Adam Socha/FGCU/Prevalence of gangs

Gangs have become an increasingly important issue in today’s society. The police’s definition of a gang is: “A group of individuals, juvenile and or adult, who associate on a continuous basis, form an allegiance for a common purpose, and are involved in delinquent or criminal activity.” (Retrieved November 16, 2009 Website: www.geocities.com/Athens/4111/nogangs.html).  Unfortunately, the mentality of some kids and teenagers is to think and believe that gang life is cool, fun, and indeed a way of life. Either they are peer pressured to join or they individually choose to join. When they join the gangs they are forced to be involved in illegal activities such as homicides, robberies, burglaries, drive by shootings, selling drugs, etc.Although the prevalence of gangs has been around for along time, it became more of an issue during the 20^th century. Back in the 19^th century, gangs were mostly confined to big cities that had ample infrastructure and highway systems so that they can carry on their illegal operations in an efficient manner. But during the 20^th century, suburbs that used to be lacking in infrastructure and effective highway systems are now being built up with many amenities to help support the gangs. To gangs, better infrastructure and highway systems mean more places to hide and more easily accessible escape routes. Suburbs are a place where many families live and raise their children. Unfortunately, innocent families with children are not the only inhabitants of the area. Gangs are now operating and even living in suburbs. This subject matter requires crucial attention and this problem needs to be taken seriously to ensure safety to citizens. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the prevalence of gangs. Having more police presence is one way to reduce gangs. By having more police patrolling the neighborhoods creates a presence that will deter crime. Knowing that police are near by, gangs will think twice before doing any kind of illegal activity. The presence of police is a major deterrent of crime. A very important way to reduce gangs is to have common sense. If we keep our houses unlocked, cars unlocked, and valuables items in sight, then we are luring the criminals. It is like bait, if we put it out there then it will attract the criminals and they will take the bait. Other ways to reduce gangs is to have better participation by the community and to create gang awareness. If the community actively participates, it helps to create a more organized and safe community. Being more supportive with the local law enforcement and cooperating with the police in investigations will help to solve many crimes so that the community will become a safer place. By creating gang awareness we citizens can have more knowledge about the gangs and what they do. As to draw a conclusion, it can be noted that the prevalence and organization of gangs have become a problem in our society. It is crucial that we try to educate the youth and prevent them from joining the perilous lifestyle of the gangs.

(Retrieved November 16, 2009. Website: www.geocities.com/Athens/4111/nogangs.html).

( McCollum, Bill.
Florida Gang Reduction Strategy 2008-2012. Office of the Attorney General Bill McCollum iv-v).

This entry was posted on 16. November 2009 at 17:34 and is filed under Social Problems. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.