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{{Short description|Associative criminal group}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Redirect-multi|3|Street gang|Crime gang|Gang culture|the Sesame Street book|Street Gang{{!}}''Street Gang''|similar terms|Criminal gang (disambiguation){{!}}criminal gang|the Ice-T album|Gang Culture (album){{!}}''Gang Culture'' (album)}}
{{Pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Globalize|article|United States|date=January 2024}}
[[File:Apachesvspolicebastille.jpg|thumb|A [[Street fighting|street level rumble]] of [[Apaches (subculture)|Apache gang members]] battling [[Paris Police Prefecture|Parisian Police officers]] en masse on 14 August 1904]]
A '''gang''' is a [[social group|group]] or [[secret society|society]] of associates, friends, or members of a [[crime family|family]] with a defined [[leadership]] and internal organization that identifies with or claims control over [[Wiktionary:territory#Noun|territory]] in a [[community]] and engages, either individually or [[group behavior|collectively]], in [[Crime|illegal]], and possibly [[Violence|violent]], behavior, with such behavior often constituting a form of [[organized crime]].

== Etymology ==
The word ''gang'' derives from the [[past participle]] of [[Old English]] {{lang|ang|gan}}, meaning {{gloss|to go}}. It is [[cognate]] with [[Old Norse]] {{lang|non|gangr}},<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=gang&searchmode=none |title=gang |work=Online Etymology Dictionary |author=Douglas Harper}}</ref> meaning {{gloss|journey}}.<ref>Cleasby/Vigfusson ''An Icelandic-English Dictionary'' (1874); [http://lexicon.ff.cuni.cz/html/oi_cleasbyvigfusson/b0191.html GÖNGUDRYKKJA – GARÐR]</ref> While the term often refers specifically to criminal groups, it also has a broader meaning of any close or organized group of people, and may have neutral, positive or negative [[connotation]]s depending on usage.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.dictionary.com/browse/gang|work=dictionary.com|title=Gang}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/hi-gang-used-with-friends.3058012/|title=Hi, gang! (used with friends)|work=wordreference.com|date=18 August 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/joepublic/2011/nov/10/gangs-good-society-youth-crime|work=theguardian.com|title=Gangs are good for society|author=Caspar Walsh|date=10 November 2011}}</ref>

==History==
In discussing the [[banditry]] in American history, [[Barrington Moore, Jr.]] suggests that gangsterism as a "form of self-help which victimizes others" may appear in societies which lack strong "forces of [[Law and order (politics)|law and order]]"; he characterizes European [[feudalism]] as "mainly gangsterism that had become society itself and acquired respectability through the notions of [[chivalry]]".<ref>
{{cite book
| last                  = Moore
| first                 = Barrington
| author-link            = Barrington Moore
| title                 = Social origins of dictatorship and democracy: Lord and peasant in the making of the modern world<!--
| access-date            = 2012-12-13-->
| orig-year              = 1966
| date                  = March 1967
| publisher             = Beacon Press
| location              = Boston
| page                  = 214
| quote                 = Gangsterism is likely to crop up wherever the forces of law and order are weak. European feudalism was mainly gangsterism that had become society itself and acquired respectability through the notions of chivalry. As the rise of feudalism out of the decay of the Roman administrative system shows, this form of self-help which victimizes others is in principle opposed to the workings of a sound bureaucratic system.
}}
</ref>

The 17th century saw London "terrorized by a series of organized gangs",<ref>
{{cite book |last=Howell |first=James C. |title=Gangs in America's Communities |publisher=Sage | url= https://archive.org/details/gangsinamericasc0000howe |url-access=registration|isbn=978-1412979535 |year=2012 }}
</ref>
some of them known as the Mims, Hectors, Bugles, and Dead Boys. These gangs often came into conflict with each other. Members dressed "with colored ribbons to distinguish the different factions."<ref>
{{cite book |last=Howell |first=James C. |title=Gangs in America's Communities |publisher=Sage|url= https://archive.org/details/gangsinamericasc0000howe |url-access=registration|isbn=978-1412979535 |year=2012 }}
</ref> During the [[Victorian era]], criminals and gangs started to form organizations which would collectively become London's criminal underworld.<ref name="Victoria 1">{{cite web|url=http://surrey-shore.freeservers.com/VicCrime.htm|title=Menace, Mayhem, and Morality! Crime in Victorian London |publisher=Surrey Shores|author=Barton, William A.}}</ref> Criminal societies in the underworld started to develop their own ranks and groups which were sometimes called ''families'', and were often made up of lower-classes and operated on [[Pickpocketing|pick-pocketry]], [[prostitution]], [[forgery]] and [[counterfeit]]ing, commercial [[burglary]], and [[money laundering]] schemes.<ref name="Victoria 1"/><ref name="Victoria 2">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/books/article/The-Victorian-Roots-of-Organized-Crime-2954000.php|title=The Victotian Underworld |newspaper=SF Gate|author=Thomas, Donald}}</ref> Unique also were the use of [[slang]]s and argots used by Victorian criminal societies to distinguish each other, like those propagated by street gangs like the [[Peaky Blinders]].<ref name="Halls">{{cite news|url=http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/peaky-blinders-real-story|work=GQ|title=The Peaky Blinders are a romanticised myth|last=Halls|first=Eleanor|access-date=30 December 2017}}</ref><ref name="Peak">{{cite news|author=Larner, Tony|title=When Peaky Blinders Ruled Streets with Fear|work=Sunday Mercury|date= 1 August 2010|page= 14}}</ref>

In the United States, the history of gangs began on the East Coast in 1783 following the [[American Revolution]].<ref>
{{cite book |last=Howell |first=James C. |title=Gangs in America's Communities |publisher=Sage |url=https://archive.org/details/gangsinamericasc0000howe |url-access=registration |quote=gangs in america's communities. |isbn=978-1412979535 |year=2012 }}
</ref> Gangs arose further in the [[United States]] by the middle of the nineteenth century and were a concern for city leaders from the time they appeared.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Encyclopedia of the City|last=Caves|first=R. W.|publisher=Routledge|year=2004|pages=279}}</ref> The emergence of the gangs was largely attributed to the vast rural population immigration to the urban areas. The first street-gang in the United States, the [[Forty Thieves (New York gang)|40 Thieves]], began around the late 1820s in [[New York City]]. The gangs in [[Washington D.C.]] had control of what is now [[Federal Triangle]], in a region then known as [[Murder Bay]].<ref>Savage, ''Monument Wars: Washington, D.C., the National Mall, and the Transformation of the Memorial Landscape'', 2009, pp. 100–101; Gutheim and Lee, p. 73; Lowry, pp. 61–65; Evelyn, Dickson, and Ackerman, pp. 63–864.</ref>  Organized crime in the United States first came to prominence in the [[Old West]] and historians such as Brian J. Robb and Erin H. Turner traced the first organized crime syndicates to the [[Cochise County Cowboys|Coschise Cowboy Gang]] and the [[Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch|Wild Bunch]].<ref>Robb, Brian J. ''A Brief History of Gangsters''. Running Press (2015). Chapter 1: Lawlessness in the Old West. {{ISBN|978-0762454761}}</ref><ref>Turner, Erin H. ''Badasses of the Old West: True Stories of Outlaws on the Edge''. TwoDot (2009). p. 132. {{ISBN|978-0762754663}}</ref> [[Prohibition]] would also cause a new boom in the emergence of gangs; [[Chicago]] for example had over 1,000 gangs in the 1920s.<ref>
[https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/225308/gang Gang (crime)]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica.''
</ref>

Outside of the US and the UK, gangs exist in both urban and rural forms, like the French gangs of the [[Belle Époque]] like the [[Apaches (subculture)|Apaches]] and the [[Bonnot Gang]].<ref name=blom>[[Philipp Blom]], ''The Vertigo Years: Europe, 1900–1914'', 2008, {{ISBN|0786726709}},  [https://books.google.com/books?id=-3G9gMNCpowC&pg=PA372 p. 372]</ref> Many criminal organizations, such as the Italian [[Cosa Nostra]], Japanese [[yakuza]], Russian [[Bratva]], and Chinese [[triad (organized crime)|triads]], have existed for centuries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2014/09/14/biggest-organized-crime-groups-in-the-world/|title=Fortune 5: The Biggest Organized Crime Groups in the World|website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]|author=Luna, Keri}} July 31, 2010</ref>

==Types==
[[File:Marasalvatrucha13.png|thumb|A [[Mara Salvatrucha]] gang member with a tattoo showing his gang membership]]
Gangs, syndicates, and other criminal groups, come in many forms, each with their own specialties and gang culture.<ref name="Types">{{cite web|url=https://www.carmichaellegal.com/organized-crime-and-gangs|title=Organized Crime and Gangs |website=Carmichael Ellis & Brock, PLLC|author=Lawlytics}}</ref>

