Comparative Perspective of Organized Crime
Comparative Perspective of Organized Crime
Gangs continue to incite violence and fear within our communities. With the pervasiveness of gangs today, we are seeing more sophistication and the brazen tactics of intimidation, drugs, weapons and increased criminal activity. Communities are challenged by confronting these types of issues. Facing them jointly with law enforcement, citizens are adapting strategies including education and awareness as their best defense against gang violence. This paper will address two prominent Los Angeles crime gangs, the 18th Street Gang and the Crips.
Historical Perspective – 18th Street Gang
The 18th Street Gang is primarily a Hispanic gang formed in the 1960’s in Los Angeles (The National Alliance of Gang Investigator’s Association, 2005). It is thought that the origin of the name stemmed from the older Clanton 14 Street gang because of the area where the gang made its’ home base. Although some members are of a mixed racial composite, it is considered one of the oldest and largest of the Hispanic gangs. Because of the acceptance of immigrants, the 18th Street Gang has grown considerably and has expanded throughout California, to the Midwest and to the East Coast. Some of their recruitment techniques involve solicitation in elementary and middle schools that has increased their membership significantly, along with their ties in Mexico and South America (The National Alliance of Gang Investigator’s Association, 2005).
Membership and Hierarchy
It is estimated that there are approximately 8,000 to 15,000 members of the 18th Street Gang in Los Angeles alone. The gang may be as large as 30,000 or more when considering the Central American factions. The gang is divided into sub-sets: North, East, South, West and South Central Los Angeles; however, there are affiliations in other countries such as El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Mexico (National Public Radio, 2008). According to law enforcement, there is no known
Gangs continue to incite violence and fear within our communities. With the pervasiveness of gangs today, we are seeing more sophistication and the brazen tactics of intimidation, drugs, weapons and increased criminal activity. Communities are challenged by confronting these types of issues. Facing them jointly with law enforcement, citizens are adapting strategies including education and awareness as their best defense against gang violence. This paper will address two prominent Los Angeles crime gangs, the 18th Street Gang and the Crips.
Historical Perspective – 18th Street Gang
The 18th Street Gang is primarily a Hispanic gang formed in the 1960’s in Los Angeles (The National Alliance of Gang Investigator’s Association, 2005). It is thought that the origin of the name stemmed from the older Clanton 14 Street gang because of the area where the gang made its’ home base. Although some members are of a mixed racial composite, it is considered one of the oldest and largest of the Hispanic gangs. Because of the acceptance of immigrants, the 18th Street Gang has grown considerably and has expanded throughout California, to the Midwest and to the East Coast. Some of their recruitment techniques involve solicitation in elementary and middle schools that has increased their membership significantly, along with their ties in Mexico and South America (The National Alliance of Gang Investigator’s Association, 2005).
Membership and Hierarchy
It is estimated that there are approximately 8,000 to 15,000 members of the 18th Street Gang in Los Angeles alone. The gang may be as large as 30,000 or more when considering the Central American factions. The gang is divided into sub-sets: North, East, South, West and South Central Los Angeles; however, there are affiliations in other countries such as El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Mexico (National Public Radio, 2008). According to law enforcement, there is no known
References: Abadinsky, H. (2007). Organized Crime. (8th Ed.). Belmont, CA. Thomson/Wadsworth 18th Street Gang in Los Angeles County. (2002). Retrieved January 30, 2009 from http://www. streetgangs.com Gang Watchers. (2005). Retrieved January 31, 2009 from http://www.gangwatchers.org. Gangs Or Us. (2009). Retrieved February 1, 2009 from http://www.gangsorus.com Gangsta King: Raymond Lee Washington. (2003). Retrieved January 31, 2009 from http://www.streetgangs.com Los Angeles Times. (2008). Retrieved January 31, 2009 from http:www.latimes.com National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations. (2005). Retrieved January 31, 2009 from http://www.nagia.org National Public Radio. (2008). Retrieved January 31, 2009 from http://www.npr.org Street Gangs. (2008). Retrieved February 1, 2009 from http://www.streetgangs.com