Criminal Street Gangs

Criminal Street GangsIdentification and Suppression

IntroductionA criminal street gang is a formal or informal group of three or more individuals with common identifiers whose primary goals include criminal activity.Common identifiers can include group name, colors worn, and common use of symbols/signs.

IntroductionIdentificationSelf AdmissionParentsInformantsAssociates with known gang membersDuck rule, i.e. acts like one, treat as one

IntroductionGang AssociateMeets partial criteriaAdmits to gang associationWanna be’sCan be most dangerous as they have something to proveMost likely win become involved in gang activity without intervention

IntroductionNew Orleans GangsAccording to FBI gang task force, no national known gang activityAll, except for some Vietnamese in New Orleans East, are home grownNo less violent and represent considerable problems for law enforcementHarder to build cases and prosecute because of fluidity

IntroductionFederal Gang StatuteTitle 18 Part I Chapter 26 Sec. 521. Criminal street gangs -STATUTE- (a) Definitions. - ''conviction'' includes a finding, under State or Federal law, that a person has committed an act of juvenile delinquency involving a violent or controlled substances felony. ''criminal street gang'' means an ongoing group, club, organization, or association of 5 or more persons - (A) that has as 1 of its primary purposes the commission of 1 or more of the criminal offenses described in subsection (c); (B) the members of which engage, or have engaged within the past 5 years, in a continuing series of offenses described in subsection (c); and (C) the activities of which affect interstate or foreign commerce. ''State'' means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States. (b) Penalty. - The sentence of a person convicted of an offense described in subsection (c) shall be increased by up to 10 years if the offense is committed under the circumstances described in subsection (d).

IntroductionFederal Gang StatuteTitle 18 Part I Chapter 26 Sec. 521. Criminal street gangs (continued)(c) Offenses. - The offenses described in this section are - (1) a Federal felony involving a controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)) for which the maximum penalty is not less than 5 years; (2) a Federal felony crime of violence that has as an element the use or attempted use of physical force against the person of another; and (3) a conspiracy to commit an offense described in paragraph (1) or (2). (d) Circumstances. - The circumstances described in this section are that the offense described in subsection (c) was committed by a person who - (1) participates in a criminal street gang with knowledge that its members engage in or have engaged in a continuing series of offenses described in subsection (c); (2) intends to promote or further the felonious activities of the criminal street gang or maintain or increase his or her position in the gang; and

IntroductionFederal Gang StatuteTitle 18 Part I Chapter 26 Sec. 521. Criminal street gangs (continued)(3) has been convicted within the past 5 years for - (A) an offense described in subsection (c); (B) a State offense - (i) involving a controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)) for which the maximum penalty is not less than 5 years' imprisonment; or (ii) that is a felony crime of violence that has as an element the use or attempted use of physical force against the person of another; (C) any Federal or State felony offense that by its nature involves a substantial risk that physical force against the person of another may be used in the course of committing the offense; or (D) a conspiracy to commit an offense described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).-SOURCE- (Added Pub. L. 103-322, title XV, Sec. 150001(a), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2034; amended Pub. L. 104-294, title VI, Sec. 607(q), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3513.)-MISC1- AMENDMENTS 1996 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104-294 inserted at end '' 'State' means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.''

IntroductionLouisiana Gang Statute RS 15:1404§1404. Definitions A. As used in this Chapter, "criminal street gang" means any ongoing organization, association, or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, which has as one of its primary activities the commission of one or more of the criminal acts enumerated in Paragraphs (1) through (8) of Subsection B of this Section or which has a common name or common identifying sign or symbol, whose members individually or collectively engage in or have engaged in a pattern of criminal gang activity.

IntroductionLouisiana Gang Statute RS 15:1404 (continued)B. As used in this Chapter, "pattern of criminal gang activity" means the commission or attempted commission of two or more of the following offenses, provided at least one of those offenses occurred after September 7, 1990 and the last of those offenses occurred within three years after a prior offense, and the offenses are committed on separate occasions or by two or more persons: (1) Aggravated battery or second degree battery as defined in R.S. 14:34 and R.S. 14:34.1. (2) Armed robbery as defined in R.S. 14:64. (3) First or second degree murder or manslaughter, as defined in R.S. 14:30, 30.1, and 31. (4) The sale, possession for sale, transportation, manufacture, offer for sale, or offer to manufacture controlled substances, as defined in R.S. 40:961 et seq. (5) Illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, as defined in R.S. 14:94. (6) Aggravated arson as defined in R.S. 14:51. (7) Intimidating, impeding, or injuring witnesses; or injuring officers, as defined in R.S. 14:129.1. (8) Theft, as defined in R.S. 14:67, of any vehicle, trailer, or vessel. Acts 1990, No. 230,§ 1.

