I think the reason for increased gang members is complex multitude of reasons. Depressed current U.S. economic status, breakdown of family units, lack of postive male role models, glorification of gang roles by media, and the traditions of being a gang member in familes all play an important roles in increasing gang membership.
What I feel we need to increase focus on a means of preventing additional gang memberships by creating additional activites and programs for youth and for those who may be suffering currently because of the economic downturn.
There also needs to be increased gang diversion programs to train gang members for jobs and help to get them off the streets.
After reading about the gang numbers growing in San Bernanido, it leaves me to believe that we are not acting quickly enough with these people. What I mean by this is probably most gang members get started at an extremely young age and they just continue on into their adult life. Juveniles today are the way we can get ahold of all these gangs that get started, because if we start early enough with these kids that are acting in such violent ways then it can change their lives when they reach the adult years. Under seventeen is when they are considered juveniles and they have a different court system than the adults. They believe that bootcamps and things like shock probation will make a difference in their lives. No we have to start being so much sticter on these young kids and just trying to half way fix a problem will not slve anything. Most young kids go to events like these and when they get home they turn around and start doing the exact same thing. We need to go deep, look at the parents see if they are capable and right minded to be handeling these kids and keep them locked up longer versus giving them a lot more lenuncy than adults do. If they are going to commit crime just like adults they should be held just as accountable. People say that there to young and not mature enough to know what they are doing but there is no way that I would ever believe that. We spend numerous of tax dollars a year on criminals who have done the worst of the worst, to me its poitless to spend millions of dollars a year when we could invest in young adults to try to help them change so that we would not have this large amount of gangs.
You do the numbers. Almost 13,000 gang members(as of 2007) and 16 specialized officers. These gang members are much smarter than are given credit. It is "strength in numbers". For every 5 gangsters taken off the streets, 10 more have already been recruited. The number of gang members are growing at a faster rate than they can be taken off the street. So whats next? They are put into the prison system which is the biggest advocator of gangs we have. They are thrown into a system where they are told to survive. What are the choices? To find security, protection and companionship, they again find "strength in numbers" and fall into prison gangs. It is a sad cycle that will never end until our currnet policies of early prevention and rehabilitation change.
As I take my kids to school I look out the window and look at all the other children that have been waiting for a bus since before the sun rise because mom or dad which either one has them right know had to be at work and the kids are left to fend for themselves. it is sad I know i do this on my own but i do want my kids to know im there no matter i i work or go to school i will make sure i take them and pick them up for that time is bonding. Around 4 is when all the kids are let lose the have there homes to themselve since the mom and dads still at work i see them fighting and smokeing and runing around as if the had no head attach ed to them I fear for my kids to hang out side or even play i do belive that who our children play with will effect how they will act. i put the in sport and cross my finger this will help. The satate and city does not see that if you offer help to all children not just the one without the means to pay that yourteach the kids that everyone has a chance. I chose to go to school and live n a tight budget only because if i hold down a job i will pay my hole paycheck to childcare it is lik they would rather have us sitting on our butts doing nothing and the gov't support us because when we do go out and do better for ourselves we get denied help. The sad partis every one need health ins. but the cost is so much . If we knew there was a safe place that these children can go to while we work it would be nice but nowdays who can we trust you look at the news and see what happens everyday to our kids. I guess whn they say it take one to have a child and a village to raise it there right if we were all to work together and show them that threr is no diffrence between race and sex and money maybe one day we will not being seeing these kids getting killed for there shoe. ere is a idea why dont the retailers make thing more affordable to people so maybe the kids would want to steel them if tey knew that working and making 8 dollars would let them pay bills and take care of themseleves it mght lower the rate of people ganging up on other for what the have.
I agree with the other posters. There is no cut and dry answer to fixing this problem. I believe that young kids need to know that someone cares about them. There should be more mentoring programs for families that are at risk. We need to reach kids at a much younger age and give them somewhere to go and something to do so they feel like they are a part of something. There needs to be more positive police presence in the communitites so that kids and parents feel protected. After reading some of the books for Dr. Gullion's class, there is a common theme that police officers may or may not show up when they are called and often times are part of the problem. Kids no more trust the police than the police trust them.
An increase in the funding and man-power of gang police officers needs to be invested in more. Scarce budgets have been an issue, and will only continue as time goes by, BUT that also means if the budget is cut for those specific officers then there will be an increase in gang activity (as they will have no one to regulate or control it). While the number of murder charges have decreased, the activity has risen within the gangs themselves, leaving citizens and neighbors in fear. I agree with the mention of "gang movement", a gang can up and move on to another territory, bringing the violence and activity to a new area. When an individual has nothing else in life to keep him/her motivated in a positive way, they turn to whatever is there for their taking. There are many theories to help explain why certain individuals turn to a bond where they are respected and appreciated. This can steam from a lack in the social bonds or there learning through example (social learning). Unfortunately for some this can lead to a downward effect of hardships as they enter a "family hood" of their gang. I agree with jamf2a, on the importance of the media and it's role in the gang activity increase. Media (whether it be movies, books, TV shows), portrays gangs (gang roles) as normalcy and doesn't always give the complete picture of what a "gang " is.
Obviously, one of the main reasons as to why gang numbers have increased over the years is due to the economic status of the United States. Within gang life, gangsters find some form of brotherhood, or family, that will take care of them, and as a repayment for said protection, they do whatever it takes to maintain it. All that includes stealing, selling drugs, and so on. One can argue that there need to be programs going that will keep the kids off the streets and in a better environment, but let's think realistically for a second. Gang numbers are up and police enforcement is dwindling. Without any hard evidence, the police are unable to act on apprehending gangsters. As clearly stated in the article, it takes a while for the officers to attain the proof and put the gangsters in prison. Within that time period, new gangsters are being recruited at younger ages and, as a result, help the gangs grow in numbers making it increasingly difficult to maintain control of the problem. What can our law enforcement do to a child under the age of 7 in this country? Not much. We need more funding for the officers. More enforcement means more people working on catching gang members faster and more effectively. A very real dent would have the ability to be made in the gang numbers, as well as an impression. There would be progress in trying to lessen, and hopefully eliminating gang activity. However, that is an idealistic way to look at the matter, but whatever can be done should be done.
