Gangs and Drugs Study Notes

Chapter Outline

• Introduction

• Gangs

• Hispanic Gangs

• Female Gangs

• Indian Country Gangs

• Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs

• National Gangs

• Gang-Related Issues

• Drug Enforcement

• Focus on Drugs and Alcohol: Some Definitions

• Drug Legislation

• Alcohol-Related Offenses

• Solutions to Drug and Alcohol Abuse

• Drug Testing of Police Officers

• Gangs and Drugs

• Summary

Objectives

After completion of this chapter, you should be able to:

• Discuss the history of gangs.

• Identify the role gangs play in the community.

• Understand why individuals join gangs.

• Identify the role that gangs play in crime.

• Discuss the problems that face our society as a result of drugs and alcohol.

• Distinguish between the crimes of possession, possession for sale, and sale of controlled substances.

• List the different types of alcohol-related crimes.

Introduction

• This chapter will cover the interrelation between gangs and illegal substance abuse.

• Gangs are frequently involved in the illicit drug trade, both as users and distributors.

• Patrol officers deal with gangs and substance abuse regularly.

• Criminal street gangs are involved in a variety of crimes beyond drug-related offenses, including:

  • Vandalism

  • Auto theft

  • Assault

  • Drive-by shootings

  • Human trafficking

  • Robbery

  • Murder

Gangs

• Membership in gangs is expanding, presenting significant threats to community safety in the United States.

• The FBI states that many active gangs are sophisticated networks engaged in violent and large-scale drug distribution.

• Gangs contribute to nearly 50% of violent crimes in several jurisdictions, particularly in major cities.

• Definition of a Criminal Gang:

  • A group of individuals (three or more) who engage in illegal activities and identify themselves through common names, signs, symbols, tattoos, graffiti, or distinct styles of dress.

Criteria for Identifying Gang Members

• Criteria for documenting an individual as a gang member typically includes:

  • Admission of membership to law enforcement.

  • Arrest while committing a crime with known gang members.

  • Identification as a gang member by reliable informants.

  • Known association with documented gang members.

  • Displaying gang symbols or hand signs.

  • Presence in areas frequented by gangs.

  • Wearing clothing specific to a gang.

  • Possessing gang-related tattoos.

• Gangs have transformed from local organizations into international criminal entities, often engaging in:

  • Alien smuggling

  • Human trafficking

  • White-collar crimes (e.g., identity theft, mortgage fraud)

Statistics on Gangs

• Approximately 1.5 million gang members in the U.S. belong to around 33,000 gangs.

• Gang membership increased by approximately 40% in recent years.

Reasons Youth Join Gangs

• A sense of belonging and family, often filling a void left by unstable home environments.

• Influences include:

  • Association with drugs and firearms.

  • Delinquent peers.

Vulnerable Youth Characteristics

• Factors contributing to youth risk for gang involvement:

  • Broken homes

  • Relationship with law enforcement

  • Low academic performance

  • Substance abuse

  • Early violent behavior

Regional Variations in Gangs

• Larger cities have more organized and long-standing gangs involved in serious crimes, compared to smaller cities.

  • Types of Gangs by Region:

  • Southeast/Midwest: Delinquent gangs, less organized.

  • Western States: Violent gangs prevalent.

  • Northeast: Income-generating gangs, particularly drug-related.

Anti-Gang Tactics

• Various communities adopt differing anti-gang strategies, including:

  • Mediation

  • Situational crime prevention

  • Family involvement

• Strategies more effective when combined with intervention programs addressing economic opportunities and education.

Anti-Gang Legislation

• While traditional criminal laws apply, some state statutes specifically targeting gang activity have been enacted since the 1960s, such as:

  • Possession of weapons on school property.

  • Discharging firearms from vehicles.

  • Penalties for gang-related crimes near schools or parks.

Gang Prosecution and Legislation

Federal Statutes

• RICO Act and CCE statutes target conspiratorial activities of gangs, requiring evidence of multiple criminal acts by gang members.

• Advantages of prosecutions under RICO include presenting a full scope of gang activities rather than focusing on isolated crimes.

• Establishing predicate acts in RICO prosecutions can include drug distribution, fraud, theft, among others.

Clark County Gang Prosecution Unit

• Employs an integrated approach for handling gang-related cases, enhancing communication between various law enforcement agencies and community organizations.

• Implements initiatives such as:

  • Gang offender tracking systems

  • Vertical prosecution for consistency

  • Monitoring parole and probation conditions for gang members.

Hispanic Gangs

Overview

• Hispanic gangs have a long-standing presence and have undergone changes due to drug wars and transnational influences post-1990.

Key Hispanic Gangs

• Sur 13:

  • Originated in California; identifies with the Mexican Mafia and uses the number 13.

  • More cohesive in Southern California but conflicts with rival gangs like MS-13.

• MS-13:

  • Primarily El Salvadoran; formed for protection against dominant Mexican gangs in Los Angeles.

  • Engaged heavily in drug distribution and violence.

• 18th Street:

  • Mixed race gang that has expanded nationwide; known for recruiting in schools.

• Latin Kings:

  • Established in the 1960s in Chicago; operates regional factions with significant drug activities.

Distinguishing Between Gangs

• Important for law enforcement to identify differences, given the similarities in identifiers among different gangs.

Female Gangs

• Increasing involvement of women in gangs; roles evolving from support to active participation in crimes.

• Females often engage in:

  • Drug transportation

  • Assaults

  • Prostitution

Indian Country Gangs

• Gangs are emerging on reservations, primarily involving youth aged 12-24.

• Activities tend to revolve around group cohesiveness and may emulate Hispanic or mainstream gangs.

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs)

• Traditional OMGs have existed for more than 50 years, heavily involved in violent criminal activities.

Major OMGs

• Include:

  • Hell’s Angels

  • Bandidos

  • Outlaws

  • Pagans

• Notable for involvement in:

  • Murder

  • Assault

  • Drug trafficking

National Gangs

• Crips:

  • Founded in LA in the late 1960s; characterized by a loose structure with various subgroups.

• Bloods:

  • Formed as a reaction to Crips; distinguishable by the color red and various tattoos.

• Skinheads:

  • White supremacist gangs associated with hate crimes and violence.

Gang-Related Issues

Gangs and the Military

• Military installations have seen gang recruitment, posing a significant risk as these members transfer skills to criminal activities.

Technology in Gangs

• Gangs use social media and online communication to coordinate activities, increase recruitment, and avoid detection.

Summary (continued)

• The chapter continues to explore the role of gangs in drug distribution and related crimes up to page 347, detailing various case studies and statistics that highlight the impact of gang activities on communities.

Further Topics

• Explores the influence of socio-economic factors on gang recruitment and retention.

• Discusses the intersection of gang violence and community policing efforts addressing gang-related issues.

• Provides more in-depth analysis on the effectiveness of legislative measures and community programs aimed at reducing gang influence.

• Reviews data on the evolving nature of gang involvement in drug trafficking and violence, particularly in changing political landscapes.

• Concludes with strategies for intervention, community resilience, and rebuilding trust between law enforcement and communities affected by gang violence.