===Mafia===
One of the most infamous criminal gangs are [[Mafias]], whose activities include racketeering and overseeing illicit agreements.<ref>Gambetta, Diego (2009). Codes of the Underworld: How Criminals Communicate. Princeton University Press. ISBN 9780691119373: ''"The mafia's principal activities are settling disputes among other criminals, protecting them against each other's cheating, and organizing and overseeing illicit agreements, often involving many agents, such as illicit cartel agreements in otherwise legal industries. Mafia-like groups offer a solution of sorts to the trust problem by playing the role of a government for the underworld and supplying protection to people involved in illegal markets ordeals. They may play that role poorly, sometimes veering toward extortion rather than genuine protection, but they do play it."''</ref> These include the Sicilian [[Sicilian Mafia|Cosa Nostra]] and the [[American Mafia|Italian–American Mafia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carpenoctem.tv/mafia/mafia.html |title=Introduction to the Mafia |work=source <!-- |access-date=2009 --> |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102151111/http://www.carpenoctem.tv/mafia/mafia.html |archive-date=2016-01-02 }}</ref> The Neapolitan [[Camorra]], the Calabrian [['Ndrangheta]] and the Apulian [[Sacra Corona Unita]] are similar [[Italy|Italian]] organized gangs. Outside of Italy, the [[Irish Mob]], Japanese [[yakuza]], Chinese [[triad (organized crime)|triads]], British [[British firms (organised crime)|firms]], and Russian [[Bratva]] are also examples.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heuni.fi/uploads/mmadzpnix.pdf |title=Organised Crime Around the World |work=The European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, affiliated with the United Nations (HEUNI) <!-- |access-date=2009 --> |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016055450/http://www.heuni.fi/uploads/mmadzpnix.pdf |archive-date=2013-10-16 }}</ref><ref>Britannica Academic, s.v. "Yakuza," accessed 30 September 2018, https://academic.eb.com/levels/collegiate/article/yakuza/77739.</ref>

===Narco===
[[Narcoculture in Mexico|Narcos]] or [[drug cartel]]s are slang terms used for criminal groups (mainly [[Latin Americans]]) who primarily deal with the illegal drug trade.<ref name="OvalleMarroquin">Ovalle Marroquin, Lilian P. "Las Fronteras de la 'narcocultura.' " 2007. Digital file.</ref> These include drug cartels like the [[Medellin Cartel]] and other Colombian cartels, Mexican cartels like the [[Sinaloa Cartel]] and [[Los Zetas]], and the [[Primeiro Comando da Capital]] in Brazil.<ref name="jpla">{{cite journal |title=Evade, Corrupt, or Confront? Organized Crime and the State in Brazil and Mexico |journal=Journal of Politics in Latin America |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=3–29 |date=2009-07-20 |last1=Taylor |first1=Matthew M. |last2=Bailey |first2=John |doi=10.1177/1866802X0900100201 |doi-access=free  | issn = 1866-802X }}</ref> Other examples are Jamaican [[Yardie]]s and the various opium barons in the [[Golden Triangle (Southeast Asia)|Golden Triangle]] and [[Golden Crescent]]. Many narcos are known for their use of paramilitaries and [[narcoterrorism]] like the [[Gulf Cartel]] and [[Shower Posse]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.equaltimes.org/in-mexico-there-is-no-pandemic-for?lang=en#.YKXZ9KgzbIU|title=In Mexico "there is no pandemic for paramilitary groups"|website=Equal Times|author=Varzi, Changiz M.|date=9 April 2021 }} April 9, 2021</ref>

===Street===
[[File:101 Gang Members Arrested in Central Valley 06.jpg|thumb|California Attorney General [[Kamala Harris]] announced the arrest of 101 gang members on June 8, 2011.]]

Street gangs are gangs formed by youths in urban areas, and are known primarily for [[street fighting]] and gang warfare.<ref>White, Rob (2007). ''Youth Gangs, Violence and Anti-Social Behaviour''. Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth. pp. 18, 29.</ref> The term "street gang" is commonly used interchangeably with "youth gang", referring to neighborhood or street-based youth groups that meet "gang" criteria.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/rgnzd-crm-brf-12/rgnzd-crm-brf-12-eng.pdf|title=Public Safety: Gang}}</ref> Miller (1992) defines a street gang as "a self-formed association of peers, united by mutual interests, with identifiable leadership and internal organization, who act collectively or as individuals to achieve specific purposes, including the conduct of illegal activity and control of a particular territory, facility, or enterprise."<ref>Miller, W. B. (1992) [Revised from 1982]. ''Crime by Youth Gangs and Groups in the United States''. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.</ref> Some of the well-known ones are the Black gangs like the [[Bloods]] and the [[Crips]], also the [[Vice Lords]] and the [[Gangster Disciples]]. Other racial gangs also exist like the [[Trinitario]], [[Sureños]], [[Tiny Rascal Gang]], [[Asian Boyz]], [[Wa Ching]], [[Zoe Pound]], the [[Latin Kings (gang)|Latin Kings]], the [[Hammerskins]], [[Nazi Lowriders]], and [[Blood & Honour]].

=== Law enforcement ===
Law enforcement gangs are criminal organizations that form and operate within law enforcement agencies. Members have been accused of significant department abuses of policy and constitutional rights, terrifying the general population, intimidating their colleagues, and retaliating against whistleblowers. Leaders called "shot-callers" control many aspects of local policing, including promotions, scheduling, and enforcement. They operate in the gray areas of law enforcement, perpetuate a culture of silence, and promote a mentality of [[Punisher|punisher-style]] retaliation.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Goodyear |first=Dana |date=2022-05-30 |title=The L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy-Gang Crisis |language=en-US |magazine=The New Yorker |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/06/06/the-la-county-sheriffs-deputy-gang-crisis |access-date=2023-10-14 |issn=0028-792X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=LA BOS |url=https://coc.lacounty.gov/deputy-gangs/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=LA BOS |language=en}}</ref>

===Biker===
Biker gangs are [[motorcycle clubs]] who conduct illegal activities like the [[Hells Angels]], the [[Pagan's Motorcycle Club|Pagans]], the [[Outlaws Motorcycle Club|Outlaws]], and the [[Bandidos Motorcycle Club|Bandidos]],<ref>[http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Security/citizensecurity/eeuu/documents/ssgu00.pdf FBI Safe Street Violent Crime Initiative – Report Fiscal Year 2000], FBI.org</ref><ref>[http://www.cisc.gc.ca/annual_reports/annual_report_2004/document/cisc_2004_annual_report.pdf 2004 Annual Report] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091222072041/http://www.cisc.gc.ca/annual_reports/annual_report_2004/document/cisc_2004_annual_report.pdf |date=December 22, 2009 }}- Criminal Intelligence Service Canada, cisc.gc.ca</ref> known as the "Big Four" in the United States.<ref>[http://ctgia.org/mcgang.html Motorcycle Gangs] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804054924/http://ctgia.org/mcgang.html |date=August 4, 2015 }}- Connecticut Gang Investigators Association</ref> The [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Department of Justice]] defines [[Outlaw motorcycle club|outlaw motorcycle gangs]] (OMG) as "organizations whose members use their motorcycle clubs as conduits for criminal enterprises".<ref name=USDOJ_Motorcycle_Gangs2>{{Citation |title=Motorcycle Gangs |url=https://www.justice.gov/criminal/ocgs/gangs/motorcycle.html |author=U.S. Dept. of Justice |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415074158/http://www.justice.gov/criminal/ocgs/gangs/motorcycle.html |archive-date=2014-04-15 |access-date=2020-11-22 }}</ref> Some clubs are considered "outlaw" not necessarily because they engage in criminal activity, but because they are not sanctioned by the [[American Motorcyclist Association]] and do not adhere to its rules. Instead the clubs have their own set of bylaws reflecting the outlaw biker culture.<ref name=Drew2002>{{Citation|title=The everything motorcycle book: the one book you must have to buy, ride, and maintain your motorcycle|first=A. J.|last=Drew|publisher=Adams Media Corp|year=2002|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=wWnBPAAACAAJ|isbn=9781580625548|pages=193–203, 277}}</ref><ref name=Dulaney2002>{{Citation|last=Dulaney|first=William L.|periodical=[[International Journal of Motorcycle Studies]]|url=http://ijms.nova.edu/November2005/IJMS_Artcl.Dulaney.html|date=November 2005|title=A Brief History of "Outlaw" Motorcycle Clubs}}</ref><ref name=Wolf1992>{{Citation|title=The Rebels: a brotherhood of outlaw bikers|first=Daniel R.|last=Wolf|publisher=University of Toronto Press|year=1992|isbn=978-0802073631|page=4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mgNRMZAg8N4C&q=%22Technically+the+label+outlaw&pg=PA4}}</ref>

Biker gangs such as the [[Rebels Motorcycle Club]] exist in Australia.