I think the reason for the increase in gang members is due to the environment that young children are raised in. Many children are raised around and influenced by existing gang members. Due to the lack of supervision and positive rolemodels in their life they have no choice but to look up to other gang members for guidance and ways to survive. Another reason the numbers are increasing may be because of punishments that are given to the young kids. For example if an older gang member get one of the younger kids (age 5-7) off the street to committ a crime there is no severe punishment given to the child. Gang members look at this as an advantage to them and will continue to repeat these type of crimes using the young kids because they know they can get away with it. Gang members will do what the people of authority allow them to do and will take advantage of it in any way that they can. I also do no think that there is enough law enforcement to really help stop the increase in gang members and crime. I think the law enforcement have alot of information about gangs but at the same time lack alot of information. Another reason for increased numbers of gang members is because they feel as though they have no choice and feel like it is the only way to live life. Low funds is another reason why there is an increase in gang members. The more money that the law have the more people they can get involved to help and increase research and different experiments to help eliminate gangs.
Well of course there is going to be an increase in gang member numbers for two big reasons, for one with the increase of illegal aliens coming into the U.S. and two the issues with poverty. Illegal aliens are coming and finding jobs that pay little to nothing keeping them in poverty, being in poverty they are surrounded with the thugs and low life’s of the world. This may not affect the parent(s) but it does affect the kids, as discussed in class gang members get little kids to do there dirty work like shooting other people. Its not like the child can go to jail, weather or not you think this is ethical gang members like the crips and the bloods get away with it. So it’s like getting away with murder one and recruiting for you click. But I digress from the issue at hand, as long as gangs fill the need of being wanted among people who are lonely this will continue. We all hang around people that make us feel wanted in some form or another, some people just chose gangs for their fulfillment. It also does not help the fact that we as a society seem to glorify the gangster life, so think about that the next time your watching a gang related move.
I am sure the economy has something to do with the increase in gang members, but not as much as one might think. When you have grown up in generational poverty it has always been hard-times. This socioeconomic group should be voted most likely to survive just fine though a depressed economic climate. Gangs can adapt and are very opportunistic. Not all gang members are complete idiots. Many are brilliant leaders and wonderful soldiers, although completely misguided. This brings me to my point and two of my favorite words, PREVENTION & REHABILITATION. I thought it strange that the only time the word prevention came up was in the last sentence of the article. I understand that society feels better about arresting the riff-raff and getting them off the street, but then what do you do with them? What about when they are released and have served their time and paid their debt to society? We must not lose sigth that these young men and women posess the greatest potential to effect change in their neighbor hoods. Have we provided them with the tools to make those changes while they were incarcerated and assured them the opportunities will be available for change once reintegrated? I hate to sound like a bleeding heart because those of you that know me know I am nothing of the sort, but what we are doing is not working. If we have to bear the costs of corrections, then shouldn’t we be correcting something and not punishing? Just a thought……
Obviously all of the previous posts are all on the right track as to why the number of gang member has gone up so drastically. The uncontrollable status of our economy has a heavy weight upon why people in gangs or joining gangs are doing so. Being in a gang has its pros and cons, some of the biggest pros that help the people in gangs decided to join are; the money involved in it, having security from the group, and a sense of belonging to a family. The members of the gang are normally stuck in the lower class so they will jump on any opportunity to get the slightest bit ahead, moral or immorally. As to the topic of the number of cops to gang members, there’s no helping that. The number of people joining gangs is higher than people joining the force. Once a member is “terminated” there are more to replace his/her spot. Of course, each police station is doing what they can to help this situation, like what the cop said in the article; “Everything we do is proactive.” Every action taken by the cops against this growing, well for lack of better words, tragedy, is useful. There is no way to completely rid America of gang members unfortunately.
The headline is intimidating. The statement that gangs are growing larger, increasing by 48% is just downright scary. I was unaware that being identified as a gang member could add extra years in prison when a crime was committed to benefit a gang. But apparently discouraging crime out of fear of imprisonment has not worked. California is also one of the states hit extremely hard by the economic downturn, so funding for anti- gang programs are being cut. But doesn’t a bad economy increase the likelihood of crime? Isn’t social disorganization an increase possibility when areas become more poverty stricken and family structure is broken? When family values are removed, differential association increases and doesn’t that increase the threat of criminal behavior? Which then leads to rational choice that gang action is justified because it weighs those “who have” against those “who have not”. And according to Travis Hirschi, the social control theory sets in, the attachment, commitment and belief in society is gone. Therefore they feel that the deviant path is their only recourse. Could the answer be socialism- distribute the wealth so there is no poverty? That might eliminate Marxism and the Bourgeoisie verses the Proletariat theory, yet there would always be someone not happy with the division of wealth. Then crime would evolve again because of rational choice, “he has more than me, so I will just take a little of his” and the cycle begins again.
While reading this article, I was surprised by the comment made by Bobby Vega, "When I read the paper and see the high number of gangs, I'm like, `Where are they at? I don't see them,"'Is he living in a bubble? I understand that he views these statistics as mostly racial profiling but gangs are everywhere. As stated in the article, law enforcement if not allowed to label just anyone as a gang member. They must have proof of affiliation. Such as tattoos, specific colors, admitting their membership, or several other reasons.
The economic status has a great impact on the rise in gang activity and membership. Poverty, less opportunities, resources, and lack of education are all main factors that lead individuals, especially young men to join gangs. Another serious factor is your surroundings and the environment you are raised in. The Social Learning theory is greatly associated with gang participation. Someone who is raised in a violent, unstable, gang related family is more likely to join a gang and participate in violent behavior than an individual raised in a more stable surrounding. Those individuals have been taught that way of living is the only way.
In order to help prevent the rise of gang memberships we need more resources, after school programs, counselors, and more interaction at school and with families. These young adults need more attention and assurance that everyone wants the best for them and their future.
San Bernadino has a long history of gangs and gang related issues. The Hells Angels originated there in the late 1940’s after WWII. San Bernadino County is the largest county in the United States. I feel that the hard economic times that our country is facing has contributed to the rise in gang membership in San Bernadino.
My father worked at the small airport in San Bernadino for approximately 2 weeks in October of 2008. He stated that the city was at the base of some deserty mountains and observed that the prices for houses were enormously over inflated and people were struggling economically. He said that the rumor he heard going around by the other workers was that “they were moving to Dallas where work was easier to find.” However, in another sense, some of the gangs in Los Angeles might have moved to San Bernadino where new gang prospects were easier to find and an area with a smaller police presence.