Gang IdeologyThe gang can represent a family to the member who is looking for camaraderie, friendship, love, discipline, identity and support, both emotional and financialThe gang provides this through a well structured and disciplined environment.The gang provides an identity and the gang heritage to the memberIt can represent a paramilitary model

Gang IdeologyFamily Gang replaces familyGang provides for basic needsLoveDiscipline/StructureFoodShelterFinancial Support

IdeologyGang DisciplinePunishment is NOT disciplinePunishment is a tool for disciplineDisciplineAttending all gang activitiesBeing down for the setRecruiting new membersFurthering the purpose of the gangServes to remind the member where the boundaries are and requiring adherence to those boundaries

IdeologyRespect equals fearWeakness is equivalent toKindnessCourtesyBenefit of the doubt

IdeologyThe gang is not a street gang but an organizationExplains this attitude byProvides help for membersSupports membersGives guidance to new membersThey get along with each other

IdeologySocial movementGrass roots movementSocial causeMinority oppression Assist impoverished communitiesIncorporates as a non profitVery vocalApply for grant moneyFront for criminal activity

IdeologyPolitical actionCandidates run for officeFunding political campaignsHinders criminal investigations by seeking injunction forbidding investigationsPolitical statement and endorsementsPolitical control over law enforcement

Recruitment Why people join gangsIdentity or recognitionGenerational family influencePseudo-familyProtectionintimidation

RecruitmentInitiationsBeat-inSex-in (females only)Leads to female rivalryFemales initiated this way seen as “ho’s”Test of heartCriminal actCan be violent crime or property crimeGoal is to increase the reputation of the gang

RecruitmentRecruiting locationsSchoolsPublic and privateChurchesYouth outreach groupsTeen night clubsAthletic eventsHang outs

RecruitmentGetting Out“Membership is for Life”Beat OutMore severe than beat inLed to believe death will occur“Death is the only way out”DissociationSuccessfulMember must make decision

Gang MembershipAge RangeRecruiting targets 12-16 years oldBecoming youngerLenient juvenile justice systemAdults usually recruited through detention setting

Gang MembershipAge RangeAs the gang evolves, the median age of membership increasesThe older the average age the more serious the gang problemAs age increases, the violence and criminality also increases

Gang MembershipHard core and active membersParticipate in violent and aggressive a gang related criminal actsEncourage others to act violentlyRespected by other gang members and tolerated by outsidersIncludes recruiters and leaders of the gang

Gang MembershipAssociatesAssociate for status and recognitionWear the clothing and identifiers of gangAttend gang functionsAssociation fulfills the need to belongGang association gives respect on non gang personsFear

Gang MembershipPeripheral (At risk)Move in and out based upon interest of activities of gangReferred to as wanna besCan be most dangerousHave most to prove Will seek membership

Gang MovementInfluenced by parents moving juvenile away from gangAllows gang to start up and recruit in a new areaSee gang migration articles

Types of GangsTagging crewsInterest revolves around graffitiBegan in inner cities and have spread outPhilosophy is “art is not a crime”Hip hop cultureEventually mimic gang behaviorCrews have a common name

Types of GangsStonersHeavy metal music influenceMimic artist appearanceGothic/vampire influenceDrug usagehallucinogensSatanic or occult worship

Types of GangsSatanic or occultMembers are anti-social with varying degrees of personality disordersMembership is reinforced by participating in socially unacceptable actsIllegal drugs are used to enhance activities

Types of GangsSubversiveDomestic terroristsMembership is predicate upon hate of another because of:RaceReligionSexual orientationGovernment

Types of GangsTraditional gangs Have historical existence which leads to traditions which are adhered to and taught to new membersThese gangs may be referred to as a “turf gang”

Types of GangsNon-traditional gangsReferred to as transitional gangsHybrid in natureThis type of gang will slowly transition into a traditional gangThis gang is in a constant state of flux as tradition and ideology are sorted out