===Prison===
[[Prison gangs]] are formed inside prisons and correctional facilities for mutual protection and entrancement like the [[Mexican Mafia]] and [[United Blood Nation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prisoncommission.org/statements/fleisher_mark_s.pdf |title=Societal and Correctional Context of Prison Gangs |work=source <!-- |access-date=2009 --> |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015211916/http://prisoncommission.org/statements/fleisher_mark_s.pdf |archive-date=2011-10-15 }}</ref><ref name="urlWe spoke to hundreds of prison gang members – heres what they said about life behind bars | Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine | University of Colorado Boulder">{{cite web |url=https://www.colorado.edu/asmagazine/2020/04/03/we-spoke-hundreds-prison-gang-members-heres-what-they-said-about-life-behind-bars |title=We spoke to hundreds of prison gang members – here's what they said about life behind bars &#124; Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine &#124; University of Colorado Boulder |date=3 April 2020 |format= |accessdate=}}</ref> Prison gangs often have several "affiliates" or "chapters" in different state prison systems that branch out due to the movement or transfer of their members.<ref name="Hagedorn 12"/> According to criminal justice professor [[John Hagedorn]], many of the biggest gangs from Chicago originated from prisons. From the [[Illinois Department of Corrections|St. Charles Illinois Youth Center]] originated the Conservative Vice Lords and Blackstone Rangers. Although the majority of gang leaders from Chicago are now incarcerated, most of those leaders continue to manage their gangs from within prison.<ref name="Hagedorn 12">{{harvnb|Hagedorn|2008|p=12}}</ref>

===Punk===
Punk gangs are a unique type of gang made up of members who follow the [[Punk ideologies|punk rock ideology]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/unearthing-the-secret-history-of-las-deadliest-punk-rock-gang-666/|title=Unearthing the Secret History of 'LA's Deadliest Punk Rock Gang'|website=[[Vice Media|Vice]]|author=Lyons, Patrick|date=17 January 2016 }} January 17, 2016</ref> Unlike other gangs and criminal groups, punk gangs follow a range of political and philosophical beliefs that can range from [[alt-right]] to [[Radical left wing|radical left]]. Differing ideologies are one of the causes of conflicts between rival punk gangs, compared to other street gangs and criminal groups who wage gang war solely for illegal profit, vendetta, and territory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lamag.com/culturefiles/l-punks-80s-90s-kept-neo-nazis-scene/|title=How L.A. Punks of the '80s and '90s Kept Neo-Nazis Out of Their Scene|website=LA Magazine|author=Pursell, Robert|date=31 January 2018}} January 31, 2018</ref> Most of them can be seen in political and social protests and demonstrations and are sometimes in violent confrontation with law-enforcement. Examples of punk gangs are [[FFF (gang)|Fight For Freedom]], [[Friends Stand United]], and [[Straight edge|Straight Edge]] gangs.<ref name="CT1">{{cite news |title=Crimes of Fashion Lure Affluent Kids for the Fun of It (preview) |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/25018969.html?dids=25018969:25018969&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+14%2C+1985&author=Associated+Press&pub=Chicago+Tribune+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=CRIMES+OF+FASHION+LURE+AFFLUENT+KIDS+FOR+THE+FUN+OF+IT&pqatl=google |agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=June 14, 1985 |author=Anderson, Dennis |page=28 |access-date=August 13, 2021 |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022130642/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/25018969.html?dids=25018969:25018969&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+14,+1985&author=Associated+Press&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=CRIMES+OF+FASHION+LURE+AFFLUENT+KIDS+FOR+THE+FUN+OF+IT&pqatl=google |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oxygen.com/martinis-murder/mayans-mc-showrunner-elgin-james-nazi-fighting-vigilante |title='Mayans M.C.' Showrunner Elgin James Was A Nazi-Fighting Vigilante  |last=Shorey |first=Eric |date=September 11, 2018 |work=[[Oxygen (TV network)|Oxygen]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729065111/https://www.oxygen.com/martinis-murder/mayans-mc-showrunner-elgin-james-nazi-fighting-vigilante |archive-date=July 29, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Vigilante===
Contemporary organized crime has also led to the creation of anti-gang groups, vigilante gangs, and [[Autodefensas (disambiguation)|autodefensas]], who are groups who profess to be fighting against gang influence, but share characteristics and acts similarly to a gang.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news |url=https://www.jornada.com.mx/2016/04/17/politica/012n1pol|title=El cártel Jalisco Nueva generación entregó armas a Los Viagras|first=Gustavo Castillo |last=García |date=17 April 2016|work=[[La Jornada]] |accessdate=6 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106204847/https://www.jornada.com.mx/2016/04/17/politica/012n1pol|archive-date=6 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39143 |title = RIGHTS-EL SALVADOR: Death Squads Still Operating |first = Raúl |last = Gutiérrez |date = 2007-09-04 |publisher = [[Inter Press Service]] |access-date  = 2007-11-07 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20071108233217/http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39143 |archive-date = 2007-11-08 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="AfricanAffairs">{{cite web | url=http://afraf.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/08/16/afraf.adr046.abstract | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415140528/http://afraf.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/08/16/afraf.adr046.abstract | url-status=dead | archive-date=15 April 2013 | title=The politics of mobilization for security in South African townships | publisher=African Affairs | work=volume 110, issue 441 | year=2011 | access-date=6 August 2012 | author=Fourchard, L. | pages=607–627}}</ref> These include groups like the [[Los Pepes]], [[Sombra Negra]], [[Friends Stand United]], [[People Against Gangsterism and Drugs]], and [[Waray-Waray gangs#Philippine Drug War|OG Imba]].

==Structure==
[[File:Latin King.jpg|thumb|[[Latin Kings (gang)|Latin King]] gang member showing his gang tattoo, a lion with a crown, and signifying the 5 point star with his hands]]

Many types of gangs make up the general structure of an organized group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gangwar.com/dynamics.htm |title=Street Gang Dynamics |work=The Nawojczyk Group, Inc. <!-- |access-date=2009 --> |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818023438/http://www.gangwar.com/dynamics.htm |archive-date=2014-08-18 }}</ref> Understanding the structure of gangs is a critical skill to defining the types of strategies that are most effective with dealing with them, from the at-risk youth to the gang leaders.<ref name="Matthew O'Deane">{{cite web|url=http://www.lawtechcustompublishing.com/publication.asp?pid=47 |title=gang |work=Gangs: Theory, Practice and Research |author=Matthew O'Deane |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305003323/http://www.lawtechcustompublishing.com/publication.asp?pid=47 |archive-date=2016-03-05 }}</ref> Not all individuals who display the outward signs of gang membership are actually involved in criminal activities. An individual's age, sexual identity,<ref>{{cite book
|last        = Panfil
|first       = Vanessa R. 
|date        = March 7, 2017
|title       = The Gang's All Queer: The Lives of Gay Gang Members 
|location    = New York
|publisher   = New York University Press
|isbn        = 9781479805204
|oclc = 992784659 
}}</ref> physical structure, ability to fight, willingness to commit violence, and arrest record are often principal factors in determining where an individual stands in the gang hierarchy; how money derived from criminal activity and ability to provide for the gang also impacts the individual's status within the gang. The structure of gangs varies depending primarily on size, which can range from five or ten to thousands. Many of the larger gangs break up into smaller groups, cliques or sub-sets (these smaller groups can be called "sets" in gang slang.)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2005/12/how-do-you-start-a-gang.html|title=How do you start a gang?|last=Engber|first=Daniel|date=2005-12-13|website=Slate Magazine|language=en|access-date=2020-02-21}}</ref> The cliques typically bring more territory to a gang as they expand and recruit new members.  Most gangs operate informally with leadership falling to whoever takes control; others have distinct leadership and are highly structured, which resembles more or less a business or corporation.

Criminal gangs may function both inside and outside of prison, such as the [[Nuestra Familia]], [[Mexican Mafia]], [[Folk Nation]], and the Brazilian<ref name="jpla"/> [[Primeiro Comando da Capital|PCC]]. During the 1970s, prison gangs in [[Cape Town]], South Africa began recruiting street gang members from outside and helped increase associations between prison and street gangs.<ref>{{harvnb|Hagedorn|2008|p=13}}</ref>
In the US, the prison gang the [[Aryan Brotherhood]] is involved in organized crime outside of prison.