I think the reason gang members have increased is due to the state of the economy, a sense of belonging and the glorification of gangs. The economy plays a major role because the environment that most of the gangs are formed is stricken with poverty. Most of the gang members either dropped out of school or didn't go to school because they could not afford a decent education. They need to find away to make survive and make money so they join a gang.They feel that society has given up on them so by joining a gang they achieve that sense of belonging. They can find brotherhood and protection within in a gang. They are somebody now. gangs have been glorified in movies, music, TV, and the kids see this and they want to join. The Vice Lords tried to fix there act and change the community of Chicago for the better. It was working for awhile, but one gunshot ruined it all. if there was a away to rehabilitate the gang members and show them they could have a positive impact on their community then maybe we could see a decrease in gangs.
Well! I can sit here and say like everyone else its because of the economy, no father figure,and positive role model. In reality, it more to it than those excuses I believe that it a business and a profit sharing by people in high places to take advantage of these individuals. It's a revolving door in the Prison system to continue to foster such activities in our communities. Why have not there been any type of communities, states, and federal jobs created for our youth to foster them skills and experience to lead them in productive manner. Its just to common to say it because of the economy, role model,and no father figure...the problem is behind the close doors where people have the power to open up other avenues.
I agree that in order to (or at least help) prevent growing numbers of gang membership is to start with the youth. I think more school programs educating the youth about the dangers of being involved in a gang would be effective with the younger kids. As for the older kids and teens, I think more after school programs that keep them entertained but also keep them working together would work the best. I think most schools are acting like gangs are not a problem with today's youth when in reality it is a huge problem. So instead of shying away from the growing number of gang members, we should face it head on and work towards prevention and be less worried about reaction.
Let me see, we have a decrease in economic standards in America, an increase in the number of 2 income families to try and counteract this, an increase in the type of programming our children are exposed to on the TV and the internet and a turn towards standardized education that eliminates the teachers need to know their students, I wonder why there is an increase in the number of gang members. Although this article was deleted from the webpage, I have read it. As we all know gangs will move into areas of low crime and drug rates in order to spread their deviance, there for the local police departments should have been prepared. I am beginning to see a trend here, whereas although many local police departments feel they are trained in handling and deterring gang activity, they are not trained in looking for the areas that will be subject to future activity. Seriously 16 officers for a gang task force, I think we have more than that out here and we only have 20 officers on the force period. Most of the departments are concentrating on the current situations and not looking toward the future. It is like the small town force that has 4 officers to cover the 20 mile area of town with a population of 1000 and all of the sudden a large cooperation moves in to the area and more people are moving in, crime is going to increase because this town was not ready for a population explosion. They did not look towards the future and budget for more officers.
After reading the article on how much gang membership has soared in San Bernadino County, the initial statement that comes to mind is WOW! But what can we do to deter the increase in gang membership everywhere? Gang membership is increasing quicker than law enforcement. Yes we need additional law enforcement officers but we know funding is a problem. I believe more inner city youth prevention programs should be implemented. With the current economic crisis over the past several years, I wonder might this have anything to to do with the increase in membership? I believe and increase in arrest will create a vacuum effect, although when on one is arrested and shut down, another takes its place. This seems to be a continuous never-ending cycle. We need to make changes to redirect the phrase, "we are a product of our environment", because I'm living proof it can be accomplished.
there is many reasons to why the gang numbers are rising. some people just want to make money in this economy which is hard with a regular job and they would rather make money either by selling drugs or stealing money only because they feel that is not wrong its just what they grew up with. Also most gangsters do drugs and most jobs they could have wouldnt be able to support thier habbit.
Growing up is hard enough without compounding the issue with poverty, no education, and or a disconnect to your family. With the fractured family lives today it is no wonder kids are trying to find what they are missing in feeling connected. With Mom and Dad both chasing after that golden ring in their careers, the home life is the leftovers of their daily energy. A child is lucky to have the presence of both parents in the home; however in these depressed economic times the adult may not always be in the best mood, which often leads to abuse of the weaker dwellers. If a need is left unfulfilled in the home they will look elsewhere. The gangs hold an acceptance to all who prove themselves worthy. After looking on line and Googling a few of the gang-sites it is understandable to the innocent how they would be drawn in. The Mexican Mafia, born in the L.A. prison system, glorifies and is proud of the fact that they are feared. Tookie a CRIP member snapped out of it in time to get a few books for kids published, to try and keep them from making the same mistakes he made in his youth, before he was executed.
I strongly agree with the last couple comments above, we can sit back and name all the leads and expected problems that leads children/adolescents to join gangs and for the rapid climb in gang members, but are we getting involved in stopping or preventing them from joining?
I read this article and it breaks my heart to know that I grew up in these streets of San Bernardino as a teenager and saw the gangs then, claimed colors, had a SET of friends, and been to numerous funerals related to driveby shootings or gang fights, all for the love of nothing, emptiness. But as I got older and with the help of church leaders and older OGs that looked out for my future and those other youngsters I was around, my family made a wise choice to move me out of that neighborhood. I was fortunate, but not all will be as fortunate to have those same blessings. Why do the numbers of gangs climb? Because gangs are who children that don't know any better run too, because that's who they turn too for safety and shelter, when they are bored and need something economically, the streets is who children turn to first, it's always available 24/7, 365 days. Show of example plays another big role as well, Military, who is suppose to be of law enforement, get twisted up and pose a threat to officials and national security and when these adolescents see things such as gang activities in the military increasing they tend to think that joining a gang is just as equal as joining the military, to serve and protect. So just as it's easy to sit back and name all the reasons and signs of why children join gangs, we should just as easily take action in preventing and getting involved with activites, resources, media, city and state officials to direct their (children/adolescents) attention away from the streets and into more productive paths.
there needs to be a few things done in order to stop gang violence. first more officers need to be trained on identifing gangs and gang violence and trained in dealing with gang violence. secondly parents need to start taking a more active role in their childrens lives, giving birth doesnt make you a parent taking care of a child does, teaching them right from wrong, what is good and what is bad, that makes a parent among other things. teaching your children how to be a productive member of society is another example of what needs to be done in order to stop gang violence and recruitment. Something else is maybe making products more affordable for the working class people, so parents dont have to work 3 jobs to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads, or if that is unrealistic how about more after school programs to get the kids involved in something constructive instead of destructive.
