as well as military-type equipment like body armor, night-vision devices, etc. (30%). Although few (24%) agreed that gang members were using military-type tactics, a majority (over 90%) reported gang members committed home invasions and armed robberies. Many (46%) reported that there were gang members in their jurisdiction currently serving in the military, while 64% reported they had gang members who had served. Most of the respondents (66%) did not believe that military representatives advised their department when gang members were discharged from the military. More of the 2014 respondents than those in 2010 reported gang member use of military weapons, explosives, and equipment. More also reported gang members committed home invasions and armed robberies, and gang members currently in the military in their jurisdictions. Fewer thought their organization had a working relationship with military investigative authorities.
Insight intended to get students to think about what we teach what we teach at the University. The need to shift from High School, peer-infected decision making to stand-out-in-a-crowd, competitive workforce is the intended focus.
Communities everywhere have experienced the negative effects of street gangs. The presence of military-trained gang members (MTGMs) in the community increases the threat of violence to citizens. The problem addressed was the apparently growing presence of military-trained gang members in civilian communities in two southern states. The purpose was to determine the perceived presence of military-trained gang members and examine whether there was a relationship between the perceptions of gang investigators regarding the presence and the size of their jurisdictions, the proximity of their jurisdictions to a military installation, and the extent to which investigators participate in anti-gang activities. The Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve were identified as the largest sources of MTGMs and the Bloods, Crips, and Gangster Disciples were the gangs most represented. Military leaders should acknowledge the increase in gang-related crime and address the problems caused for both military and civilian communities without attempting to quantify the threat level. Military leadership should continuously examine activities of all suspected gang members for active gang affiliation for retention purposes while evaluating any gang affiliation for security clearances. Military Law Enforcement liaison for recruiters should develop effective communication with law enforcement agencies to assist with information sharing.
Technology advances have changed the way the average American communicates, plans his or her day, shops, drives, and does many other things. Technology has changed the way criminals, specifically gang members, live their lives as well. As gangs evolve, many adopt more of a business model. How does that affect the way law enforcement should investigate them?
You will get an overview of criminal communications options, actions, and interactions followed by a discussion of how law enforcement – mostly gang cops – can and do respond. Ideas on how to engage, assist, or even thwart the detection of such activity will be provided. The use of metaphors to explain how technology functions often helps the not-so-literate grasp the concepts we will discuss – an impromptu brainstorming session on how that works will likely occur.
An initial look at an alternative to internships that seeks to provide experience producing reports, networking opportunities, and exposure to the professions studied. This initiative was launched in response to new information regarding DHS employee education preparation, an increased interest in teaching to increase critical and creative thinking, and a limit on available internships. Students engage in individually-graded group assignments, submit and resubmit reviewed work, and selected reports and summaries are identified as able to be submitted to official agencies and organizations.
The identification process for Domestic Extremists requires considering many indicators. Recently released research indicates examining the mix of behavioral indicators such as personal connections, ideology, travel, and training may prove beneficial in determining the existence of an individual’s extremist views. The presentation suggests using these indicators not as a checklist but as a type of scale to help analysts determine priorities for research and investigation as resources become available.
A tool to remind audience members that loud cell phones are annoying, disrespectful, and rude . . .
This one has a twist at the end - designed to ask for silence but allow for input via text-messaging like with polleverywhere.com
Gabbidon examined perceptions of criminal justice students in a security administration class, asking reasons for taking the course, knowledge regarding the security field, their career objective, and whether they considered working in the security field. He later asked whether their interest in working in the security field had decreased, increased, or remained the same, whether their respect for the field decreased, increased, or remained the same, and how they would rate the course in comparison to other criminal justice courses they had taken. This research was replicated to determine differences in perceptions of security administration by current criminal justice students.
Keywords: private security, security administration, homeland security education, criminal justice courses, teaching security
This research study was designed to describe characteristics and perceptions of members of two Gang Investigators' Associations and to examine whether a relationship existed between the perceptions of gang investigators regarding the presence of MTGMs in their jurisdictions and the size of the gang investigators’ jurisdiction (i.e., county size, number of officers employed), the extent to which the gang investigators participate in anti-gang activities, the proximity of the gang investigators’ jurisdiction to a military installation (from survey and computed), time spent in anti-gang activities, age of investigator, and military installation size. The Military Gang Perception Questionnaire (MGPQ) (Smith, 2010), was used to address the goals of the study. A few of the questions paralleled a prior survey by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) (2007). The data and results of this study will be published and discussed elsewhere for academic and training purposes without openly identifying the source of information per an agreement between the author and the association board of directors.
Presentation for 2011 Southern Criminal Justice Association Meeting, Nashville, TN
Distinguishing Gangs, OrganizedCrime, and TerrorismCarter F. Smith & Jeffrey P. Rush,Austin Peay State University
Presentation for 2011 Southern Criminal Justice Association Meeting, Nashville, TN
Flash Gang: a social media connection such as Twitter is used to invite participants to a time and location, they do something like robbery or assault, and they split up. George Knox, NGCRC, June 15, 2011
Presentation for 2011 Southern Criminal Justice Association Meeting, Nashville, TN
An overview of ongoing research including preliminary results form 2009-2011 survey of college students and police regarding the presence of gangs on college campuses.
1. All grown up but still banging: What issues
can we expect if they don't "age out?”
1
2. Outline
• Issues with juvenile gang members
• Challenges when they stay as adults
• Challenges with advanced, adult gangs
• Recommended community responses
2
3. 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.
3
4. 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
4
5. Gangs Form Because?
• Individual needs
– physiological, safety, belongingness,
esteem
• Individual responses
– To pressure/Strain
• Community needs
– Security/Economy
5
6. 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
6
8. 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 26.59
Adapted 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.
8
9. Table 2: Gang Member Demographics By Age
Age % Albuquerque Las Vegas Phoenix
(5,647 in 1999) (6,232 in 1998) (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.
9
10. 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 10
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,
11. Many ex-gang members
• quit without retribution (maturational reform)
• leave for
– Job
– Child/family
– Aging
• motivated by experiencing violence
• move away (geographic relocation)
11
12. Challenges when they stay
• Increased # seasoned gang members
• limited future legit opportunities
• detrimental to adult transition
12
13. 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 13
15. Third Generation Street Gangs
• Some gangs evolve/transition through
three generations
– Turf gangs
– Market-oriented drug gangs
– Mix of political and mercenary elements
15
18. 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
18
19. 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
19
20. 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
20
22. 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
22
23. • New York
–union officials and two
former police officers
arrested for decades of
violent offences with
criminal groups.
23
24. • 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.
24
25. • 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).
25
27. 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
27
28. 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!
28
29. All grown up but still banging: What issues
can we expect if they don't "age out?”
29
Editor's Notes
(Decker and Curry, 2003; Klein, 1995; Spergel, 1995)