==Membership==
{{See also|Gang population}}
[[File:MeechAndJBO.jpg|thumb|[[Black Mafia Family]] leaders in 2004]]
Different gangs and criminal syndicates have various roles and members.<ref>{{cite book|last=O'Deane|first=Matthew|title=Gang Injunctions and Abatement: Using Civil Remedies to Curb Gang-Related Crimes|date=2012|publisher=CRC Press|location=Boca Raton, FL|isbn=9781466554108}}</ref> Most are typically divided into:<ref name="CBR 1">{{cite journal|oclc=1021134955|title=Differentiating Gang Members, Gang Affiliates, and Violent Men on Their Psychiatric Morbidity and Traumatic Experiences|journal=Psychiatry|author=Wood, Jane L.|year=2017|volume=80|issue=3|pages=221–235|doi=10.1080/00332747.2016.1256144|pmid=29087253|s2cid=25970766|url=https://kar.kent.ac.uk/58330/1/Gang%20members%20gang%20affiliates%20and%20violent%20men%20-%20mental%20health%20FV.pdf }} Fall 2017</ref><ref name="CBR 2">{{cite web|url=https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/gangs-and-gang-crime/gang-structure|title=Gangs and gang crime|website=Thurrock|author=}}</ref><ref name="CBR 3">{{cite web|url=https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/188511.pdf|title=Gang Structures, Crime Patterns, and Police Responses|website=Department of Justice|author=Klein, Malcolm W.}}</ref>
* Boss: known in some groups as leader, elder, don, ''oyabun'', or ''original gangster'', is the one who has control over the movement, plans, and actions of a gang.<ref name="CBR 3"/><ref name="kyotojournal.org">Raz, Jacob. "Insider Outsider: The Way of the Yakuza." Kyoto Journal. Last modified 17 April 2011. https://kyotojournal.org/society/insider-outsider/.</ref><ref name="Mafia22">{{cite book|last=Dash|first=Mike|title=The First Family: Terror, Extortion, Revenge, Murder, and the Birth of the American Mafia|year=2010|publisher=Ballantine Books|location=New York|isbn=978-0345523570|pages=384–386}}</ref> Gang leaders are the upper echelons of the gang's command. Often, they distance themselves from the gang activities and make attempts to appear legitimate, possibly operating a business that they run as a front for the gang's drug dealing or other illegal operations.<ref>{{cite book |title=Gang Investigator's Handbook: A Law-Enforcement Guide to Identifying and Combating Violent Street Gangs  |author=Matthew O'Deane}}</ref>
* Underboss: the second in command of the gang.<ref name="Mafia22"/> 
* Captain: the one who issues commands from the boss or underboss to the gangsters. The captain is responsible for the activities in the field and for recruiting new members.<ref name="CBR 3"/><ref name="Mafia22"/>
* Gangsters: also known as soldiers, ''soldatos'', or ''kobun'', are the typical gang members who commit the activities of the gang.<ref name="CBR 1"/>
* Associates: known also as gang affiliates or ''hang-arounds'', are people who are not full members of the gang, but either support and participate in the activities of a gang, or have livelihoods tied to gang activities.<ref name="CBR 1"/><ref name="wolfpack">{{cite web|title=Levels of Club Affiliation|url=http://www.wolfpackmc.org/aboutlevels.php|website=Wolfpack Motorcycle Club|access-date=10 June 2016|archive-date=12 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712180901/http://www.wolfpackmc.org/aboutlevels.php|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Included here are specialized roles like enforcers ([[Contract killing|hitmen]] who work for criminal organizations),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theconversation.com/the-enforcer-the-myth-and-reality-of-organised-crimes-hard-man-143778|title=The enforcer: the myth and reality of organised crime's hard man|website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]]|author=Rahman, Mohammed|date=18 August 2020 }} August 19, 2020</ref> falcons ("eyes and ears" of the streets),<ref>{{cite news|title=Va Marina por 'halcones del crimen organizado|url=http://www.mundonarco.com/2011/04/va-marina-por-halcones-del-crimen.html|newspaper=Blog del Narco|date=21 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827061101/http://www.mundonarco.com/2011/04/va-marina-por-halcones-del-crimen.html|archive-date=27 August 2011}}</ref> and mules (smugglers who transport [[Drug mule|drugs]], [[Money mule|money]], and other contraband materials).<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.dea.gov/pubs/cngrtest/ct110905.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051210020757/http://www.dea.gov/pubs/cngrtest/ct110905.html | archive-date = December 10, 2005 | title = Statement of Michael A. Braun, Chief of Operations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Before the House International Relations Committee, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, November 9, 2005 – "The Illicit Drug Transit Zone in Central America" | date = November 9, 2005 | publisher = U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)}}</ref>

The numerous push factors experienced by at-risk individuals vary situationally, but follow a common theme of the desire for power, respect, money, and protection. In neighborhoods with high levels of violence, adolescents typically experience pressure to join a street gang for protection from other violent actors (sometimes including [[police violence]] and the waging of the [[war on drugs]]), perpetuating a [[cycle of violence]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Cuz: An American Tragedy |year=2018 |author=Danielle Allen |publisher=Liveright |isbn=978-1631494949}}</ref> These desires are very influential in attracting individuals to join gangs, and their influence is particularly strong on at-risk youth. Such individuals are often experiencing low levels of these various factors in their own lives, feeling ostracized from their community and lacking social support. Joining a gang may appear to them to be the only way to obtain status and material success or escape a [[cycle of poverty]] through profits from illegal activity. They may feel that "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em". Upon joining a gang, they instantly gain a feeling of belonging and identity; they are surrounded with individuals whom they can relate to. They have generally grown up in the same area as one another and can bond over similar needs. In some areas, joining a gang is an integrated part of the growing-up process.<ref>O'Grady. 2007. Crime in a Canadian context.</ref>

Gang membership is generally maintained by gangs as a lifetime commitment, reinforced through identification such as tattoos, and ensured through intimidation and coercion. Gang defectors are often subject to retaliation from the deserted gang. Many gangs, including foreign and [[transnational gangs]], hold that the only way to leave the gang is through death. This is sometimes informally called the "morgue rule".<ref>{{cite book|last=Brenneman|first=Robert|title=Homies and Hermanos: God and Gangs in Central America|url=https://archive.org/details/homieshermanosgo00bren|url-access=limited|date=November 23, 2011|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=New York|isbn=9780199753901|page=[https://archive.org/details/homieshermanosgo00bren/page/n173 159]}}</ref>

Gang membership represents the phenomenon of a chronic group [[criminal spin]]; accordingly, the criminality of members is greater when they belong to the gang than when they are not in the gang—either before or after being in the gang. In addition, when together, the gang criminality as a whole is greater than that of its members when they are alone.<ref>Ronel, N. (2011). "Criminal behavior, criminal mind: Being caught in a criminal spin." ''International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology'', 55(8), 1208–1233</ref> The gang operates as a whole greater than its parts and influences the behavior of its members in the direction of greater extend and stronger degree of criminality.

Some states have a formal process to establish that a person is a member of a gang, called [[Validation (gang membership)|validation]].  Once a person is validated as a gang member, the person is subject to increased sentences, harsher punishments (such as solitary confinement) and more restrictive parole rules. To validate a person as a gang member, the officials generally must provide evidence of several factors, such as tattoos, photographs, admissions, clothing, etc. The legal requirements for validating a person are much lower than the requirements for convicting of a crime.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corrections.az.gov/membership-validation-criteria|title=Membership Validation Criteria|date=15 May 2014|access-date=14 February 2018|archive-date=6 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106093425/https://corrections.az.gov/membership-validation-criteria|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/10/how-gangs-took-over-prisons/379330/|title=How Gangs Took Over Prisons|first=Graeme|last=Wood|website=[[The Atlantic]]|date=17 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thepresstribune.com/article/4/20/15/roseville-police-explain-gang-validation-process|title=Roseville police explain gang validation process|access-date=2018-02-14|archive-date=2018-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904054132/http://www.thepresstribune.com/article/4/20/15/roseville-police-explain-gang-validation-process|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.dconc.gov/home/showdocument?id=20783|title= Report|website= dconc.gov|access-date= 2018-02-14|archive-date= 2018-02-15|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180215023744/http://www.dconc.gov/home/showdocument?id=20783|url-status= dead}}</ref>

===Non-member women===
Women associated with gangs but who lack membership are typically categorized based on their relation to gang members.  A survey of Mexican American gang members and associates defined these categories as girlfriends, hoodrats, good girls, and relatives.<ref name="Valdez, A. 2007">Valdez, A. (2007). Mexican American Girls and Gang Violence. New York, New York: Palgrave Macmillan.</ref> Girlfriends are long-term partners of male gang members, and may have children with them. "[[Wikt:hoodrat|Hoodrats]]" are seen as being promiscuous and heavy drug and alcohol users. Gang members may engage in casual sex with these girls, but they are not viewed as potential long-term partners and are severely stigmatized by both men and women in gang culture. "Good girls" are long-term friends of members, often from childhood, and relatives are typically sisters or cousins.  These are fluid categories, and women often change status as they move between them.
Valdez found that women with ties to gang members are often used to hold illegal weapons and drugs, typically, because members believe the girls are less likely to be searched by police for such items.<ref name="Valdez, A. 2007"/>

