05 Dec How serious is the street gang problem?
rder Instructions
-The problem of violence between members of
street gangs in New York City
Part One: SERIOUSNESS
How serious is the street gang problem?
What are the most powerful street gangs in New York City these days?
How many incidents of stabbing, shootings, and killings took place in recent years?
How many people are involved in street gang activity?
(Try to get the latest statistics).
Is the scope of the problem growing or diminishing over time?
(Try to determine if there are any
changes over the last ten years or so, according to estimates or reports).
Part Two: RELEVANCE OF THEORIES
What are some of the reasons why certain individuals become offenders in this criminal activity? Discuss some crime theories studied in class
that help us to understand why some people join street gangs.
Part Three: CRIMINAL JUSTICE “SOLUTIONS”
What kinds of law enforcement strategies (policing, prosecution, punishment)
are currently being used to reduce this criminal activity?
Is there any evidence of their effectiveness?
Why are gang databases so controversial?
Part Four: ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES
Is the problem of street gang violence being handled in a different way in other big cities?
As an alternative to the criminal justice approach, what kinds of improvements in economic and social conditions also might reduce this illegal activity?
