CONTROLLING GANG ACTIVITY IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Gang related crime is a major social and criminal justice problem in Los Angeles County (Brantley and DiRosa, 1994, pp. 1 6). In the face of numerous initiatives from all levels of government, this activity has continued to flourish. This research presents the results of a study designed to develop information that will facilitate the formulation of a program that will effectively control gag related criminal activity in Los Angeles County.
Since 1979, gang related homicides in Los Angeles County have increased over 250 percent (Brantley and DiRosa, 1994, pp. 1 6). Other types of violent crime also increased markedly. The Federal Bureau of Investigation implemented two programs designed to control gang related crime in the county the Major Gang Initiative and Operation Safe Streets. The City of Los Angeles launched Operation HAMMER. Los Angeles County and the State of California continue to devote massive resources to combating gang related crime in the county. Youth activists, community organizers, and gang representatives organized so called peace talks (Cotton, 1992, pp. 443 444). None of these efforts, however, has led to long term reductions in the incidence of crime related to gangs.
This study was designed to develop information that will facilitate the development of initiatives that will have higher probabilities of success in the control of gang related criminal activities than have been achieved by earlier and existing programs with similar objectives. The findings of this research also provide a clearer understanding of the social forces at work among the young people of Los Angeles County.
Literature relevant to the research purpose of this study is reviewed. The findings of this literature review are presented in discussions that address trends in gang related crime, police responses to gang related crime, and judicial responses to gang related crime.<...