With our economy in such bad shape, the situation is only going to get worse. Why are there gangs? The reasons are countless. We live in a sham American dream society for many of our disadvantaged youths. They have no future, and they know it. Many of them come from extreme poverty and broken homes. There is no father in their lives. The gang becomes their family. Our criminal justice system is not built to solve the problem. An adversarial approach only makes matters worse, in an environment where young men are just struggling to survive. If you try to break a young man, how will he react? They will be broken, or they will fight back. Neither way is the way to go forward and the problem will only get worse until our societal ills are resolved.
In the meantime, we can take an understanding approach. We need to try and solve some of the problems young men face in the inner city, as well as in the middle class suburbs. As with all the other topics discussed on CJB, there needs to be a cultural change in our society, before the problems with gangs can be resolved. The rich get off and the poor do time. When injustice in our society is not reconciled and when equality under the law is just a word, is it any wonder that some among us decide to write their own rules? Those in power are above the law. They write the laws to protect their own self- interests and to keep others in their place. As Bobby Vega said “we don’t get to define ourselves, we’re not the dominate culture”.
I think that although there are many reasons for a person to become a gang member, the most reason would probably be because they feel that they have no other option. Many of these gang member come from broken homes, abusive homes, or some no homes at all. These gangs gives them everything that they have ever wanted love, family, warm place to stay, food, acceptance, and a safe place to stay. If you were a homeless child or being beaten every time that you breath at home, selling drugs and pulling a trigger for your family does not seem so bad of a price to pay. As long as children are born into these situations and as long as there are gangs out there that are going to take advantage of these situations, there is not a way to stop gangs from growing and spreading throughout the United States.
There are many reasons why the number of gang members is growing, but I do believe that the # 1 reason is due to the lack of responsibility from the parents. We have parents who have two or even three jobs, never home and have absolutely no idea what their kids are getting into while their gone. The environment that they grow in have a lot to do with how the manage their life’s.
Remember we have gangs who are now recruiting online, easy access? Call it whatever you want, but I believe that if parents were a little more involve with their children, they can probably stop this from happening.
The growing gang problem can only be solved if we address it from several different fronts. The first place to correct this problem is the reconstruction of our education system. Kids need to have better teachers who can afford to spend the time that their students require. Once children are receiving the knowledge they need in class, they can then use it with the intelligence they are given at home. Parents who encourage their children to go to college and stay out of trouble are much less likely to join a gang. With positive influences from home and school, a child is well on their way to a successful life. A third way to prevent the growth of gangs is the division of inmates in the prison system. The mixing of violent and nonviolent inmates in prisons has led to an increase in gang members. "Punks" (passive inmates) try to avoid their label by joining a gang that provides them with protection. Meaning that many nonviolent convicts are forced into gang activity, so that they may survive in prison without constant physical and psychological abuse. Lastly, gang numbers can diminish by revamping the rehabilitation programs inside of the correctional facilities. If gangsters are given an education (coupled with counseling and positive emotional outlets [religion, yoga, etc)] in prison, than they can have the opportunity to change their lifestyle and make a positive impact of the community.
Delvin: I agree with your second point that poverty is a contributing factor in gang membership. But immigration is not the only reason for soaring gang numbers. Yes, America is an ethnic melting pot, so, naturally, our gangs tend to be divided on the lines of color. But in different nations, we see gangs with the same color who feud with each other. Even if we set aside different countries, it appears that you are making the argument that only immigrants contribute to the gang problem. This premise completely falls apart if you consider white gangs like the Aryan Brotherhood, Dead man, or the Hells Angels.
So many reasons why gang numbers are soaring really. Naturally look at our country right now, what does a kid have to aspire to? Working hard, getting and education and still having nothing to show for yourself? How exciting that looks to a kid. Education needs to change, I work in the schools and I see how the middle schoolers think being gangsta is so cool. We need to do something to change that. We need parental involvement past the early elementary years. Even in areas that have huge parental involvement in elementary that drops off in middle school which is the time the kids need guidance most. Cities need to step up on the afterschool and anti gang activities. Instead of cutting rec center hours and programs we need them to expand and bring in more kids who are on the cuff from good to bad.
It is so hard to pinpoint why gangs would rise. Yes the economy is bad but amongst the minorities it is known that the family bond is strong. Meaning that, darnit I lost my job and guess I am going to go stay with Momma. Personally I like Merton's Theory of Social Structure and Anomie. Merton goes on to explain that "an integrated society maintains a balance between social structure (approved social means) and culture (approved goals). Anomie is the form that societal malintegration takes when there is dissociation between valued cultural ends and legitimate societal means to those ends". Pretty much everyone wants a piece of the American way of life. If they are not able to meet those wants then they will find the means to get it. Agnew's General Strain Theory of Crime and Delinquency goes into detail and approaches the anomie at a social psychological perspective. Failure to achieve positively valued goods(blocked opportunities), removal of positively valued stimuli (loss of someone, challenged at school), and confrontation with negative stimuli (victimization, child abuse). Those are the two crime theories I like the best but social bond theory is also a good one.
There are several key reasons as to why gang member numbers are soaring. The influences of gangs have been growing over several years with media attention on them being ever increasing. Turf wars between different gangs are usually reported upon and the affect they are having on the communities where these gangs are situated. As a result, this gives gangs media attention that they can then use to recruit young people who are easily manipulated and are attracted to the life of a gang member (you will be feared, respected, protection by your fellow gang members). Also, it has been proven that gang influence is spreading beyond inner city areas, to rural areas and even areas that aren’t connected to social deprivation. Through media attention and also the marketing of gangs through internet sites and social media networks, you no longer have to live in an area densely populated with gangs to be vulnerable to their influences, and the internet now allows for gangs to market what they stand for as a way of recruiting beyond their immediate circle of influence. Authorities should focus their attention on internet campaigns by gangs to recruit new members, as the amount of people that are open to the information on these websites is a lot higher than in the areas where gangs are primarily situated.
I think the reason for increased gang members is complex multitude of reasons. Depressed current U.S. economic status, breakdown of family units, lack of postive male role models, glorification of gang roles by media, and the traditions of being a gang member in familes all play an important roles in increasing gang membership.
