Gangs in America

Chapter 7 introduction Questions 1. What is the definition of a crime? 2. Decisions as to what constitutes a crime are made by whom? 3. People that are victims of crimes are also victims of what? 4. Based on 1996 data, crimes rates are higher in what areas? 5. Males commit almost ___ times as many crimes as females? 6. True or False? Poverty is a very good predictor of crime. 7. What age group among youths commit more violent crimes than any group?

Timeline of Gangs & Political Parties 1787 Federalist Party (1787-1800) 1789 Tammany Hall (Democratic political machine in NYC 1789-1966) 1792 Democratic-Republican Party (1792-1828) 1825 Forty Thieves, Kerryonians 1828 Democratic Pary 1830 Five Points Gangs: Chichesters, Roach Guards, Plug Uglies, Shirt Tails, Dead Rabbits Bowery Gangs: Bowery Boys, American Guards, O'Connell Guards, Atlantic Guards, True Blue Americans 1834 Whig Party (1834-1855) 1840 Water Front Gangs: Daybreak Boys, Buckoos, Hookers, Swamp Angels, Slaughter Housers, Short Tails, Patsy Conroys, Border Gang. 1850 Native American Party (Know-Nothing, American Party) 1854 Republican Party 1866 Whyos 1868 Hell's Kitchen Gang Rag Gang 1870 Gas House Gang,Hartley Mob,Molasses Gang,Duch Mob 1895 Eastmans(Monk) and Five Pointers Gang Wars Gophers Hudson Dusters 1899 Tong Wars: On Leongs, Hip Sings 1920 18th Amendment Prohibition created a new era of gangsters and organized crime! (Antecedents of Five Pointers and other gangs)

Gangs have been in existence for as long as there have been inhabitants of this world. The word thug dates back to India in the year 1200 AD and it refers to a gang of criminals (Thugz) that roamed the country pillaging towns in their course. These Thugz had their own symbols, hand signs, rituals and slang 1800's, Americans were fascinated with gangs and gangsters James Gang and outlaws most notorious gang during this era formed in New York City during the late 1890's and early 1900's. This gang, called the Five Points Gang, because of its home turf being situated in the Five Points (Bowery) Section of Lower Manhattan

mobsters such as Capone, flourished during the 1920's and 30's gangs became a symbol of lower income neighborhoods and ethnic ghettos During the early 1940's, Mexican gangs formed along the west coast of the United States By the late 1960's and early 1970's, Crips gangs in Los Angeles were so violent and entrenched in ghetto neighborhoods that rival Bloods gangs formed to challenge the strength of the Crips By the late 1980's and early 1990's, drug networks were in full swing

Most gangs are formed from people with common interests and closed to others Names, rules, emblems, rituals, dress Ages 8 to 50 Youth gangs are concerned with turf Others are focused on drugs, firearms, many criminal activities Use graffiti to tag there areas Lives of members are filed with violence, criminal records, drugs and alcohol

Many join who are living in poor conditions, self-esteem issues, little adult participation in life Some join to feel a sense of belonging Majority are male There are a number of female gangs – usually subsets of male dominated gangs Homework: problem 7.5

Links to Gang Information Facts about Gang Violence FBI Gang info. Pocono Record Article Amish Gangs