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Gangs: An International Approach

NCJ Number
188335
Author(s)
Sean Grennan; Marjie T. Britz; Jeffrey Rush; Thomas Barker
Date Published
2000
Length
493 pages
Annotation
This college textbook profiles gangs throughout the world, including their history, territory, and economics.
Abstract
Following three chapters with general information on gangs in history, the definition of a gang, and gang structure and organization, the remaining chapters of the textbook describe specific types of gangs. These include Italian organized crime; outlaw motorcycle gangs; supremacists and militias; street gangs; Jamaican and Nigerian gangs; Chinese gangs; Japanese, Vietnamese, and Korean gangs; Hispanic gangs; Russian and Israeli gangs; and other worldwide organized crime groups. For each gang, information on its history is provided, including how and why members formed the gang. The ethnic, racial, or religious composition of the gang is discussed, along with each gang's initiation rites (if any), length of membership (day-by-day or lifetime), and the availability of upward mobility. The illegal activities of gang members--from filing false insurance claims to kidnapping, terrorism, and murder--are examined in detail. Possible worldwide government participation in gang activity is also explored. 637 references and appended 36 oaths and 36 strategies of the Hung societies, oaths of a Chinese street gang, and a brief of the most active Asian gangs