“The Emerging Problem of Preppie Gangs in America” Dr. Gordon A. Crews Department of Criminal Justice Jacksonville State University

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) “Preppie Gangs”  Late 1980s, youths from affluent, upscale communities started forming their own gangs  Numbers still aren’t great, but threat can be  Money, mobility, & education deadly combination  Natural resistance to label groups as “gangs”  Stereotypical image that this only occurs in economically depressed areas  Many times we don’t want to see (property values, tax base, etc …)

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) PREPPIE GANG  Youth fitting the "preppie" definition  From higher income, safer neighborhoods  Generally considered of higher intelligence  Less structure than most gangs  Involved in border-line criminal activities, or living on the edge  "Rich white kids" with many options

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) “Preppie Gangs”  Research Has Found Three Traditional Types:  Delinquent Gangs  Mimicking Other Street Gangs, Desire Profit and Lifestyle  Ideological Gangs  Specific Ideology, or Belief System  Occultic Gangs  Occult or Other Belief System Connections

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) CHARACTERISTICS OF PREPPIE GANGS  intimidation of peers and adults  displaying arrogance  seeking attention  being different, cool  being a part of a group  imitating members of musical groups  excitement; to keep from being bored Demonstrated behaviors within the context of their schools, homes, neighborhoods, and sub- culture:

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) CHARACTERISTICS OF PREPPIE GANGS  using technology to communicate  employing their intellectual and creative talents  intimidation of peers and adults  acquiring drugs and alcohol  practicing an "alternative belief" Demonstrated behaviors within the context of their schools, homes, neighborhoods, and sub- culture:

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) oRevenge oAcquire attention oAcquire "respect" oAchieve immortality oEnhance ego, self- esteem PSYCHOLOGICAL

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) oFulfill their fantasy oRelease tension and anger oOutlet of intellectual and creative talents oFill a "void" in their lives oIntimidation of others PSYCHOLOGICAL

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) oExert power over their lives and manipulate others oBeing a part of a group oBeing part of a "cause" oDefying/Challenging society's traditional beliefs and expectations of youth SOCIOLOGICAL

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) oNeed for more money (in some instances) oLink with groups/gangs to secure drugs, contraband, and other economic interests ECONOMIC

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) PREPPIE GANG ACTIVITIES Important concepts:  very intelligent, not necessarily smart  very deceptive and secretive  access to money to finance their activities  activities, both criminal and social, that are similar to traditional street gangs

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) PREPPIE GANG ACTIVITIES  Intimidation of youth not in their own sub- culture or group:  Minorities  “Inferiors“  Outsiders  Geeks, Nerds

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) PREPPIE GANG ACTIVITIES  Generating excitement or "living on the edge" often taken to the extreme  intake of dangerous drugs  creating drug combinations  drive-by shootings for thrills  alternative sexual activities  combining Satanism, Vampirism  some form of Witchcraft  create their own particular cult or belief system

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) PREPPIE GANG ACTIVITIES  Much emphasis on appropriate dress and grooming  style of haircut  type of jewelry  color combinations  brand-names  logos

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) PREPPIE GANG ACTIVITIES  Use of personal electronic communication devices  Computers – to research various topics associated with their beliefs  Cell Phones, Pagers – to communicate among group members

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) INTELLIGENT, CREATIVE, & CRAFTY Preppies can be very intimidating and frustrating to authorities because their parents are often very influential economically and politically, and have access to the best lawyers to influence the political and judicial process

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) ATTITUDE OF PARENTS/GUARDIANS VERY DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH Anger Frustration Embarrassment Humiliation Complete Denial Clueless Blame Peers' Parents Blame Authorities Blame Themselves Blame Peers

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) DANGERS OF PREPPIE GANGS odrawn into a cult or deviant group osexually transmitted diseases ounwanted pregnancy oruined health ofamily conflict ofinancial drain on family and/or society

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) DANGERS OF PREPPIE GANGS ounmotivated to improve self or life style oalcoholism odrug addiction ocriminal record ojail and/or prison time osevere mental and emotional problems

ACJS 2001 ~ Washington, DC (Dr. Gordon A. Crews) One of the biggest problems we are seeing is … their negative impact on other students!