Print

Introduction “Boston gang member sentenced to prison for murder-­ for-­ hire plot.” “MS-13 gang member deported 4 times sexually abused 2-­ year-­ old girl.” “Neighbors demand action ­ after gang shooting.” ­ These headlines, all taken from the National Gang Cen- ter’s website, offer a brief view into what is a very complex topic. Gangs are feared and loathed yet also admired, and above all, deeply misunderstood. They harm communities but in some cases engage in social good. They all look and act differ- ently despite the ubiquitous ste­reo­types that permeate popu­lar culture. Indeed, most ­ people hear the word “gang” and imagine a young male, typically a minority, heavi­ ly tattooed and sporting red or blue. Such images are perpetuated through books, films, tele­ vi ­sion, ­ music, and mainstream media, yet they fail to truly capture what it means to be in a gang or what gangs do. One of the aims of this volume, then, is to debunk the myths and misconceptions about gangs. The National Institute of Justice notes that, in the United States, ­there is no uni- versally agreed on definition of a gang. The terms “gang,” “street gang,” and “youth gang” may be used interchangeably. Other groups may be gangs but are not always referred to as gangs. This list includes motorcycle gangs, hate groups, or­ga­nized crime groups, and terrorist organ­izations. The Department of Justice, the Depart- ment of Homeland Security, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), define a gang as: An association of three or more individuals whose members collectively identify themselves by adopting a group identity, which they use to create an atmosphere of fear or intimidation, frequently by employing one or more of the following: a common name, slogan, identifying sign, symbol, tattoo or other physical marking, style or color of clothing, hairstyle, hand sign or graffiti Whose purpose in part is to engage in criminal activity and which uses vio­lence or intimidation to further its criminal objectives and Whose members engage in criminal activity or acts of juvenile delin- quency that if committed by an adult would be crimes with the intent to enhance or preserve the association’s power, reputation or economic resources. (National Insti- tute of Justice, 2011) Additional characteristics of gangs identified in the above-­ listed definition include rules pertaining to joining and operating within the group regularity of meetings among members having an identifiable structure offering of physical protection to members and seeking to control a specific geographic region or defending it from