CONVERSATIONS WITH GANG MEMBERS ARE QUOTED TO ILLUSTRATE THE PEER GROUP PRESSURES WHICH MAKE IT ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOUNG BOYS (AND, INCREASINGLY, YOUNG GIRLS) TO AVOID GANG MEMBERSHIP. THE SENSE OF BELONGING AND THE STATUS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH MEMBERSHIP ARE EMPHASIZED. THE RECOLLECTIONS OF MIDDLE-AGED MEN ARE USED TO ILLUSTRATE THE POWERFUL INFLUENCE OF GANG MEMBERSHIP AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN FORMING THE YOUNG MAN'S IMAGE OF HIMSELF. THE LOS ANGELES, CALIF., POLICE ESTIMATE THAT 40 TO 60 MURDERS A YEAR CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO GANG WARFARE. THIS IS THE TIP OF AN ICEBERG. STILL MORE SERIOUS ARE THE ASSAULTS WHICH INFLICT PERMANENT PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL DAMAGE. IN JUST 2 MONTHS IN 1 OF LOS ANGELES' 150 POLICE JURISDICTIONS, GANGS ACCOUNTED FOR 2 MURDERS, 9 KNIFINGS, 6 FISTFIGHTS, 19 SHOOTINGS, 1 HOLDUP WITH A GUN, 6 ROBBERIES, 1 GRAND AUTO THEFT, 5 ASSAULTS WITH BASEBALL BATS, PIPES, BRICKS, OR BOTTLES, AND 1 RAPE. CITY OFFICIALS ARE URGED TO DEVOTE ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO MEET THE PROBLEM. COMMUNITY AGENCIES WHICH ARE NOT FULFILLING THEIR GOALS SHOULD NOT BE REFUNDED. YOUTH WORKERS ARE OFTEN INEXPERIENCED AND UNQUALIFIED. THEY SHOULD HAVE AS MUCH PREPARATION AS POLICE OFFICERS OR SOLDIERS. FULL COMMITTMENT BY TOP OFFICIALS, ADEQUATE FUNDING, AND GOOD PERSONNEL PROVIDING NEEDED COMMUNITY SERVICES ARE CALLED THE KEY TO AMELIORATION OF THE STREET GANG PROBLEM. PERSONS FROM THE AREA SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING TO ENSURE THAT VIABLE ALTERNATIVES ARE OFFERED TO GANG MEMBERSHIP. (GLR)