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Preface Gangs both scare and fascinate us, as is evidenced by the routine attention paid to them by not only academics but by politicians, media, and popu­lar culture. Despite such attention, however, ­ there remain many myths and misconceptions about who joins gangs, why they do so, how much and what type of crime gangs engage in, and how best to both respond to and prevent them. Gang members are ste­reo­typed and labeled in ways that rarely help our understanding. This volume, then, is intended to provide accurate, current, and detailed information about all ­things gang-­related. Authored by criminologists, students, journalists, and community experts, the entries in this volume seek to inform readers about the most prominent types of gangs in the United States. Entries about ­ these groups discuss when, why, and where they formed the demographics of their members the primary signs and symbols used by the gang their most ardent enemies and their allies significant criminal cases in which members have been involved and efforts to prosecute members and to dismantle or reduce the influence of the gang. ­ These entries cover every­thing from street gangs to motorcycle gangs, hate gangs to prison gangs, including the Crips, Bloods, MS-13, Latin Kings, Aryan Brotherhood, Hells Angels, and more. They also focus on ethnic gangs and female gangs, describing impor­tant similari- ties and differences. Other entries in the volume are intended to provide a more historical view. Entries on de­ cades in U.S. history with significant gang activity chronicle which groups ­ were most active, what they did, and efforts taken by communities, lawmakers, and ­others to address them. Similarly, entries about key individuals—­ both gang leaders as well as leaders in efforts to understand, respond to, and prevent them—­provide a rich historical assessment of the prob­lem and a way of seeing how gangs have changed over time. Entries pres­ent information about infamous leader Stanley “Tookie” Williams and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, significant researchers including Frederic Thrasher and Malcolm Klein, community leaders like Geoffrey Canada and ­ Father Greg Boyle, and many more. A time line of key incidents also provides an impor­tant historical view. One of the questions that is most frequently asked about gangs is why do indi- viduals join them. Entries in this volume explore the application of the most sig- nificant criminological theories to gang involvement. In addition, entries address risk and protective ­ factors at the individual, peer, school, and community level. Fur- ther, entries examine symbols of gang involvement, like tattoos and graffiti.