Gang ActivitiesMurderTheftDrugs, #1 source of income for gangsIntimidationExtortionNumerous other criminal activities

Major Street Gang SetsPeople Nation (Chicago Based) Includes Vice Lords, Latin Kings, Bishops, El Rukns, Latin Lovers, P. R. Stones, Pachucos and Vice Lords

Major Street Gang SetsFolk Nation (Chicago Based)Includes Black Gangster Disciples,, Maniac Latin Disciples, Deuces, Imperial Gangsters, Latin Eagles, Simon City Royals and Two Two BoysBlack Gangster DisciplesThree Leaders (Kings)David Barksdale aka King DavidJerome Freeman aka King ShortyLarry Hoover aka King Hoover

Major Street Gang SetsCrips (Los Angeles Based)Will fight other CripsAllied with Folk Nation if the Eight ball (graffiti) is intactPrison gang alliance with the Consolidated Crip OrganizationSubsets includeDurock, 76 East Coast Crips, Eight Tray Gangster Crips, Grape Street Watts, 52 Hoover Crips, Rolling 60’s, Shotgun Crips

Major Street Gang SetsBloods (Los Angeles Based)Formally known as PiruPrison Gang alliance with United Blood NationSubsets includeBounty Hunters, 59 Brims, Lime Hood Pirus, Main Street Swans, Denver Lane Bloods, Bloodstone Villains, Black P-Stone

IdentificationMonikersStreet name or nicknameOften the only name a witness/victim has to identify the gang member ColorsColors represent gang affiliationCan be worn through sports teams jerseysIndividual meanings for individual gangs

IdentificationRepresentingHand signsWearing clothing to a particular sideI.e. pant leg rolled up, hat worn to a side, shoes laces untied on one sideTattoosBest way to identify gang membersGang identifiers may be hidden in artwork

IdentificationGraffitiHow gangs communicateCommunicate threatsTake credit for criminal activityMark territoryAnnounces roll call of gang

Identification(Gang Alphabet)Click on box to view or click HERE to continue presentation.

Gang PreventionGangs should be treated as a criminal elementMediaNeed to be trained not to publicize gang activityThis will only bolster the gang’s imageCan lead to retaliation from other gangs seeking recognitionCan not show the gang member as a victim of societyShould not display graffiti on TV

Gang Prevention- IntelligenceMake liaison with school personnel, including security staff, resource officers, administrators, teachers and studentsCitizen watch groupsBusiness owners located near teen hang out areasGang Members from rival gangs, members in justice systemGraffiti

Gang Prevention/EducationDevelop community based anti-gang initiativeDARE, GREAT, after hours sportsTeach parents and school administrators of warning signsInformation that the youth has not been home for several nights, drug use, new found wealth, increased conflicts/fights, discovery of weapons, tattoos, etc

Gang SuppressionGang DocumentationField interviews of members and associates Include tattoos, clothing, associates, reason for contact, monikers, and any other identifiersReasons to stop can include the LA statutes in the accompanying folderSee also Terry Stop-need causeGang events Media reportsGraffiti and paraphernalia

Gang SuppressionGang SweepsZero tolerance policingMulti-agency effort, both intelligence and prosecution Probation/Parole officers can authorize warrantless searchesTarget specific high risk areas for intensive patrols

Gang SuppressionJuvenile curfewsTraffic EnforcementSpeedWindow tintLoud musicUnsafe equipmentMoving violationsFictitious licenseUnderage drivers

Gang SuppressionInvestigative stopsTerry StopsSee Sidebar Criminal activityAbout to be committedBeing committedJust committedPat down for weaponsBe able to articulate suspicionReasonable suspicion

Gang Suppression“Citizen contacts”Consensual contactConsensual search“Ask” for identificationNon-threateningCovert interview

Officer SafetyGangs will hide all kinds of weapons in all kinds of placesFemales may be used to hold weaponsFelony stop for known gang membersAlways be vigilant, as gang members can be very creative

AcknowledgementsUnless otherwise noted, all written information was derived from Criminal Street Gangs I class given by SEPSI and Robert Mateo. Photos on slides 52 and the upper left photo on slide 53 were obtained from http://www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/gangs/index.htmlOthers photos were derived from www.gangland.com or its links to the actual gangs themselves.

Criminal Street Gangs

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