===<span class="anchor" id="Initiation"></span> Initiation===
Different gangs from around the world have their way of recruiting and introducing new members. Most criminal gangs require an interested candidate to commit a crime to be inducted into a gang.<ref name=maryland>Maryland gangs.[http://gangs.umd.edu/wfrmByLocationDetail.aspx?county=Harford Associated Gangs in this county] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016135802/http://gangs.umd.edu/wfrmByLocationDetail.aspx?county=Harford |date=2007-10-16 }}.</ref><ref name=vlad>{{cite web|url=https://www.vladsokhin.com/work/crying-meri/|title=Crying Meri|publisher=Vlad Sokhin |access-date=12 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2008/11/26/ce_bar_killing_1126.ART_ART_11-26-08_B5_DLC0U89.html|title=Man, 18, gets life in prison for murder|last=Coolidge|first=Sharon|date=November 26, 2008|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |access-date=November 26, 2008|publisher=GateHouse Media, Inc.|agency=The Columbia Dispatch|archive-date=September 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909222247/https://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2008/11/26/ce_bar_killing_1126.ART_ART_11-26-08_B5_DLC0U89.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> Many street gangs, like the Bloods and [[MS-13]], have a ritual where they would beat up (also known as "beat-in" or "jump-in") aspiring applicants for several seconds to show their toughness, willingness, and loyalty.<ref name=maryland/><ref>James M Klatell. [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/exclusive-gangs-spreading-in-the-military/ Exclusive: Gangs Spreading In The Military]</ref> Some of these gangs allow women to become members either through being jumped-in or having sex with male members (known as "sexed-in").<ref>Burris-Kitchen, D. (1997). Female Gang Participation. [[Lewiston, New York]]: [[Edwin Mellen Press]].</ref>

Biker gangs like the [[Hells Angels]] require a candidate, known as a "hang-around", to be observed and mentored by veteran gang members (which can last a year or more) in order to assess their personalities and commitment.<ref name=bbcbarger>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/873831.stm |date=August 14, 2000 |title=Born to raise Hell |publisher=[[BBC News]] |access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref> The [[Cosa Nostra]] requires people wanting to be full members or become made men to take part in a [[Initiation ritual (mafia)|ceremony]] involving oaths, agreement, and bloodletting to show their loyalty.<ref name=gambetta143>Gambetta, ''The Sicilian Mafia'', pp. 146-53</ref> The [[Sigue Sigue Sputnik (gang)|Sigue-Sigue Sputnik]] from the Philippines require gang members to tattoo (or "tatak") the name of the gang or their leader into their body.<ref name="Frank">{{cite web|url=https://www.asj.upd.edu.ph/mediabox/archive/ASJ-03-01-1965/Ashburn.pdf|title=Some Recent Inquiries into the Structure-Function of Conflict Gangs in Manila City Jail|website=Asj.UPD|author=Ashburn, Franklin G.}} July 25, 2007</ref> Triads have a more unique way of initiating associates into full members. Triad ceremonies take place at an altar dedicated to [[Guan Yu]], with incense and an [[animal sacrifice]] (usually a chicken, pig or goat).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.americanmafia.com/Feature_Articles_378.html |title=Feature Articles 378 |publisher=AmericanMafia.com |access-date=2010-08-31 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101015170735/http://americanmafia.com/Feature_Articles_378.html |archive-date=2010-10-15 }}</ref><ref name=GB>{{cite book|title=Triad Societies, Volume 5|date=1941|isbn = 9780415243971|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6irEoGgDrm4C&q=36+oaths+triad&pg=PA123|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427233200/https://books.google.com/books?id=6irEoGgDrm4C&pg=PA123&lpg=PA123&dq=36+oaths+triad&source=bl&ots=PiX8keM6SV&sig=653NRAjEIYup2NW0cOkvweHhX8A&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-oI4U9D4NcadqAHsi4G4CA&sqi=2&ved=0CEoQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=36%20oaths%20triad&f=false|archive-date=2018-04-27|last=Wynne |first=Mervyn Llewelyn |publisher=Taylor & Francis }}</ref>

===Training===
Training and expertise in various forms of illicit activities, including combat, exist variously throughout different gangs. Specific members of American mafia groups, like police infiltrators, double agents, and sometimes also enforcers and hitmen, have had backgrounds in law enforcement or the military.<ref name="Training1">{{cite web|url=https://howtofightwrite.com/qa-mafia-training/|title=Q&A Mafia Training|website=How To Fight Write|author=Schwarz, Michael|access-date=2022-03-09|archive-date=2022-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408200807/https://howtofightwrite.com/qa-mafia-training/|url-status=dead}} November 1, 2017</ref> Sicilian mafia and Calabrian Mafia in [[Southern Italy]] became notorious for creating "schools" in the countryside to train children as young as eleven in weapons and illegal activities.<ref name="Training2">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/aug/16/philipwillan|title=Mafia sets up crime academy to train child assassins|website=[[The Guardian]]|author=Willan, Philip|date=16 August 1999 }} August 16, 1999</ref> Giovanni Tinebra, the chief public prosecutor of [[Caltanissetta]], once stated, "Instead of going to school, many boys go into the countryside where there are people who teach them to shoot and turn them into killing machines."<ref name="Training2"/>

Some drug cartels in Colombia and Mexico have established themselves as [[Paramilitary|paramilitaries]]. The earliest and most famous example was the time when the Medellin Cartel hired Israeli soldier [[Yair Klein]] to train militiamen and assassins.<ref>BBC, "[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6968143.stm Colombia Seeks Israeli terrorist]", BBC Online 29 August 2007</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Israeli Reserve Colonel Convicted of Illegal Sale of Arms, Know-how.|newspaper=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|date=3 December 1990|author=Hugh Orgel}}</ref> Los Zetas became infamous for being founded by US-trained [[Cuerpo de Fuerzas Especiales|Mexican commandos]].<ref>Grayson, George W. (2012). ''The Executioner's Men: Los Zetas, Rogue Soldiers, Criminal Entrepreneurs, and the Shadow State They Created'' (1st ed.), page 46, Transaction Publishers.{{ISBN|9781412846172}}</ref> Together with [[Kaibil]]es from [[Guatemala]], they set up camps to train future [[Contract killing|sicarios]] and soldatos.<ref name=Cook10 >{{Cite book| contribution=Mexico's Drug Cartels| title=CRS Report for Congress| editor-first=Colleen W.| editor-last=Cook| publisher=Congressional Research Service| page=10| date=16 October 2007| contribution-url=http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL34215.pdf| access-date=9 August 2009}}</ref> Other Mexican cartels who trained their members include the [[Jalisco New Generation Cartel|Jalisco Cartel]], who trained their members for three months in ambushes, codes of silence and discipline, inside camps.<ref name="Training3">{{cite web|url=https://insightcrime.org/news/analysis/training-grounds-mexico-jalisco-cartel/|title=The School of Terror: Inside a Jalisco Cartel Training Camp in Mexico|website=[[InSight Crime]]|author=Mencho, El|date=13 June 2019 }} June 13, 2019</ref>

In the case of street gangs, most do not train their members in shooting and combat.<ref name="Training4">{{cite web|url=https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/2013/10/29/why-gang-members-cant-shoot-straight/ideas/nexus/|title=WHY GANG MEMBERS CAN'T SHOOT STRAIGHT|website=Zocal Public Square|author=Leap, Jorga|date=29 October 2013 }} October 29, 2013</ref> Although a few would train their youths how to shoot using empty cans and bottles as targets (with some cases using underground [[shooting range]]s<ref name="Training5">{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/police-find-secret-underground-lair-shooting-range-gang/story?id=60954603|title=Police find secret underground lair, shooting range at gang hideout in California|website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|author=Osborne, Mark}} February 9, 2019</ref>), most gangsters have no formal instructions in firearms usage and safety.<ref name="Training4"/> The late 90s and early 2000s saw many gang members in the US being sent by judges to the military to "set them on the right path", which only led to these street gangs gaining military training and experience.<ref name="Training1"/> Many street gangs, most notably African-American gangs like the Folk Nation and Bloods, continue to have a presence in the [[United States Armed Forces|US Military]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stripes.com/07/feb07/gangs/ncis_gangs.pdf |title= Gang-Related Activity in the US Armed Forces Increasing |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805025050/http://stripes.com/07/feb07/gangs/ncis_gangs.pdf|archive-date=August 5, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Training5b">{{cite web|url=https://www.thebalancecareers.com/gang-activity-in-the-u-s-military-3354199#toc-why-the-army-disagrees|title=Gang Activity in the U.S. Military|website=The Balance Careers|author=Powers, Rod}} June 08, 2018</ref>

==Typical activities==
[[File:Marasalvatrucha13arrest.png|thumb|[[Mara Salvatrucha]] suspect bearing gang tattoos is handcuffed. In 2004, the [[FBI]] created the [[MS-13]] National Gang Task Force to combat gang activity in the United States. A year later, the FBI helped create [[National Gang Intelligence Center]].]]

