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CHICANO GANGS IN THE EAST L A (LOS ANGELES, CA) BARRIO

NCJ Number
64056
Journal
California Youth Authority Quarterly Volume: 32 Issue: 3 Dated: (FALL 1979) Pages: 5-13
Author(s)
D M TORRES
Date Published
1979
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES ACTIVITIES OF CHICANO GANGS IN EAST LOS ANGELES, CALIF.; A YOUTH AUTHORITY PROJECT HAS BEEN UNDERWAY FOR SEVERAL YEARS TO DIVERT THESE GROUPS INTO PRODUCTIVE AND LAWABIDING ACTIVITIES.
Abstract
A DISTINCTIVE FEATURE OF EAST LOS ANGELES IS THE PRESENCE OF NUMEROUS YOUTH GANGS OR BARRIOS WHICH FEUD OVER TERRITORIES. THE TERRITORIES OF THE 18 GANGS VARY CONSIDERABLY, SOME COVERING A FEW BLOCKS AND OTHERS AS LARGE AS A SQUARE MILE IN SIZE. THE RELATION OF THE BARRIOS TO THE COMMUNITY AND ITS FORMAL ORGANIZATIONS HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN ONE OF A HIGH DEGREE OF ALIENATION. WHEN THE YOUTH AUTHORITY'S GANG VIOLENCE REDUCTION PROJECT BEGAN ITS WORK, THE PROJECT FOUND THAT SERVICE AGENCIES IN THE COMMUNITY GENERALLY DID NOT WORK WITH HARDCORE GANG MEMBERS. HOWEVER, SINCE 1978 MORE AGENCIES INCLUDE GANG MEMBERS AMONG THEIR CLIENTS. THE PROJECT HAS OPENED MANY COMMUNITY FACILITIES, SUCH AS PARKS AND OTHER RESIDENTIAL CENTERS, TO GANG MEMBERS. GENERALLY, HOWEVER, GANGS' RELATIONS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE NEGATIVE. GANGS FORM A SUBSOCIETY OF THEIR OWN WHICH SEEMS TO EXIST JUST BENEATH THAT OF THE DOMINANT SOCIETY. SUBSTANCE ABUSE IS WIDESPREAD IN THE BARRIOS AS IS CRIME, OFTEN VIOLENT CRIME. FEUDING AMONG GANGS IS CONSTANT AND ATTACKS CAN INCLUDE USE OF KNIVES AND GUNS; FIGHTS USUALLY OCCUR WHEN INDIVIDUALS ARE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS. SINCE ANGER AND HATRED FUEL THE FEUDS, THESE FEELINGS ALSO MAKE IT EASIER FOR INDIVIDUALS TO COMMIT ROBBERIES AND ASSAULTS. AS LONG AS BARRIOS FEEL SURROUNDED BY A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT, THE GANG TRADITION AND VIOLENCE WILL CONTINUE. (MJW)

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