Youth Gangs
by Michael E. Berumen

My company, Four Star Private Patrol, operates in several gang areas, so it is essential for us to know something about them. Businesses and property owners would be well advised to learn something about them, too.

Youth gangs are as old as society itself. According to the National Youth Gang Center, a gang can be defined as a group of 3 or more people, generally between the ages of 12-24, which possesses a shared sense of identity, often ethnicity or some other bond, and with membership usually indicated by the use of symbols (such as colors, hand signals, and graffiti tags). These gangs have an organizational structure with leaders, and they are often involved in anti-social activity, including delinquency and crime, which can involve theft, vandalism, trespassing, and even violence.

There was a marked increase in gang formation in the 80s and 90s. Youth gangs are often the result of economic dislocation, deindustrialization, and lack of employment opportunities. Individual youths are attracted to gang life for a variety of reasons, not least among them having a sense of belonging providing a structure and purpose to their lives that might otherwise be absent, especially when their family lives are dysfunctional. In addition, young people are easily affected by the archetypical images and fantasies about gang life depicted in movies and music. And, of course, the criminal activity itself can be an attraction, perhaps most notably in the area of drugs or hate crimes (e.g., with self-styled neo-Nazis).

A survey of 6,000 eighth graders conducted in 11 cities found that 11% were currently gang members, with up to 30% in certain locations. One study suggested that the majority of gang members were in their late teens. According to the National Youth Gang Survey, nearly 50% of all gang members are of Hispanic origin; 34% are African-American; and 10% are white. It is estimated that 1/3rd of gang members are female, which is a dramatic increase over prior eras. However, it has also been found that females tend to leave gangs earlier than males.

Statistics show that gang members are responsible for the majority of violent crimes committed by adolescents. For example, in Seattle, 85% of all robberies committed by adolescents were committed by gang members.

Gang membership is likely to take a heavy toll on a young person’s social development and, consequently, his opportunities for success as an adult. Gang members are much more likely to drop out of school; have children while young and out of wedlock; and suffer chronic employment problems. In addition, gang members are much more likely to be the victims of violence than the general population, violence that can lead to disability or death. Obviously, the heavy drug usage that often accompanies gang life can lead to addiction and mental and nervous disorders.

Those of us who must deal with gangs must understand that image is everything to the gang member. Young people are generally self-conscious and concerned about what others think, and this seems especially heightened with gang members who need to appear tough and in control. Obviously, the underlying trait might well be the opposite of this, namely, a sense of insecurity.

The security officer or property owner must be something of a psychologist in dealing with gang members, allowing them to retain their self-esteem by not showing any unnecessary disrespect. Whenever possible, it is best to enlist the gang member as an ally in the cause, politely asking for help in respecting the property, rather than issuing a head-on command, thereby igniting belligerence. Keep in mind, while you might be able to foil a specific activity of one or two youths, the manner in which you do it is important, for they can return in greater numbers or, in the worst case, with weapons. Learn what you can about the gangs who frequent your property area or business location. When necessary, obviously, you should enlist the assistance of law enforcement in handling situations that are likely to escalate out of control.

Michael Berumen is CEO and president of Four Star Private Patrol, Inc. (fourstar@tstonramp.com), which is headquartered in Temecula and provides services throughout Riverside, San Diego, and San Bernardino counties. He is the author of Do No Evil: Ethics with Applications to Economic Theory and Business.