Why Do People Join Gangs

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1. According to your book, what's a good definition for the term gangs? “The National Alliance of Gang Investigators’ Associations (NAGIA) defines a gang as “a group or association of three or more persons with a common identifying sign, symbol, or name who individually or collectively engage in criminal activity that creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation” (Hess, 2013, Pg 201). NAGIA is a good example of a definition because it defines a gang as three or more individuals, identifying what monikers they use or what they are associate with; and shows what kind of criminal activities gangs take part in or what tactics they use.

2. Please list and describe the main reasons that people join gangs. Be sure to give at least three reasons. …show more content…

Wealth- Youths join gangs for economic support and security. Giving them financial benefits in the real world.

3. Please investigate the gangs that are on the North Shore. List the gangs and the community they are found in. Also, please list and describe the problems they cause.

Crips- Lynn Massachusetts gang that is commonly associated with assault, theft, drive by shooting, homicide, identification fraud, robbery, and extortion.

Bloods- Lynn Massachusetts gang that is commonly associated with assault, theft, drive by shooting, homicide, identification fraud, robbery, and extortion. Additionally, they are “also are involved in transporting and distributing methamphetamine, heroin, and PCP, but to a much lesser extent” (Drugs and Crime, February 2003, U.S. Department of Justice).

Latin Kings- Gang based in Lynn Massachusetts, involve in drugs or narcotics, weapons, extortion, assaults, intimidation, beatings, stabbing, shootings, murder and graffiti.

Deuce Boyz- Gang based in Lynn Massachusetts, may include “alien smuggling, human trafficking, and prostitution. Gangs are also engaging in white-collar crime such as counterfeiting, identity theft, and mortgage fraud, primarily due to the high profitability and much lower visibility and risk of detection and punishment than drug and weapons trafficking” (Criminal Street Gangs, 2011, National Gang Threat

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