ReplyDeleteWhat I feel we need to increase focus on a means of preventing additional gang memberships by creating additional activites and programs for youth and for those who may be suffering currently because of the economic downturn.
There also needs to be increased gang diversion programs to train gang members for jobs and help to get them off the streets.
After reading about the gang numbers growing in San Bernanido, it leaves me to believe that we are not acting quickly enough with these people. What I mean by this is probably most gang members get started at an extremely young age and they just continue on into their adult life. Juveniles today are the way we can get ahold of all these gangs that get started, because if we start early enough with these kids that are acting in such violent ways then it can change their lives when they reach the adult years. Under seventeen is when they are considered juveniles and they have a different court system than the adults. They believe that bootcamps and things like shock probation will make a difference in their lives. No we have to start being so much sticter on these young kids and just trying to half way fix a problem will not slve anything. Most young kids go to events like these and when they get home they turn around and start doing the exact same thing. We need to go deep, look at the parents see if they are capable and right minded to be handeling these kids and keep them locked up longer versus giving them a lot more lenuncy than adults do. If they are going to commit crime just like adults they should be held just as accountable. People say that there to young and not mature enough to know what they are doing but there is no way that I would ever believe that. We spend numerous of tax dollars a year on criminals who have done the worst of the worst, to me its poitless to spend millions of dollars a year when we could invest in young adults to try to help them change so that we would not have this large amount of gangs.
ReplyDeleteYou do the numbers. Almost 13,000 gang members(as of 2007) and 16 specialized officers. These gang members are much smarter than are given credit. It is "strength in numbers". For every 5 gangsters taken off the streets, 10 more have already been recruited. The number of gang members are growing at a faster rate than they can be taken off the street. So whats next? They are put into the prison system which is the biggest advocator of gangs we have. They are thrown into a system where they are told to survive. What are the choices? To find security, protection and companionship, they again find "strength in numbers" and fall into prison gangs. It is a sad cycle that will never end until our currnet policies of early prevention and rehabilitation change.
ReplyDeleteAs I take my kids to school I look out the window and look at all the other children that have been waiting for a bus since before the sun rise because mom or dad which either one has them right know had to be at work and the kids are left to fend for themselves. it is sad I know i do this on my own but i do want my kids to know im there no matter i i work or go to school i will make sure i take them and pick them up for that time is bonding. Around 4 is when all the kids are let lose the have there homes to themselve since the mom and dads still at work i see them fighting and smokeing and runing around as if the had no head attach ed to them I fear for my kids to hang out side or even play i do belive that who our children play with will effect how they will act. i put the in sport and cross my finger this will help. The satate and city does not see that if you offer help to all children not just the one without the means to pay that yourteach the kids that everyone has a chance. I chose to go to school and live n a tight budget only because if i hold down a job i will pay my hole paycheck to childcare it is lik they would rather have us sitting on our butts doing nothing and the gov't support us because when we do go out and do better for ourselves we get denied help. The sad partis every one need health ins. but the cost is so much . If we knew there was a safe place that these children can go to while we work it would be nice but nowdays who can we trust you look at the news and see what happens everyday to our kids. I guess whn they say it take one to have a child and a village to raise it there right if we were all to work together and show them that threr is no diffrence between race and sex and money maybe one day we will not being seeing these kids getting killed for there shoe. ere is a idea why dont the retailers make thing more affordable to people so maybe the kids would want to steel them if tey knew that working and making 8 dollars would let them pay bills and take care of themseleves it mght lower the rate of people ganging up on other for what the have.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the other posters. There is no cut and dry answer to fixing this problem. I believe that young kids need to know that someone cares about them. There should be more mentoring programs for families that are at risk. We need to reach kids at a much younger age and give them somewhere to go and something to do so they feel like they are a part of something. There needs to be more positive police presence in the communitites so that kids and parents feel protected. After reading some of the books for Dr. Gullion's class, there is a common theme that police officers may or may not show up when they are called and often times are part of the problem. Kids no more trust the police than the police trust them.
ReplyDeleteAn increase in the funding and man-power of gang police officers needs to be invested in more. Scarce budgets have been an issue, and will only continue as time goes by, BUT that also means if the budget is cut for those specific officers then there will be an increase in gang activity (as they will have no one to regulate or control it). While the number of murder charges have decreased, the activity has risen within the gangs themselves, leaving citizens and neighbors in fear. I agree with the mention of "gang movement", a gang can up and move on to another territory, bringing the violence and activity to a new area.
ReplyDeleteWhen an individual has nothing else in life to keep him/her motivated in a positive way, they turn to whatever is there for their taking. There are many theories to help explain why certain individuals turn to a bond where they are respected and appreciated. This can steam from a lack in the social bonds or there learning through example (social learning). Unfortunately for some this can lead to a downward effect of hardships as they enter a "family hood" of their gang. I agree with jamf2a, on the importance of the media and it's role in the gang activity increase. Media (whether it be movies, books, TV shows), portrays gangs (gang roles) as normalcy and doesn't always give the complete picture of what a "gang " is.
Obviously, one of the main reasons as to why gang numbers have increased over the years is due to the economic status of the United States. Within gang life, gangsters find some form of brotherhood, or family, that will take care of them, and as a repayment for said protection, they do whatever it takes to maintain it. All that includes stealing, selling drugs, and so on. One can argue that there need to be programs going that will keep the kids off the streets and in a better environment, but let's think realistically for a second. Gang numbers are up and police enforcement is dwindling. Without any hard evidence, the police are unable to act on apprehending gangsters. As clearly stated in the article, it takes a while for the officers to attain the proof and put the gangsters in prison. Within that time period, new gangsters are being recruited at younger ages and, as a result, help the gangs grow in numbers making it increasingly difficult to maintain control of the problem. What can our law enforcement do to a child under the age of 7 in this country? Not much.
ReplyDeleteWe need more funding for the officers. More enforcement means more people working on catching gang members faster and more effectively. A very real dent would have the ability to be made in the gang numbers, as well as an impression. There would be progress in trying to lessen, and hopefully eliminating gang activity. However, that is an idealistic way to look at the matter, but whatever can be done should be done.
