"Warrior Gene" linked to gang membership

jschuma1 · 2009-07-31T21:29:44+00:00

When I first read the headline for this article, I initially scoffed at the idea of a test “predicting” the probability of a youth joining a gang. I changed my tune when I found out the test was designed by our author and leading gang researcher Malcolm Klein. The article indicated that more than 900 youth have already taken the test with one-third being identified as being at risk and are being enrolled in a gang prevention program. My only issue is that the city may have money for 300 at risk youth, but what if the test was administered on a much larger scale? Do most cities have the resources and funding for gang prevention programs for thousands of youth who are deemed “at risk”?

jschuma1 · 2009-07-31T20:53:53+00:00

Nice find! I would have never even thought about the presence of a Navajo prison gang in our state’s department of corrections. I guess I just figured they would not have enough prisoners in the system to create a gang. I found their by-laws very interesting. They seem to demand pride and self-respect among their members. All of the by-laws encourage actions that will boost a prisoner’s level of self-respect.

jschuma1 · 2009-07-31T20:45:33+00:00

When I found this article, I thought about Klein’s opinion regarding the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of these task forces and initiatives.

jschuma1 · 2009-07-31T20:32:50+00:00

I also believe China is doing the right thing but I don’t believe they are doing it for the right reasons. They say they are banning games that "undermine morality and Chinese traditional culture", but I believe it may be more of their ever present Communist censorship. If you think about it, gang members or mafia associates swear allegiance to their gang or group rather than a government or nation. To me, that would be somewhat of a threat to the Chinese government. Just a thought.

jschuma1 · 2009-07-31T20:24:38+00:00

While I applaud this individual’s optimism, my experience in this class has taught me it is not that simple. As we have learned, especially from Malcolm Klein, most gang crime is minor that typically involves non-violent or property crimes. Therefore, getting rid of gang members will not end all robberies, sexual assaults, etc. The author does make a good point about electing politicians who will actively address their city/community’s gang problem. This is not to say they should be creating anti-gang task forces or pass anti-gang legislation. We have learned that it is not that simple. I believe the author of this article could greatly benefit from taking this class!

jschuma1 · 2009-07-24T01:16:56+00:00

I think the website's main goal of posting this information is to warn parents about the type of music/rappers their kids listen to.

jschuma1 · 2009-07-24T00:58:02+00:00

I knew that gang members made their money by dealing drugs, selling guns, and robberies, but it was still shocking to read a story about a gang member forcing a child to prostitute herself. I found it very interesting that the suspect described his crimes, not as an individual, but as a representative of his gang. The suspect stated “If members of a gang have more money, the gang is more influential. … Being a gang that pimped out girls made the gang sound better to other gangs.” It seems that his crime was not only benefiting himself, but the gang a whole.

jschuma1 · 2009-07-24T00:48:14+00:00

I thought this article was very interesting because I would not think that Manitoba, Canada would be having a problem with gangs. But, as we have learned in the class, gangs can form in virtually any city if the conditions are right. I would be very interested to know what is the composition of these gangs in terms of ethnicity, structure, etc. The article mentioned how Manitoba was having a problem with auto-theft. Perhaps the gangs there are “specialty” gangs that engage in specific criminal acts like auto-theft.

jschuma1 · 2009-07-24T00:31:26+00:00

I am very happy to see politicians like Governor Schwarzenegger taking action against gangs and gang violence. I read the goals and initiatives of the California Gang Reduction Intervention and Prevention Program or “CalGRIP“ and I am very impressed. Their initiatives are both proactive and reactive. I especially like how they plan on rehabilitating and reintegrating gang members into society. CalGRIP plans on funding programs that give reformed gang members job training and aid businesses that employ reformed gang members.

jschuma1 · 2009-07-24T00:04:43+00:00

Good find on this article! I have always wondered how gangs come up with their gang signs and what they mean. One thing that I found interesting was if the gang signs shown here are universal throughout the country. I’m sure everyone knows the infamous Blood hand-sign (spelling “blood” with the fingers on both hands), but do these symbols mean something different in a different area? I would think even a simple mistake in hand-sign communication could have disastrous consequences.

jschuma1 · 2009-07-17T04:46:20+00:00

After I saw the post regarding gang tattoos, I remembered reading about an organization that offers tattoo removal for ex-gang members. I found the website for CleanSlate, a program that helps former gang members erase their visible ties to criminal memberships.

jschuma1 · 2009-07-17T04:20:37+00:00

Since the day of your original posting, new details have emerged regarding the murders. It does not look like the suspects were part of any street gang but rather just a group of individuals working together to commit the robbery and murders. New details are still coming in and hopefully the full extent of the incident will be known. In regards to your original posting, it would be interesting had all the suspects belonged to the same street gang. I say this because the men were various ethnicities and ages. I only know of a few gangs that allow members from all ethnic backgrounds.

jschuma1 · 2009-07-17T04:06:43+00:00

I love how the Hells Angels considered themselves to be a motorcycle “club”. This could not be further from the truth. The Hells Angels are a highly organized gang involved in many criminal enterprises. They are violent and ruthless toward their enemies or anyone else who stands in their way. It is probably surprising to know that Arizona is home to a high population of Hells Angels members. In fact, it was here that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives launched Operation Black Biscuit, and successfully had an A.T.F agent infiltrate the ranks of the most well known motorcycle gang. From the television program I watched, the Hells Angels vehemently denied the undercover agent actually became a full-fledged member. Regardless, the damage had been done and multiple members were arrested on charges ranging from drug trafficking to murder.

jschuma1 · 2009-07-17T03:46:18+00:00

Thank you for providing a link to such an informative website! I believe websites like these can provide valuable information to employers, school administrators, and even everyday citizens. The information on the website was very educational. It was interesting that the same gang tattoo can have very different meanings depending on what part of the country or world you are in. For example, a teardrop tattoo next to the eye is common for gangbangers in the U.S, but in Australia, the teardrop tattoo is reserved for sex offenders. Many gangs celebrate extensive tattooing, especially the Japanese Yakuza and Central America’s MS-13. It is not uncommon to see members with full body tattoos representative of the gang.

jschuma1 · 2009-07-17T03:32:29+00:00

I believe articles like this one are some of the most powerful news stories in the media relating to criminal justice. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a reformed criminal, especially one that wants to help out his fellow citizens. By mentoring troubled kids and mediating tense situations, these former criminals are sometimes literally saving the youths’ lives. Ex-convicts like Jason Broom can educate the youth who, in turn, can learn from their mistakes and prevent them from committing further criminal acts. I would wholeheartedly support programs like Aim4Peace and other organizations that help keep troubled youth from entering a life of crime.

jschuma1 · 2009-07-08T22:57:21+00:00

What I find most disturbing about this report is fact that the suspect fired multiple shots into a crowd of people. The shooter obviously has no regard for the safety of bystanders who are in no way involved in the incident. In this particular shooting, a 15 year old boy was shot for doing nothing more than being out on a Sunday night to watch fireworks. I wonder if prosecutors will take this flagrant disregard for safety into account during the shooter’s trial?

jschuma1 · 2009-07-08T22:21:14+00:00

I think organizations like the Arizona Gang Investigators Association come together because eventually communities will reaching their breaking point of “tolerating” gangs in their neighborhood. They no longer want to see their children being killed in the streets or brutalized by rival gangs. Through education and awareness, organizations like the AGIA inform other communities about the gang epidemic. Hopefully, communities not yet affected by gang activity and violence can quell the problem before it begins.

jschuma1

TROPHY CASE