National Gang Center Essay

According to National Gang Center, “ more than 30,000 gangs represents a 15 percent increase from 2006 and is the highest annual estimate since 1996 (www.nationalgangcenter.gov need to find date).” National Gang Center point is about how gangs have increased throughout the years. A gang is a group of youngsters or adolescents who associate closely, often exclusively, for social reasons, especially such a group engaging in delinquent behavior. Gangs can be organized based upon race, ethnicity, territory, or money making activities. Gang members can be aged between 8 to 22 years old. The first gang like group emerged after the american revolution that ended in 1783. Between 1996 and 2008, gang members were more likely to be Hispanic/Latino and

Some of the most well known gangs in the U.S. are the crips and the bloods but then yet again there are many more gangs out there. It all starts with small gang groups and eventually starts to attracts members to join and start to take over large sections of the cities. There is many ways to identify a gang. For example tattoos, clothing, graffiti, jewelry and weapons. Tattoos can have a meaning to them that can represent who they are and what they are about. Gang clothing styles can be easily detected because of the specific way gang members wear their clothing but yet again they may change it up so people can not tell if they are a gang member. They may prefer expensive brands such as shoes, pants or shirts. Graffiti can be another sign and it is when a member claims their territory or to advertise the gang’s status or power and to declare their own allegiance to the gang. Jewelry is also a way to identify a gang or a gang member, it can be expensive and they often wear gold chains or large earrings to show that they have money and are capable to buy expensive things. Lastly it would be weapons, they can be wearing or carrying spiked wristbands, knives, and guns (http://www.lapdonline.org/