The 2nd National Youth Gang Survey surveyed nearly 5,000 law enforcement agencies. Survey results indicate that the youth gang problem in the U.S. is substantial and impacts communities of all sizes, including rural counties. This report first discusses the methodology for conducting the survey. It then discusses survey results: city and county agencies reporting gangs; year gangs became a problem; number of gangs and gang members; types of gangs; unsupervised and troublesome youth groups; gang member demographics; gang migration; gangs and crime; and gangs and drugs. It also includes summary and conclusions. Over 50 charts and tables.
The United States has seen rapid proliferation of youth gangs since 1980. During this period, the number of cities with gang problems increased from an estimated 286 jurisdictions with more than 2,000 gangs and nearly 100,000 gang members in 1980 (Miller, 1992) to about 4,800 jurisdictions with more than 31,000 gangs and approximately 846,000 gang members in 1996(Moore and Terrett, in press). An 11-city survey of eighth graders found that 9 percent were currently gang members, and 17 percent said they had belonged to a gang at some point in their lives (Esbensen and Osgood, 1997).Other studies reported comparable percentages and also showed that gang members were responsible for a large proportion of violent offenses. In the Rochester site of the OJJDP-funded Program of Research on the Causes and Correlates of Delinquency, gang members (30 percent of the sample) self-reported committing 68 percent of all violent offenses (Thornberry, 1998). In the Denver site, adolescent gang members (14 percent of the sample) self-reported committing 89 percent of all serious violent offenses (Huizinga, 1997). In another study, supported by OJJDP and several other agenciesand organizations, adolescent gang members in Seattle (15 percent of the sample) self-reported involvement in 85 percent of robberies committed by the entire sample (Battin et al., 1998).This Bulletin reviews data and research to consolidate available knowledge on youth gangs that are involved in criminal activity. Following a historical perspective, demographic information ispresented. The scope of the problem is assessed, including gang problems in juvenile detention and correctional facilities. Several issues are then addressed by reviewing gang studies to provide aclearer understanding of youth gang problems.An extensive list of references is provided for further review.
This book aims to inform students about the latest research and the most promising and effective programs and for understanding, preventing and controlling juvenile delinquency. The book is geared to preparing students for a career in juvenile justice or related social service systems, and becoming research or program development specialists. The history of current juvenile justice system policies and practices are examined, including the juvenile violence "epidemic." Key myths about juvenile violence and the ability of the juvenile justice system to handle modern-day juvenile delinquents are critically examined. Developmental theories of juvenile delinquency are applied to understanding how juvenile offender careers evolve. Effective prevention and rehabilitation programs and what does not work are reviewed. A comprehensive framework for building a continuum of effective programs is presented in Part III.
The first comprehensive overview to examine how sex and race/ethnicity impact the interrelationships among youth violence, violent victimization, and gang membership.
