“The cops don’t care and what’s best, they don’t know anything about us. Hotel security has no idea what’s going on. Gypsies are running their scams every day and no one is the wiser.”
While our children are safer in school than they are in many other settings, they are often far less safe than they should, and could, be.
Looking back at this year, street gang behaviors have changed little. However, those of us who work the street must have noticed a few unique changes in the types of gang alliances, memberships and the crimes in which some street gangs have been involved.
Many of today's "youth groups" have been heavily influenced by the music scene. Of all the movements, one in particular, Straight Edge, still maintains strong ties with the music world.
Like other street groups, party crews are affected by changing trends, new members joining, older members leaving and technology. One thing to remember is that most party crew members do not seek the violence that is found on the street.
To combat the gang problem, use the components of prevention, suppression and intervention.
Even Sheriff Andy Taylor of Mayberry knew it better to be underestimated by his adversaries.
We have for years debated the growth of gangs. From interviewing hard-core gang members in and out of prison, there seems to be a pattern that emerges.
The fastest-growing gangs in the country today are Hybrid Mexican street gangs. Hybrid gangs have broken away from traditional membership rules based on gender and race.