I think the reason for the increase in gang members is due to the environment that young children are raised in. Many children are raised around and influenced by existing gang members. Due to the lack of supervision and positive rolemodels in their life they have no choice but to look up to other gang members for guidance and ways to survive. Another reason the numbers are increasing may be because of punishments that are given to the young kids. For example if an older gang member get one of the younger kids (age 5-7) off the street to committ a crime there is no severe punishment given to the child. Gang members look at this as an advantage to them and will continue to repeat these type of crimes using the young kids because they know they can get away with it. Gang members will do what the people of authority allow them to do and will take advantage of it in any way that they can. I also do no think that there is enough law enforcement to really help stop the increase in gang members and crime. I think the law enforcement have alot of information about gangs but at the same time lack alot of information. Another reason for increased numbers of gang members is because they feel as though they have no choice and feel like it is the only way to live life. Low funds is another reason why there is an increase in gang members. The more money that the law have the more people they can get involved to help and increase research and different experiments to help eliminate gangs.
ReplyDeleteWell of course there is going to be an increase in gang member numbers for two big reasons, for one with the increase of illegal aliens coming into the U.S. and two the issues with poverty. Illegal aliens are coming and finding jobs that pay little to nothing keeping them in poverty, being in poverty they are surrounded with the thugs and low life’s of the world. This may not affect the parent(s) but it does affect the kids, as discussed in class gang members get little kids to do there dirty work like shooting other people. Its not like the child can go to jail, weather or not you think this is ethical gang members like the crips and the bloods get away with it. So it’s like getting away with murder one and recruiting for you click. But I digress from the issue at hand, as long as gangs fill the need of being wanted among people who are lonely this will continue. We all hang around people that make us feel wanted in some form or another, some people just chose gangs for their fulfillment. It also does not help the fact that we as a society seem to glorify the gangster life, so think about that the next time your watching a gang related move.
ReplyDeleteI am sure the economy has something to do with the increase in gang members, but not as much as one might think. When you have grown up in generational poverty it has always been hard-times. This socioeconomic group should be voted most likely to survive just fine though a depressed economic climate. Gangs can adapt and are very opportunistic. Not all gang members are complete idiots. Many are brilliant leaders and wonderful soldiers, although completely misguided. This brings me to my point and two of my favorite words, PREVENTION & REHABILITATION. I thought it strange that the only time the word prevention came up was in the last sentence of the article. I understand that society feels better about arresting the riff-raff and getting them off the street, but then what do you do with them? What about when they are released and have served their time and paid their debt to society? We must not lose sigth that these young men and women posess the greatest potential to effect change in their neighbor hoods. Have we provided them with the tools to make those changes while they were incarcerated and assured them the opportunities will be available for change once reintegrated? I hate to sound like a bleeding heart because those of you that know me know I am nothing of the sort, but what we are doing is not working. If we have to bear the costs of corrections, then shouldn’t we be correcting something and not punishing? Just a thought……
ReplyDeleteObviously all of the previous posts are all on the right track as to why the number of gang member has gone up so drastically. The uncontrollable status of our economy has a heavy weight upon why people in gangs or joining gangs are doing so. Being in a gang has its pros and cons, some of the biggest pros that help the people in gangs decided to join are; the money involved in it, having security from the group, and a sense of belonging to a family. The members of the gang are normally stuck in the lower class so they will jump on any opportunity to get the slightest bit ahead, moral or immorally. As to the topic of the number of cops to gang members, there’s no helping that. The number of people joining gangs is higher than people joining the force. Once a member is “terminated” there are more to replace his/her spot. Of course, each police station is doing what they can to help this situation, like what the cop said in the article; “Everything we do is proactive.” Every action taken by the cops against this growing, well for lack of better words, tragedy, is useful. There is no way to completely rid America of gang members unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteThe headline is intimidating. The statement that gangs are growing larger, increasing by 48% is just downright scary.
ReplyDeleteI was unaware that being identified as a gang member could add extra years in prison when a crime was committed to benefit a gang. But apparently discouraging crime out of fear of imprisonment has not worked.
California is also one of the states hit extremely hard by the economic downturn, so funding for anti- gang programs are being cut. But doesn’t a bad economy increase the likelihood of crime? Isn’t social disorganization an increase possibility when areas become more poverty stricken and family structure is broken? When family values are removed, differential association increases and doesn’t that increase the threat of criminal behavior? Which then leads to rational choice that gang action is justified because it weighs those “who have” against those “who have not”. And according to Travis Hirschi, the social control theory sets in, the attachment, commitment and belief in society is gone. Therefore they feel that the deviant path is their only recourse.
Could the answer be socialism- distribute the wealth so there is no poverty? That might eliminate Marxism and the Bourgeoisie verses the Proletariat theory, yet there would always be someone not happy with the division of wealth. Then crime would evolve again because of rational choice, “he has more than me, so I will just take a little of his” and the cycle begins again.
While reading this article, I was surprised by the comment made by Bobby Vega, "When I read the paper and see the high number of gangs, I'm like, `Where are they at? I don't see them,"'Is he living in a bubble? I understand that he views these statistics as mostly racial profiling but gangs are everywhere. As stated in the article, law enforcement if not allowed to label just anyone as a gang member. They must have proof of affiliation. Such as tattoos, specific colors, admitting their membership, or several other reasons.
ReplyDeleteThe economic status has a great impact on the rise in gang activity and membership. Poverty, less opportunities, resources, and lack of education are all main factors that lead individuals, especially young men to join gangs. Another serious factor is your surroundings and the environment you are raised in. The Social Learning theory is greatly associated with gang participation. Someone who is raised in a violent, unstable, gang related family is more likely to join a gang and participate in violent behavior than an individual raised in a more stable surrounding. Those individuals have been taught that way of living is the only way.
In order to help prevent the rise of gang memberships we need more resources, after school programs, counselors, and more interaction at school and with families. These young adults need more attention and assurance that everyone wants the best for them and their future.
San Bernadino has a long history of gangs and gang related issues. The Hells Angels originated there in the late 1940’s after WWII. San Bernadino County is the largest county in the United States. I feel that the hard economic times that our country is facing has contributed to the rise in gang membership in San Bernadino.
ReplyDeleteMy father worked at the small airport in San Bernadino for approximately 2 weeks in October of 2008. He stated that the city was at the base of some deserty mountains and observed that the prices for houses were enormously over inflated and people were struggling economically. He
said that the rumor he heard going around by the other workers was that “they were moving to
Dallas where work was easier to find.” However, in another sense, some of the gangs in Los Angeles might have moved to San Bernadino where new gang prospects were easier to find and an area with a smaller police presence.