The [[United Nations]] estimates that gangs make most of their money through the [[illegal drug trade|drugs trade]], which is thought to be worth $352 billion in total.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2009/dec/13/drug-money-banks-saved-un-cfief-claims | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Drug money saved banks in global crisis, claims UN advisor | date=December 13, 2009 | access-date=May 3, 2010 | first=Rajeev | last=Syal}}</ref> The [[United States Department of Justice]] estimates there are approximately 30,000 gangs, with 760,000 members, impacting 2,500 communities across the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/fs200601.pdf |title=Highlights of the 2004 National Youth gang Survey |publisher=Ncjrs.gov |access-date=2012-10-24}}</ref>

Gangs are involved in all areas of street-crime activities like [[extortion]], drug trafficking,<ref name="justice.gov">{{Cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/ndic-moved.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122012823/http://www.justice.gov/ndic/pubs31/31379/gangs.htm#Top|url-status=dead|title=U.S. Department of Justice National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC)|archivedate=January 22, 2012|website=www.justice.gov}}</ref> both in and outside the prison system, and [[theft]]. Gangs also victimize individuals by [[robbery]] and [[kidnapping]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.docstoc.com/docs/6452688/Organized_crime |title=Organized_crime |work=source <!-- |access-date=2009 --> |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230043553/http://www.docstoc.com/docs/6452688/Organized_crime |archive-date=2016-12-30 }}</ref> [[Cocaine]] is the primary drug of distribution by gangs in America, which have used the cities [[Chicago]], [[Cape Town]], and [[Rio de Janeiro]] to transport drugs internationally.<ref>{{harvnb|Hagedorn|2008|p=14}}</ref> Brazilian urbanization has driven the drug trade to the [[favela]]s of Rio. Often, gangs hire "lookouts" to warn members of upcoming law enforcement. The dense environments of favelas in Rio and public housing projects in Chicago have helped gang members hide from police easily.<ref>{{harvnb|Hagedorn|2008|pp=14–15}}</ref>

Street gangs take over territory or "turf" in a particular city and are often involved in "[[protection racket|providing protection]]", often a thin cover for extortion, as the "protection" is usually from the gang itself, or in other criminal activity. Many gangs use [[front organization|fronts]] to demonstrate influence and gain revenue in a particular area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trincoll.edu/~anselmi/ChildDevelopment/solutions/2006%20Fall%20-%20Gang%20Involvement.pdf |title=Gang influence and gain revenue |work=source <!-- |access-date=2009 --> |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524043553/http://www.trincoll.edu/~anselmi/ChildDevelopment/solutions/2006%20Fall%20-%20Gang%20Involvement.pdf |archive-date=2014-05-24 }}</ref>

==Violence==
{{redirect|Gang war|other uses of the term|Gang war (disambiguation)}}
{{see also|Category:Organized crime conflicts}}
[[File:Latin King Graffiti.jpg|thumb|[[Latin Kings (gang)|Latin Kings]] graffiti]]
[[File:Nobody Can Stop the War But Us Mural in Nickerson Gardens, Watts, Los Angeles.jpg|thumb|A mural referencing the [[Crips–Bloods gang war]] in Watts' [[Nickerson Gardens]] housing project, pictured in 2019]]
Gang violence refers mostly to the illegal and non-political acts of violence perpetrated by gangs against [[civilian]]s, other gangs, [[police|law enforcement officers]], [[firefighter]]s, or [[soldier|military personnel]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://definitions.uslegal.com/g/gang-violence/|title=Gang Violence Law and Legal Definition &#124; USLegal, Inc.|website=definitions.uslegal.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Youth%20Gangs%20%20%20Members,%20Activities%20and%20Measures%20to%20Decrease%20Violence.pdf |title=U.S. Gangs: Their Changing History |work=data <!-- |access-date=2009 --> |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724075802/http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Youth%20Gangs%20%20%20Members%2C%20Activities%20and%20Measures%20to%20Decrease%20Violence.pdf |archive-date=2013-07-24 }}</ref> A gang war is a type of small war that occurs when two gangs end up in a feud over territory or vendetta.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpr.org/show-episode/may-17-2021-the-holly-explores-gang-warfare-anti-gang-efforts-and-police-informants/|title=May 17, 2021: 'The Holly' Explores Gang Warfare, Anti-Gang Efforts And Police Informants|first=Andrea|last=Dukakis|website=Colorado Public Radio|date=17 May 2021 }}</ref> Gang warfare mostly consists of sanctioned and unsanctioned hits, street fighting, and gun violence.<ref>United States. Congress. House. Select Committee on Crime, Crime in America--youth Gang Warfare (1970)[https://books.google.com/books?id=99_0-CeyflIC&dq=gang+warfare&pg=RA4-PA205-IA8 Excerpt]</ref>

Modern gangs introduced new acts of violence, which may also function as a rite of passage for new gang members.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1146/annurev.anthro.32.061002.093426|title=Urban Violence and Street Gangs|year=2003 |last=Vigil |first=James Diego |journal=Annual Review of Anthropology|volume=32|pages=225–242}}</ref> In 2006, 58 percent of L.A.'s murders were gang-related.<ref>"[http://www.newsweek.com/2007/01/24/l-a-s-new-gang-war.html# L.A.'S New Gang War]". ''Newsweek''. January 25, 2007</ref> Reports of gang-related homicides are concentrated mostly in the largest cities in the United States, where there are long-standing and persistent gang problems and a greater number of documented gang members—most of whom are identified by law enforcement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/About/FAQ|title=Frequently Asked Questions About Gangs|work= National Gang Center<!-- |access-date=2009 -->}}</ref> Gang-related activity and violence has increased along the U.S. Southwest border region, as US-based gangs act as enforcers for Mexican [[drug cartel]]s.<ref name="fbi">"[https://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/2011-national-gang-threat-assessment/ FBI — 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment – Emerging Trends]. Fbi.gov.</ref>

=== Schools ===
Despite gangs usually formed in the [[community]], not specifically in [[school]]s, gang violence can potentially affect schools in different ways including:<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000366483|title=Behind the numbers: ending school violence and bullying|publisher=UNESCO|year=2019|isbn=978-92-3-100306-6}}</ref>

* Gangs can recruit members in schools;
* Gang members from the same school can engage in [[violence]] on the school premises or around their school;<ref name=":0" />
* Gang members from the same school can commit violence against other students in the same school who belong to a different gang or who do not belong to a gang;
* Gangs may commit violence against other schools and students in the community where they are active, even if these students do not belong to a gang.<ref name=":0" />

Global data on the prevalence of these different forms of gang violence in and around schools is limited. Some evidence suggests that gang violence is more common in schools where students are exposed to other forms of community violence and where they [[fear]] violence at school.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=United Nations (UN) Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children.|title=Protecting Children Affected by Armed Violence in the Community|publisher=United Nations|year=2016|isbn=978-92-1-101345-0|location=New York: UN}}</ref>

[[Child]]ren who grow up in neighbourhoods with high levels of [[crime]] has been identified as a risk factor for youth violence, including gang violence.<ref>{{Cite report |last1=Krug |first1=E. |last2=Dahlberg |first2=L. |last3=Mercy |first3=J. |last4=Zwi |first4=A. B. |last5=Lozano |first5=R. |date=2002 |title=World Report on Violence and Health |url=https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241545615 |location=Geneva |publisher=World Health Organization |isbn=92-4-154561-5}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=World Health Organization (WHO)|title=Preventing youth violence: an overview of the evidence|publisher=World Health Organization|year=2015|isbn=978-92-4-150925-1}}</ref> According to studies, children who knew many adult [[criminals]] were more likely to engage in [[Violent behavior|violent behaviour]] by the age of 18 years than those who did not.<ref name=":2" />

Gang violence is often associated with carrying [[weapon]]s, including in school.<ref name=":1" /> A study of 10-to-19-year-olds in the UK found that 44% of those who reported belonging to a delinquent youth group had committed violence and 13% had carried a knife in the previous 12 months versus 17% and 4% respectively among those who were not in such a group.<ref>{{Cite report |last1=Sharp |first1=C. |last2=Aldridge |first2=J. |last3=Medina |first3=J. |title=Delinquent Youth Groups and Offending Behaviour: Findings From the 2004 Offending, Crime and Justice Survey |url=https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/delinquent-youth-groups-and-offending-behaviour-findings-2004 |location=[United Kingdom] |publisher=Home Office |id=Online Report 14/06 |isbn=1-84473-924-4}}</ref>

According to a meta-analysis of 14 countries in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific also showed that carrying a weapon at school is associated with [[bullying]] [[Victimisation|victimization]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Valdebenito Munoz |first1=S. |last2=Ttofi |first2=M. |last3=Eisner |first3=M. |last4=Gaffney |first4=H. |title=Weapon carrying in and out of school among pure bullies, pure victims and bully-victims: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.|journal=Aggression and Violent Behavior|pages=33, 62–77}}</ref>

Comparison of Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) data on [[school violence]] and [[bullying]] for countries that are particularly affected by gang violence suggests that the links may be limited. In El Salvador and Guatemala, for example, where gang violence is a serious problem, GSHS data show that the prevalence of bullying, physical fights and physical attacks reported by school students is relatively low, and is similar to prevalence in other countries in Central America where gang violence is less prevalent.<ref name=":0" />

===Sexual violence===
Women in gang culture are often in environments where sexual assault is common and considered to be a norm.<ref name="Valdez, A. 2007"/>  Women who attend social gatherings and parties with heavy drug and alcohol use are particularly likely to be assaulted.  A girl who becomes intoxicated and flirts with men is often seen as "asking for it" and is written off as a "hoe" by men and women.<ref name="Valdez, A. 2007"/>  "Hoodrats" and girls associated with rival gangs have lower status at these social events, and are victimized when members view them as fair game and other women rationalize assault against them.

