Gangs in Oklahoma

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Gangs have been around for a long time and have caused many problems in society. When people think of gangs they might think Los Angeles or Chicago, but Oklahoma’s gang violence has been at the same level as most major cities are dealing with. Gangs are a major problem in Oklahoma.

Gang members continue to increase in the state of Oklahoma. The main age group that joins these gangs are teenagers and pre-teens. Kids without enough attention or not having a father figure in their life tend to join gangs. Kids want comfort and security and some feel they can find that in gangs. And those are the kids we really need to focus on if we want to help prevent gangs in our society.

Crips are a major gang affiliation that was formed in the year of 1969 in Los Angeles, California. The two men responsible for its creation were Raymond Lee Washington and Stanley Tookie Williams. There is an estimate of 30,000 to 35,000 gang members in the United States. Bloods are also a major gang affiliation, and was created in 1972 also in Los Angeles. Pirus are the creators of this gang. Crips and Bloods have an intense rivalry between each other that has been going on ever since both were created(“Gangs”).Though the Crips and Bloods have a long history, they are just two of the gangs that exist.

People think most gang members are crips or bloods who came from Los Angeles, but today there are a lot of neighborhood sects that cause a lot of mischief (Million). "Gangs are no longer just an urban problem. Ten counties account for 59.2 percent of juveniles handled by the state between 1999 and 2006. These counties account for 74 percent of the identified gang members"(Million). "Many gang members have similar background factors: low educational achievement...

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Marks, Jay F. "City Wins $2.5 Million In Anti-Gang Funds: ?There Is No Future In Being A Member Of A Gang,' Federal Attorney General Says During Visit." Daily Oklahoman, The (OK) (2007): Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 21 Jan. 2014.

Million, David R. "Neighborhoods Are Growing Their Own Gangs: Oklahoma Anti-Gang Model Is Working In North, East And South Tulsa Areas." Tulsa World (OK) (2007): Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 10 Jan. 2014.

Nick, O'Malley. "Killing 'was a Gang Initiation'." Canberra Times 23 Aug. 2013: 10. Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 21 Jan. 2014.

Spencer, Gainey. "Federal Officials Laud Oklahoma's Efforts to Reduce Gang Violence." Journal Record Legislative Report (Oklahoma City, OK) n.d.: Regional Business News. Web. 21 Jan. 2014.

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