I think the reason gang members have increased is due to the state of the economy, a sense of belonging and the glorification of gangs. The economy plays a major role because the environment that most of the gangs are formed is stricken with poverty. Most of the gang members either dropped out of school or didn't go to school because they could not afford a decent education. They need to find away to make survive and make money so they join a gang.They feel that society has given up on them so by joining a gang they achieve that sense of belonging. They can find brotherhood and protection within in a gang. They are somebody now. gangs have been glorified in movies, music, TV, and the kids see this and they want to join.
ReplyDeleteThe Vice Lords tried to fix there act and change the community of Chicago for the better. It was working for awhile, but one gunshot ruined it all. if there was a away to rehabilitate the gang members and show them they could have a positive impact on their community then maybe we could see a decrease in gangs.
Well! I can sit here and say like everyone else its because of the economy, no father figure,and positive role model. In reality, it more to it than those excuses I believe that it a business and a profit sharing by people in high places to take advantage of these individuals. It's a revolving door in the Prison system to continue to foster such activities in our communities. Why have not there been any type of communities, states, and federal jobs created for our youth to foster them skills and experience to lead them in productive manner. Its just to common to say it because of the economy, role model,and no father figure...the problem is behind the close doors where people have the power to open up other avenues.
ReplyDeleteI agree that in order to (or at least help) prevent growing numbers of gang membership is to start with the youth. I think more school programs educating the youth about the dangers of being involved in a gang would be effective with the younger kids. As for the older kids and teens, I think more after school programs that keep them entertained but also keep them working together would work the best. I think most schools are acting like gangs are not a problem with today's youth when in reality it is a huge problem. So instead of shying away from the growing number of gang members, we should face it head on and work towards prevention and be less worried about reaction.
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ReplyDeleteLet me see, we have a decrease in economic standards in America, an increase in the number of 2 income families to try and counteract this, an increase in the type of programming our children are exposed to on the TV and the internet and a turn towards standardized education that eliminates the teachers need to know their students, I wonder why there is an increase in the number of gang members. Although this article was deleted from the webpage, I have read it. As we all know gangs will move into areas of low crime and drug rates in order to spread their deviance, there for the local police departments should have been prepared. I am beginning to see a trend here, whereas although many local police departments feel they are trained in handling and deterring gang activity, they are not trained in looking for the areas that will be subject to future activity. Seriously 16 officers for a gang task force, I think we have more than that out here and we only have 20 officers on the force period. Most of the departments are concentrating on the current situations and not looking toward the future. It is like the small town force that has 4 officers to cover the 20 mile area of town with a population of 1000 and all of the sudden a large cooperation moves in to the area and more people are moving in, crime is going to increase because this town was not ready for a population explosion. They did not look towards the future and budget for more officers.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the article on how much gang membership has soared in San Bernadino County, the initial statement that comes to mind is WOW! But what can we do to deter the increase in gang membership everywhere? Gang membership is increasing quicker than law enforcement. Yes we need additional law enforcement officers but we know funding is a problem. I believe more inner city youth prevention programs should be implemented. With the current economic crisis over the past several years, I wonder might this have anything to to do with the increase in membership? I believe and increase in arrest will create a vacuum effect, although when on one is arrested and shut down, another takes its place. This seems to be a continuous never-ending cycle. We need to make changes to redirect the phrase, "we are a product of our environment", because I'm living proof it can be accomplished.
ReplyDeletethere is many reasons to why the gang numbers are rising. some people just want to make money in this economy which is hard with a regular job and they would rather make money either by selling drugs or stealing money only because they feel that is not wrong its just what they grew up with. Also most gangsters do drugs and most jobs they could have wouldnt be able to support thier habbit.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up is hard enough without compounding the issue with poverty, no education, and or a disconnect to your family. With the fractured family lives today it is no wonder kids are trying to find what they are missing in feeling connected. With Mom and Dad both chasing after that golden ring in their careers, the home life is the leftovers of their daily energy. A child is lucky to have the presence of both parents in the home; however in these depressed economic times the adult may not always be in the best mood, which often leads to abuse of the weaker dwellers. If a need is left unfulfilled in the home they will look elsewhere. The gangs hold an acceptance to all who prove themselves worthy. After looking on line and Googling a few of the gang-sites it is understandable to the innocent how they would be drawn in. The Mexican Mafia, born in the L.A. prison system, glorifies and is proud of the fact that they are feared. Tookie a CRIP member snapped out of it in time to get a few books for kids published, to try and keep them from making the same mistakes he made in his youth, before he was executed.
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with the last couple comments above, we can sit back and name all the leads and expected problems that leads children/adolescents to join gangs and for the rapid climb in gang members, but are we getting involved in stopping or preventing them from joining?
ReplyDeleteI read this article and it breaks my heart to know that I grew up in these streets of San Bernardino as a teenager and saw the gangs then, claimed colors, had a SET of friends, and been to numerous funerals related to driveby shootings or gang fights, all for the love of nothing, emptiness. But as I got older and with the help of church leaders and older OGs that looked out for my future and those other youngsters I was around, my family made a wise choice to move me out of that neighborhood. I was fortunate, but not all will be as fortunate to have those same blessings. Why do the numbers of gangs climb? Because gangs are who children that don't know any better run too, because that's who they turn too for safety and shelter, when they are bored and need something economically, the streets is who children turn to first, it's always available 24/7, 365 days. Show of example plays another big role as well, Military, who is suppose to be of law enforement, get twisted up and pose a threat to officials and national security and when these adolescents see things such as gang activities in the military increasing they tend to think that joining a gang is just as equal as joining the military, to serve and protect. So just as it's easy to sit back and name all the reasons and signs of why children join gangs, we should just as easily take action in preventing and getting involved with activites, resources, media, city and state officials to direct their (children/adolescents) attention away from the streets and into more productive paths.
there needs to be a few things done in order to stop gang violence. first more officers need to be trained on identifing gangs and gang violence and trained in dealing with gang violence. secondly parents need to start taking a more active role in their childrens lives, giving birth doesnt make you a parent taking care of a child does, teaching them right from wrong, what is good and what is bad, that makes a parent among other things. teaching your children how to be a productive member of society is another example of what needs to be done in order to stop gang violence and recruitment. Something else is maybe making products more affordable for the working class people, so parents dont have to work 3 jobs to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads, or if that is unrealistic how about more after school programs to get the kids involved in something constructive instead of destructive.