==Motives==

Most modern research on gangs has focused on the thesis of [[class struggle]] following the work of [[Walter B. Miller]] and Irving Spergel. In this body of work [[Chicago Gaylords|The Gaylords]] are cited as the prime example of an American gang that is neither black nor Hispanic. Some researchers have focused on ethnic factors. [[Frederic Thrasher]], who was a pioneer of gang research, identified "demoralization" as a standard characteristic of gangs. [[John Hagedorn]] has argued that this is one of three concepts that shed light on patterns of organization in oppressed racial, religious and ethnic groups (the other two are [[Manuel Castells]]' theory of "resistance identity" and [[Derrick Bell]]'s work on the permanence of racism).<ref>{{harvnb|Hagedorn|2008|p=55}}</ref>

Usually, gangs have gained the most control in poorer, urban communities and [[developing countries]] in response to unemployment and other services.<ref>{{harvnb|Hagedorn|2008|p=7}}</ref> Social disorganization, and the disintegration of societal institutions such as family, school, and the public safety net, enable groups of peers to form gangs.<ref>{{harvnb|Hagedorn|2008|p=6}}</ref>  According to surveys conducted internationally by the [[World Bank]] for their [[The World Development Report 2011|World Development Report 2011]], by far the most common reason people suggest as a motive for joining gangs is unemployment.<ref>[http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTWDRS/Resources/WDR2011_Full_Text.pdf 2011 World Development Report]  See Figure F2.2 on page 35</ref>

Ethnic solidarity is a common factor in gangs. Black and Hispanic gangs formed during the 1960s in the USA often adapted nationalist rhetoric.<ref>{{harvnb|Hagedorn|2008|p=16}}</ref> Both majority and minority races in society have established gangs in the name of identity: the [[Igbo people|Igbo]] gang [[Bakassi Boys]] in [[Nigeria]] defend the majority Igbo group violently and through terror, and in the United States, whites who feel threatened by minorities have formed their own gangs, such as the [[Ku Klux Klan]]. Responding to an increasing black and Hispanic migration, a white gang formed called [[Chicago Gaylords]].<ref>{{harvnb|Hagedorn|2008|pp=53–54}}</ref> Some gang members are motivated by religion, as is the case with the [[Muslim Patrol]] and the [[Epstein-Wolmark gang]].<ref>Shaer, Matthew (September 2, 2014) [https://www.gq.com/story/epstein-orthodox-hit-squad "Epstein Orthodox Hit Squad"], ''GQ''. Retrieved February 19, 2019.</ref>

==Identification==
{{Main|Gang signal}}
[[File:Sur13 Tattoo 2014-05-27 18-31.jpg|thumbnail|A [[Sureños|Sureño]] gang tattoo]]
Most gang members have [[Gang signals|identifying characteristics]] which are unique to their specific clique or gang.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.everettpolicema.com/gang_awareness.htm |title=Gang Awareness |work=Everett Police Department <!-- |access-date=2009 --> |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423131139/http://www.everettpolicema.com/gang_awareness.htm |archive-date=2015-04-23 }}</ref> The [[Bloods]], for instance, wear red bandanas, the [[Crips]] blue, allowing these gangs to "represent" their affiliation. Any disrespect of a gang member's color by an unaffiliated individual is regarded as grounds for violent retaliation, often by multiple members of the offended gang. [[Tattoo]]s are also common identifiers,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofws.org/Home/Nlnn/GangAwareness/Articles/GangIdentifiers|title=Gang Identifiers|work=Winston-Salem Police Department web site "TGOD Mofo" is a common statement being passed around the hood.<!-- |access-date=2009 -->|access-date=2009-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717092554/http://www.cityofws.org/Home/Nlnn/GangAwareness/Articles/GangIdentifiers|archive-date=2011-07-17|url-status=dead}}</ref> such as an '18' above the eyebrow to identify a member of the [[18th Street (gang)|18th Street gang]]. Tattoos help a gang member gain respect within their group, and mark them as members for life. Tattoos can also represent the level they are in the gang, being that certain tattoos can mean they are a more accomplished member. The accomplishments can be related to doing a dangerous act that showed your loyalty to the gang. They can be burned on as well as inked. Some gangs make use of more than one identifier, like the [[Nortenos]], who wear red bandanas and have "14", "XIV", "x4", and "Norte" tattoos.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://faculty.missouristate.edu/M/MichaelCarlie/what_I_learned_about/GANGS/graffiti_and_other_identifiers.htm|title=Graffiti and Other Gang Identifiers|work=© 2002 Michael K. Carlie<!-- |access-date=2009 -->|access-date=2009-10-21|archive-date=2009-12-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206132551/http://faculty.missouristate.edu/m/MichaelCarlie/what_i_learned_about/gangs/graffiti_and_other_identifiers.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some members of [[criminal gang (disambiguation)|criminal gang]]s are [[Initiation#Gang|"jumped in"]] (by going through a process of initiation), or have to prove their loyalty and right to belong by committing certain acts, usually theft or violence.

[[File:Crip handsign.gif|thumb|A member of the [[Crips]] showing a [[gang signal]]]]
Gangs often establish distinctive, characteristic identifiers including [[graffiti]] tags<ref>Author: Ferrell, J., Title: "[http://www.albany.edu/scj/jcjpc/vol3is4/style.html Crimes of style: Urban graffiti and the politics of criminality] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110170718/http://www.albany.edu/scj/jcjpc/vol3is4/style.html |date=2007-11-10 }}", Publisher: New York: Garland. (235pp), Year: 1993</ref> [[Gang colors|colors]], [[Gang signal#Hand signs|hand signals]], clothing (for example, the [[gangsta rap]]-type hoodies), jewelry, hair styles, fingernails, slogans,<ref>"[http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ480808&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ480808 Gang Identifiers and Terminology]", Cantrell, Mary Lynn, Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Problems, v1 n1 pp13-14 Spr 1992</ref> signs (such as the [[noose]] and the burning cross as the symbols of the Klan),<ref>"[http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071021/NEWS03/710210310 Noose: 'Shameful' sign makes ominous return]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080717092720/http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20071021%2FNEWS03%2F710210310 |date=July 17, 2008 }}", by Darryl Fears, Washington Post, Published: October 21, 2007 6:00 a.m.</ref> flags<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1007/BF01115492| title=Symbols and the world system: National anthems and flags| year=1993| last1=Cerulo| first1=Karen A.| journal=Sociological Forum| volume=8| issue=2| pages=243–271| s2cid=144023960}}</ref> secret greetings, [[Pejorative|slurs]], or code words and other group-specific symbols associated with the gang's common beliefs, [[ritual]]s, and [[mythologies]] to define and differentiate themselves from other groups and gangs.<ref>"[https://www.fbi.gov/publications/leb/2003/mar2003/mar03leb.htm The Seven-Stage Hate Model] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410113036/http://www.fbi.gov/publications/leb/2003/mar2003/mar03leb.htm |date=2010-04-10 }}", United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation</ref>

As an alternative language, hand-signals, symbols, and slurs in speech, [[graffiti]], print, music, or other mediums communicate specific informational cues used to threaten, disparage, [[taunt]], [[harass]], [[intimidate]], alarm, influence,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://definitions.uslegal.com/r/racketeering-influenced-and-corrupt-organizations-act-rico/ |title=RICO |publisher=Definitions.uslegal.com |access-date=2014-06-18}}</ref> or exact specific responses including obedience, submission, fear, or terror. One study focused on terrorism and symbols states that "[s]ymbolism is important because it plays a part in impelling the [[terrorist]] to act and then in defining the targets of their actions."<ref>"[http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/routledg/swi/2002/00000013/00000001/art00006 Symbolism and Sacrifice in Terrorism]", Authors: J. Dingley; M. Kirk-Smith, Source: Small Wars & Insurgencies, Volume 13, Number 1, Spring 2002, pp. 102-128(27, Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group</ref> Displaying a gang sign, such as the noose, as a symbolic act can be construed as "a threat to commit [[violence]] communicated with the intent to terrorize another, to cause evacuation of a building, or to cause serious public inconvenience, in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience … an offense against property or involving danger to another person that may include but is not limited to recklessly endangering another person, [[harassment]], [[stalking]], ethnic intimidation, and [[criminal mischief]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://definitions.uslegal.com/t/terroristic-threat/ |title=Terroristic Threat Law & Legal Definition |publisher=Definitions.uslegal.com |access-date=2014-06-18}}</ref>

