Youth Violence Caused by Gangs

Youth violence increases with gang participation and often involves guns.

Youth violence and gangs go hand in hand. The Violence Prevention Coalition of Greater Los Angeles (VPC) indicates gang members are more likely to engage in violent activities such as drive-by shootings and homicides than non-gang members. They report the cause of this violence is usually over something trivial like a turf dispute. According to the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center (NYVPRC), youth violence through gang activity has been on an overall decline since 1996, yet cities with populations greater than 25,000 are peaking in gang activity.

History

Violence associated with gang activity is not a new revelation. VPC reports over the "last several hundred years," the "gang capital of the world" title has been passed from different cities with London, England holding it first. Other cities having held the title include New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia. According to the National Gang Intelligence Center, currently the Pacific, Southwest and central regions of the United States rank highest in gang activity.

Membership

Common age of a gang member is 17, but members range in age from 12 to 24, indicates the NYVPRC. Hope Family Services (HopeFS) reports that violence starts the minute a youth decides to join a gang. New male members are forced to fight or are put through a severe beating. New female members are forced to engage in sexual activity with other gang members, male or female. Females may also be forced to fight. New members must also prove their loyalty to the gang by committing a violent crime like assaulting an innocent person or robbing a store at gunpoint.

Violent Acts

Disputes over insignificant things such as status and territory create the most violent gang-related acts which include drive-by killings, drive-by shootings, other shootings, homicides, burglaries, thefts and rape. The VPC reports victims of this violence are usually younger people and Hispanics were more victimized than non-Hispanics.

Misconceptions

Youth are lured into gangs through misconceptions. HopeFS reports youth may believe gang membership will make them more popular or that it will give them a secure feeling of involvement. Many members come from broken homes and are looking for acceptance, respect and protection. Financial security is sometimes promised to them as well.

Truths

Gangs are violent. Gangfree.org reports gang members often use violence, especially against rival gangs. They bully and intimidate other young people and adults. They engage in criminal activity such as shootings and drug use. They are also known to destroy property through vandalism and graffiti. The VPC indicates gangs are not close-knit groups and they have weak leadership which often changes hands. The NYVPRC reports membership fluctuates, lasting an average of one-year.

Prevention/Solution

VPC reports that law enforcement officials cannot fight youth violence or gangs alone. It is a problem that needs to be addressed by communities through gang prevention and intervention programs. HopeFS suggests youth should be encouraged to involve themselves in other activities such as sports, clubs or volunteer groups and should be encouraged to set goals for themselves.

References

• Violence Prevention Coalition of Greater Los Angeles: Gang Violence
• Hopefs.org: Teens and Gangs
• National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center: Youth Gangs and Violence
• National Gang Intelligence Center: Gang Proliferation
• Gangfree: Gang Facts