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New Breed of Youth Gang Is on the Prowl and a Bigger Threat Than Ever

NCJ Number
110953
Journal
American School Board Journal Volume: 173 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1986) Pages: 19-24,35
Author(s)
D Stover
Date Published
1986
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article describes the current trends of gang activities, the presence of gangs in schools, and how school officials and community leaders can deal with the problem.
Abstract
In the past two decades, some disturbing trends have appeared that make gang activity a concern for an increasing number of school boards. Urban sprawl, population growth, high local unemployment, and declining local economies are carrying street gangs out of the inner city and into smaller urban areas and suburbs. Gang members are increasingly involved in drug dealing and criminal activities and are more prone to violence. Gang members in schools are disruptive, intimidating to students and teachers, and pose a serious challenge to the ability to maintain order and safety. The conditions that breed gangs are poverty, racial diversion, broken families, a lack of recreational facilities, and high unemployment for both teens and adults. One characteristic most gang members share is the reason they join a gang in the first place -- to fill a vacuum in their lives, offering status, a sense of self-worth, and a place of acceptance. High school dropout rates feed gangs with restless recruits. Schools can fight the gang problem by acknowledging the problem, hiring strong principals, using a hard-line approach to discipline, tightening security, and keeping up with gang activities and rivalries. A community antigang effort is needed to stem gang activity that affects schools. Greater cooperation between school boards and communities will lessen the impact of street gangs. 3 photographs.

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