The Internet is one of the most significant media used by gangs to communicate in terms of the size of the audience they can reach with minimal effort and reduced risk. Social media provides a forum for recruitment activities, typically provoking rival gangs through derogatory postings, and to glorify their gang and themselves.<ref name="fbi.gov">[https://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/law-enforcement-bulletin/april_2011/human_sex_trafficking Combating Gangsters Online] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508153251/http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/law-enforcement-bulletin/april_2011/human_sex_trafficking/ |date=2014-05-08 }}, Author: Matthew O'Deane, April 2011, pp. 1-7, Publisher: Federal Bureau of Investigation</ref>

==US impact debate==
Researchers and activists in the United States have debated the true impact of US gangs on crime in the United States, with a 2019 episode of the [[You're Wrong About]] podcast claiming that the perceived increase in gang violence was in fact an overblown moral panic.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gangs - You're Wrong About |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gangs/id1380008439?i=1000465289955 |website=Apple Podcasts |publisher=You're Wrong About |access-date=13 June 2021}}</ref> There have been repeated complaints of bias around the enforcement of gang-related laws asking why Frats and Gangs are treated differently "They're both blamed for predisposing their members to violent acts, but they've sparked radically different public-policy responses."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kendi |first1=Ibram X. |title=What's the Difference Between a Frat and a Gang? |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/03/america-frats-and-gangs/555896/ |access-date=13 June 2021 |publisher=The Atlantic |date=March 20, 2018}}</ref>

Activists have also made the link between a perceived increase in gang activity and the sharp rise in US police budgets<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bronsdon |first1=Conor |title=Gang & police funding thread |url=https://twitter.com/ConorBronsdon/status/1392193531771383809 |website=Twitter |publisher=Conor Bronsdon |access-date=13 June 2021}}</ref> while pointing out rampant corruption in police gang units, such as the [[Rampart scandal]] in the Los Angeles Police Department.

==UK impact debate==
In the [[Gangs in the United Kingdom|UK context]], law enforcement agencies are increasingly focusing enforcement efforts on gangs and gang membership. Debate persists over the extent and nature of gang activity in the UK,<ref name=Goldson>{{cite book|last=Goldson|first=Barry|title=Youth in Crisis? Gangs, Territoriality and Violence|year=2011|publisher=Routledge|location=London|page=9}}</ref><ref name="Cottrell-Boyce">{{cite journal|last=Cottrell-Boyce|first=Joe|title=Ending Gang and Youth Violence: A Critique|journal=Youth Justice|date=December 2013|volume=13|issue=3|pages=193–206|doi=10.1177/1473225413505382|s2cid=147163053}}</ref> with some academics and policy-makers arguing that the current focus is inadvisable, given a lack of consensus over the relationship between gangs and crime.<ref name="Cottrell-Boyce" />

The [[Runnymede Trust]] suggests, despite the well-rehearsed public discourse around youth gangs and gang culture, "We actually know very little about 'gangs' in the UK: about how 'a gang' might be defined or understood, about what being in 'a gang' means&nbsp;... We know still less about how 'the gang' links to levels of youth violence."<ref name=Runnymede>{{cite web|last=Runnymede Trust|title=(Re)thinking Gangs|url=http://www.runnymedetrust.org/uploads/publications/pdfs/RethinkingGangs-2008.pdf|access-date=29 January 2014|archive-date=4 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504134843/http://www.runnymedetrust.org/uploads/publications/pdfs/RethinkingGangs-2008.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Professor Simon Hallsworth argues that, where they exist, gangs in the UK are "far more fluid, volatile and amorphous than the myth of the organized group with a corporate structure".<ref name="Cottrell-Boyce" /> This assertion is supported by a field study conducted by [[Manchester University]], which found that "most within- and between-gang disputes&nbsp;... emanated from interpersonal disputes regarding friends, family and romantic relationships", as opposed to territorial rivalries, and that criminal enterprises were "rarely gang-coordinated&nbsp;... most involved gang members operating as individuals or in small groups."<ref name="Cottrell-Boyce" />

Cottrell-Boyce, writing in the ''Youth Justice'' journal, argues that gangs have been constructed as a "suitable enemy" by politicians and the media, obscuring the wider, structural roots of youth violence. At the level of enforcement, a focus on gang membership may be counterproductive; creating confusion and resulting in a drag-net approach which can criminalise innocent young people rather than focusing resources on serious violent crime.<ref name="Cottrell-Boyce" />

==United States military==
{{main|Gang presence in the United States military}}
Gang members in uniform use their military knowledge, skills and weapons to commit and facilitate various crimes. As of April 2011, the [[National Ground Intelligence Center|NGIC]] has identified members of at least 53 gangs whose members have served in or are affiliated with US military.<ref name="fbi"/>

In 2006, Scott Barfield, a Defense Department investigator, said there is an online network of gangs and extremists:  "They're communicating with each other about weapons, about recruiting, about keeping their identities secret, about organizing within the military."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/07/washington/07recruit.html "Hate Groups Are Infiltrating the Military, Group Asserts"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>

A 2006 ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' article reported that gangs encourage members to enter the military to learn urban warfare techniques to teach other gang members.<ref>[http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_121103636.html CBS2Chicago] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014184138/http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_121103636.html |date=2007-10-14 }} - Chicago Gang Graffiti Showing Up In Iraq</ref> A January 2007 article in the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' reported that gang members in the military are involved in the theft and sale of military weapons, ammunition, and equipment, including body armor. The ''Sun-Times'' began investigating the gang activity in the military after receiving photos of gang graffiti showing up in Iraq.

The FBI's 2007 report on gang membership in the military states that the military's recruit screening process is ineffective, allows gang members/extremists to enter the military, and lists at least eight instances in the last three years in which gang members have obtained military weapons for their illegal enterprises.<ref>[http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=42443&archive=true Stars and Stripes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212084939/http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=42443&archive=true |date=2009-02-12 }} - Army defends recruit screening process</ref>  ''"Gang Activity in the U.S. Armed Forces Increasing"'', dated January 12, 2007, states that street gangs including the Bloods, Crips, [[Black Disciples]], [[Gangster Disciples]], Hells Angels, [[Latin Kings (gang)|Latin Kings]], The 18th Street Gang, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Mexican Mafia, [[Norteños]], [[Sureños]], and Vice Lords have been documented on military installations both domestic and international although recruiting gang members violates military regulations.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070225225340/http://stripes.com/07/feb07/gangs/ncis_gangs.pdf Intelligence Assessment]}} - Gang-Related Activity in the US Armed Forces Increasing</ref>

== See also ==
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
* [[Collective narcissism]]
* [[Criminal tattoo]]
* [[Drug cartel]]
* [[Gang population]]
* [[Gangs in Australia]]
* [[Gangs in Canada]]
* [[Gangs in New Zealand]]
* [[Gangs in South Africa]]
* [[Gangs in the United Kingdom]]
* [[Gangs in the United States]]
* [[Malcolm W. Klein]]
* [[List of criminal enterprises, gangs, and syndicates]]
* [[List of known gang members]]
* [[Organized crime]]
** [[Organized crime in Italy]]
* [[Outlaw motorcycle club]]
* [[Raskol gangs]]
* [[School violence]]
* [[Triad (organized crime)]]
* [[Violent extremism]]
* [[Violent non-state actor]]
* [[War on Gangs]]
}}

== Citations ==
{{Reflist|35em}}

== General and cited references ==
* Collins, Angela M., Scott Menard and David Pyrooz. 2018. "Collective Behavior and the Generality of Integrated Theory: A National Study of Gang Fighting". ''Deviant Behavior'' 39(8):992–1005. {{doi|10.1080/01639625.2017.1395664}}.
* {{Citation|last=Hagedorn|first=John M.|title=A World of Gangs: Armed Young Men and Gangsta Culture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LcMaQQ0wfL0C|place=Minneapolis|publisher=[[University of Minnesota Press]]|year=2008|isbn=978-0816650668}}
* {{Citation|last=O'Deane|first=Matthew D.|title=Gangs: Theory, Practice and Research|url=http://www.lawtechcustompublishing.com/publication.asp?pid=47|place=San Clemente, CA|publisher=Lawtechcustompublishing.com|year=2010|isbn=978-1933778198|access-date=2011-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305003323/http://www.lawtechcustompublishing.com/publication.asp?pid=47|archive-date=2016-03-05|url-status=usurped}}

; Attribution
* {{Free-content attribution
| title = Behind the numbers: ending school violence and bullying
| page numbers = 70
| source = UNESCO
| documentURL = https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000366483
| license statement URL = 
| license = CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline|Gangs (organized crime)}}

{{Gangs}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Gangs| ]]
[[Category:Crime]]
[[Category:Criminology]]
[[Category:Urban decay]]
[[Category:Types of organization]]
[[Category:Group processes]]
[[Category:Organized crime]]
[[Category:Criminal subcultures]]
[[Category:Underground culture]]