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ReplyDeleteWith our economy in such bad shape, the situation is only going to get worse. Why are there gangs? The reasons are countless. We live in a sham American dream society for many of our disadvantaged youths. They have no future, and they know it. Many of them come from extreme poverty and broken homes. There is no father in their lives. The gang becomes their family. Our criminal justice system is not built to solve the problem. An adversarial approach only makes matters worse, in an environment where young men are just struggling to survive. If you try to break a young man, how will he react? They will be broken, or they will fight back. Neither way is the way to go forward and the problem will only get worse until our societal ills are resolved.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, we can take an understanding approach. We need to try and solve some of the problems young men face in the inner city, as well as in the middle class suburbs. As with all the other topics discussed on CJB, there needs to be a cultural change in our society, before the problems with gangs can be resolved. The rich get off and the poor do time. When injustice in our society is not reconciled and when equality under the law is just a word, is it any wonder that some among us decide to write their own rules? Those in power are above the law. They write the laws to protect their own self- interests and to keep others in their place. As Bobby Vega said “we don’t get to define ourselves, we’re not the dominate culture”.
I think that although there are many reasons for a person to become a gang member, the most reason would probably be because they feel that they have no other option. Many of these gang member come from broken homes, abusive homes, or some no homes at all. These gangs gives them everything that they have ever wanted love, family, warm place to stay, food, acceptance, and a safe place to stay. If you were a homeless child or being beaten every time that you breath at home, selling drugs and pulling a trigger for your family does not seem so bad of a price to pay. As long as children are born into these situations and as long as there are gangs out there that are going to take advantage of these situations, there is not a way to stop gangs from growing and spreading throughout the United States.
ReplyDeleteThere are many reasons why the number of gang members is growing, but I do believe that the # 1 reason is due to the lack of responsibility from the parents. We have parents who have two or even three jobs, never home and have absolutely no idea what their kids are getting into while their gone. The environment that they grow in have a lot to do with how the manage their life’s.
ReplyDeleteRemember we have gangs who are now recruiting online, easy access? Call it whatever you want, but I believe that if parents were a little more involve with their children, they can probably stop this from happening.
The growing gang problem can only be solved if we address it from several different fronts. The first place to correct this problem is the reconstruction of our education system. Kids need to have better teachers who can afford to spend the time that their students require. Once children are receiving the knowledge they need in class, they can then use it with the intelligence they are given at home. Parents who encourage their children to go to college and stay out of trouble are much less likely to join a gang. With positive influences from home and school, a child is well on their way to a successful life. A third way to prevent the growth of gangs is the division of inmates in the prison system. The mixing of violent and nonviolent inmates in prisons has led to an increase in gang members. "Punks" (passive inmates) try to avoid their label by joining a gang that provides them with protection. Meaning that many nonviolent convicts are forced into gang activity, so that they may survive in prison without constant physical and psychological abuse. Lastly, gang numbers can diminish by revamping the rehabilitation programs inside of the correctional facilities. If gangsters are given an education (coupled with counseling and positive emotional outlets [religion, yoga, etc)] in prison, than they can have the opportunity to change their lifestyle and make a positive impact of the community.
ReplyDeleteDelvin: I agree with your second point that poverty is a contributing factor in gang membership. But immigration is not the only reason for soaring gang numbers. Yes, America is an ethnic melting pot, so, naturally, our gangs tend to be divided on the lines of color. But in different nations, we see gangs with the same color who feud with each other. Even if we set aside different countries, it appears that you are making the argument that only immigrants contribute to the gang problem. This premise completely falls apart if you consider white gangs like the Aryan Brotherhood, Dead man, or the Hells Angels.
ReplyDeleteSo many reasons why gang numbers are soaring really. Naturally look at our country right now, what does a kid have to aspire to? Working hard, getting and education and still having nothing to show for yourself? How exciting that looks to a kid. Education needs to change, I work in the schools and I see how the middle schoolers think being gangsta is so cool. We need to do something to change that. We need parental involvement past the early elementary years. Even in areas that have huge parental involvement in elementary that drops off in middle school which is the time the kids need guidance most. Cities need to step up on the afterschool and anti gang activities. Instead of cutting rec center hours and programs we need them to expand and bring in more kids who are on the cuff from good to bad.
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard to pinpoint why gangs would rise. Yes the economy is bad but amongst the minorities it is known that the family bond is strong. Meaning that, darnit I lost my job and guess I am going to go stay with Momma. Personally I like Merton's Theory of Social Structure and Anomie. Merton goes on to explain that "an integrated society maintains a balance between social structure (approved social means) and culture (approved goals). Anomie is the form that societal malintegration takes when there is dissociation between valued cultural ends and legitimate societal means to those ends". Pretty much everyone wants a piece of the American way of life. If they are not able to meet those wants then they will find the means to get it. Agnew's General Strain Theory of Crime and Delinquency goes into detail and approaches the anomie at a social psychological perspective. Failure to achieve positively valued goods(blocked opportunities), removal of positively valued stimuli (loss of someone, challenged at school), and confrontation with negative stimuli (victimization, child abuse). Those are the two crime theories I like the best but social bond theory is also a good one.
ReplyDeleteThere are several key reasons as to why gang member numbers are soaring. The influences of gangs have been growing over several years with media attention on them being ever increasing. Turf wars between different gangs are usually reported upon and the affect they are having on the communities where these gangs are situated. As a result, this gives gangs media attention that they can then use to recruit young people who are easily manipulated and are attracted to the life of a gang member (you will be feared, respected, protection by your fellow gang members). Also, it has been proven that gang influence is spreading beyond inner city areas, to rural areas and even areas that aren’t connected to social deprivation. Through media attention and also the marketing of gangs through internet sites and social media networks, you no longer have to live in an area densely populated with gangs to be vulnerable to their influences, and the internet now allows for gangs to market what they stand for as a way of recruiting beyond their immediate circle of influence. Authorities should focus their attention on internet campaigns by gangs to recruit new members, as the amount of people that are open to the information on these websites is a lot higher than in the areas where gangs are primarily situated.
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