At times graphically violent, this video starkly portrays the evolution of the American criminal street gang, including a look at their ideology, structure, and functioning, as well as a review of the history of criminal street gangs and the criminal justice response to their activities. The facilitator and her expert guests guide the viewers through the inner world of gangs, drawing on expert research and poignant video clips and documentaries that illustrate the violence and crimes associated with criminal street gangs. One expert guest describes criminal street gangs as urban terrorists and urges law enforcement agencies and citizens to view gang members as terrorists. The history of criminal street gangs is broken down into five distinct historical phases before the video turns to a portrayal of who gang members are, focusing on the difference between the stereotype of a gang member and the reality of gang membership. Interviews with gang members and law enforcement experts provide insight into the motivation for gang members to enter and stay in a gang as well as the consequences of gang membership on youths, their friends, family, and communities. The major national gangs are discussed, with MS-13 emerging as the fastest growing and most violent gang in the United States, particularly on the East coast. The video also discusses the problem of female gangs and distinguishes between four types of gangs: territorial, predatory, social, and scavenger. The law enforcement response to gang activity is described with a particular focus on the RICO Act and RICO investigation strategies, which allow investigators to target professional criminals involved in a pattern of criminal activity.