Street Gangs in the United States

Street gangs in this country can probably be traced back to the first wave of Europeans who migrated to the colonies for a better life for themselves and their families. Many of the first gangs were formed as a means of self protection, with the thinking that there is simply strength in numbers. The missions of gangs in today’s society have grown and emerged to include many violent criminal avenues, including drug trafficking, prostitution, money laundering, and extortion but the original thinking that there is strength in numbers remains true. Criminology experts believe that the number of teens involved in gangs or gang activity may be as high as 1 in every 5 people in most urban areas. Those number jump to 1 in every 3 people in large cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.

New York State Law defines a gang as –

“…any ongoing organization, association, or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, having as one of its primary activities the commission of one or more criminal acts, which has an identifiable name or with the identifying sign or symbol, and whose members individually or collectively engage in or have engaged in a pattern of gang activity.”

The prison sentences in New York States for being involved in a crime while being part of a gang are much harsher than committing an offense on your own. Yet, gang members most times will freely admit their own role in the street gang, while never

giving up any of his brothers or their crimes. Every arrest, every conviction, earns these young people more respect within the gang. It is absurd to think a prison system can help rehabilitate criminals who are rewarded and valued for committing crimes and for keeping their loyalty to the gang. Pr...

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...iors of at least 40 other gangs existing in the prison systems and on the streets throughout the United States.

Unfortunately, with no real suppression or prevention plans in place, prisons are really nothing more than a place to keep violent gang members until they return to the streets. Alternatives to gangs and gang activities need to be established. Education and training programs are needed in correctional facilities, but there also need to be prevention measures in schools and neighborhoods. The only way our society is going to control the illegal and dangerous activities of gangs in prison, is to keep people from becoming caught up and trapped within gangs. Parents, teachers, and community leaders need to learn to have honest conversations with children about the evils of gangs, and help them find alternative and productive ways to spend their time.