Gang Interventions

Gang Joining Dynamics

In 1996 research, gang joining dynamics were described as consisting of both "pulls" and "pushes" for youth. Pulls pertain to the attractiveness of the gang. Some view gang membership as enhancing their prestige or status among friends, and joining a gang provides opportunities to be with them. Gangs provide other attractive opportunities such as excitement, selling drugs, and making money.

Strategies for Gang Interventions

Strategies for combating gang violence generally start with a twofold strategy.

Gang Definitions and Uniform Reporting

There are many different gang definitions among jurisdictions at the state and local levels. Lacking a standardized definition makes it difficult to have a common discussion on gang issues and contributes to the complexity of quantifying the nature and extent of the gang problem. NAGIA (National Alliance of Gang Investigators Association) recommends the following definition of the term "gang":

You've probably heard about the dangers of gang violence. Adolescents may be tempted to join a gang when parents are too busy to give their children the attention and positive reinforcement they need. Children might meet a "cool" group of friends who offer them everything they seem to be missing at home. For many youngsters, joining a gang is like joining a family. A gang offers them support, belonging, order, caring, and a sense of purpose.