1. Julie Barrows, Ph.D. University of Minnesota (612) 363-5656 barr0325@umn.edu Re-Evaluating Minnesota’s Gang Classification System

2. Gang Classification Systems The Development of Minnesota’s System The Development of Minnesota’s System A National Perspective A National Perspective Re-Evaluating Minnesota’s System Re-Evaluating Minnesota’s System

3. Development of MN’s System 1996 killings of Davisha Gillum and Byron Phillips 1996 killings of Davisha Gillum and Byron Phillips Gang Oversight Council – 1997 Gang Oversight Council – 1997 MN Gang Strike Force MN Gang Strike Force Councils of Color Councils of Color Creation of the 10-pt Criteria System Creation of the 10-pt Criteria System Looked to other states Looked to other states Involved process Involved process Goal of objectivity Goal of objectivity

4. MN’s 10-pt Gang Criteria System 1. Admits gang membership or association 2. Is observed to associate on a regular basis with known gang members 3. Has tattoos indicating gang membership 4. Wears gang symbols to identify with a specific gang 5. Is in a photograph with known gang members and/or using gang-related hand signs

5. MN’s 10-pt Gang Criteria System 6. Name is on a gang document, hit list, or gang-related graffiti 7. Is identified as a gang member by a reliable source 8. Arrested in the company of identified gang members or associates 9. Corresponds with known gang members or writes and/or receives correspondence about gang activities 10. Writes about gangs (graffiti) on walls, books, and paper

6. MN’s 10-pt Gang Criteria System 1 criterion indicates suspected membership 1 criterion indicates suspected membership 3 criteria indicates confirmed membership 3 criteria indicates confirmed membership 3 criteria + age (14 or older) + gross misd or felony conviction indicates confirmed and convicted membership 3 criteria + age (14 or older) + gross misd or felony conviction indicates confirmed and convicted membership

7. A National Perspective Barrows and Huff (2009) CPP article Barrows and Huff (2009) CPP article Analyzed legislation of gang definitions in all 50 states Analyzed legislation of gang definitions in all 50 states Another resource: National Gang Center Another resource: National Gang Center http://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/ http://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/ http://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/

8. A National Perspective 16 states define gang member in statute 16 states define gang member in statute 6 states define a gang member as an “individual who actually and in fact belongs to a gang” 6 states define a gang member as an “individual who actually and in fact belongs to a gang” 10 states provide criteria for classification 10 states provide criteria for classification 6 use 2 of +/-7 6 use 2 of +/-7 FL uses 2 of 11 and NH uses 2 of 4 FL uses 2 of 11 and NH uses 2 of 4 VA uses 1 of 3 and KS uses 3 of 8 VA uses 1 of 3 and KS uses 3 of 8

9. A National Perspective All 10 use some combination of: All 10 use some combination of: Resides or frequents gang area Resides or frequents gang area Adopts style of dress Adopts style of dress

10. A National Perspective All 10 use “admits membership” All 10 use “admits membership” Most common in the literature as well Most common in the literature as well KS relies only on the admission or on 3 of their other criteria KS relies only on the admission or on 3 of their other criteria CA also relies only on the admission, provided it is made during the incarceration classification procedure CA also relies only on the admission, provided it is made during the incarceration classification procedure

11. CA’s Classification System Two stand alone criteria points: Two stand alone criteria points: 1. Subject admits during the incarceration process, or 2. Subject is required to register with law enforcement as a gang member per Section 186.30 PC (convicted of a gang-related offense) Or the individual meets 2 of the following: Or the individual meets 2 of the following:

12. CA’s Classification System 1. Admits membership in a non-custodial situation 2. Identified as a gang member by a reliable informant or source 3. Identified as a gang member by an untested informant or source with corroborative evidence 4. Seen wearing gang type clothing

13. CA’s Classification System 5. Seen displaying gang symbols and/or hand signs 6. Identifiable gang tattoos 7. Seen frequenting gang areas 8. Seen affiliating with documented gang members 9. Arrested with known gang members for offenses consistent with usual gang activity

14. Re-Evaluating MN’s System Room for improvement, but no need to re- invent Room for improvement, but no need to re- invent Explain the criteria and provide examples Explain the criteria and provide examples Consult with gang investigators and corrections officials Consult with gang investigators and corrections officials Consult with gang members Consult with gang members Evaluate data in GangNET and the Pointer File Evaluate data in GangNET and the Pointer File

15. Gang Identification Systems Criteria-based classification systems strive for objectivity Criteria-based classification systems strive for objectivity Need to avoid both over- and under- identification Need to avoid both over- and under- identification Gang members commit more crime- more serious and violent crime- than do nongang members Gang members commit more crime- more serious and violent crime- than do nongang members Public policy needs to target gangs for prevention, intervention, and suppression Public policy needs to target gangs for prevention, intervention, and suppression