Gangs
Gangs exist in urban areas, and more recently even in the rural areas as well.
They number well over a quarter million youths throughout the country. It is a
lamentable fact that in our society there is such a ready and easily obtainable
supply of firearms. This, coupled with the availability of drugs, including
alcohol, leads to much of the impulsive violence that occurs. Consequently,
within the ranks of gang members, there are youth who run the gamut from
praksters to vandals to armed robbers to murderers! It is also worth mentioning
that movies, videos, and even fashions in our society often seem to glamorize
youth rebellion and gangster lifestyle.
Gangs members participate in a variety of anti-social behaviors, including
battery, mayhem, sexual assault, damage to property, larceny, murder, gang wars
and other criminal activity.
Gangs often form along ethnic and racial lines, although there is an
increasing trend of young people joining gangs for economic motives.
They number well over a quarter million youths throughout the country. It is a
lamentable fact that in our society there is such a ready and easily obtainable
supply of firearms. This, coupled with the availability of drugs, including
alcohol, leads to much of the impulsive violence that occurs. Consequently,
within the ranks of gang members, there are youth who run the gamut from
praksters to vandals to armed robbers to murderers! It is also worth mentioning
that movies, videos, and even fashions in our society often seem to glamorize
youth rebellion and gangster lifestyle.
Gangs members participate in a variety of anti-social behaviors, including
battery, mayhem, sexual assault, damage to property, larceny, murder, gang wars
and other criminal activity.
Gangs often form along ethnic and racial lines, although there is an
increasing trend of young people joining gangs for economic motives.