CRJS 2009 Chapter Notes - Chapter 11: Operational Definition, Homicide
12 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
Wide (cid:448)a(cid:396)iety of (cid:862)ga(cid:374)gs(cid:863: youth gangs, street gangs, delinquent gangs, prison gangs, taggers, skinheads, bikers, stoners, punk groups, terrorists. Group has more three or more members generally aged 12-24. Members share an identity, typically linked to a name and often other symbols. Members view themselves as a gang and are recognized by others as a gang. Group has some permanence and a degree of organization. Group is involved in an elevated level of criminal activity. Gang motive definition: more stringent; there must be evidence that gang membership or gang activity was the motive for the homicide. Possibility of underestimating or overestimating gang membership has serious consequences on resource allocation, as well as on public fear of crime. Importance of a uniform consistent definition of the gang problem has political consequences: many jurisdictions deny there is a gang problem in their community for political and social reasons.
