Gangs in Philadelphia? (Remote, due 4/12 at 2PM-5 points)
In recent years there has been much discussion about violence committed by young people in Philadelphia. When this violence takes place in groups there also arises a discussion about gangs in our city. While some media folks and others say there are gangs, our Police Commissioner has stated otherwise.and in fact, has stated there are no gangs in Philadelphia.
What we learn from this chapter is that making a decision about the existence of gangs depends on the definition you are using. After you have read chapter 8 and reviewed the various definitions of gangs on page 239, respond to the following assignment.
Using two of those definitions of gangs, decide if their are gangs in our city (according to the particular definintions and your personal observations). Be specific about the content of each definition and be specific as to why you think there are or are not gangs in Philadelphia. Since the definitions vary, with one definition you may say yes, with another you may say no, but you need an explanation based on each definition.
posted by ProfessorQuinnCCP @ 10:41 PM
22 Comments:
According to the Walter Miller's definition of teen gangs I would have to say that these types of gangs exist in Philadelphia. This gang is a self-formed group of friends who share the same interest. They have a leader who people reconize and look up too. They also come together for a specific purpose. They have control over a particular area and are involved with illegal activities. This gang sounds like our local drug dealers. Drug dealers usually hang out together and work for the same person and claim the terrority with which they deal drugs at.
I beleive that the National Youth Gang Center gangs also exists in Philadelphia. They sound like the regular nieghborhood gangs who usually start out in their nieghborhhod playground. They are self-formed and the ages range from 12-24. They have a gang name and follow the same style of clothes. They may have hand signs to identify themselves or write graffiti. They are involved in delinquent behavior.
In my opinion according to Desmond Cartwright’s definition of a gang we do have gangs in Philadelphia. A group of people who meet face to face and whose existence and activities are considered an actual or potential threat to social order. This definition could relate to the drug dealers that are out on the corners. They meet face to face their existence and activities are considered a threat to the social order.
The National Youth Gang Center definition also means there are gangs in Philadelphia. There are groups of people ages 12-24 that are self formed they have a name for their group they wear certain clothes and also they have certain hand signs (hand shake) that they give each other. Not only that they are also involved in some type of criminal behavior.
According to Frederick Thracher's study of gang that groups of youth develop spontanously to meet play fun and adventure ths activites sometime leads to delinquent acts. I totaly agree wth this view because if you look at our soceity nowadays and the way the kids gathered themselves together from playing then to comitting minor crime which then escalate to violent and crime and sometime murder, they start this from their neighboorhood which advance to the nest and nest neiboorhood doing drugs, shop lifting etc.this make me belive their is gang in our city.because this are what we see and hear in our society everyday.
1. -If there are a group of youths as discribed by the national youth gange center the I would have to say yes there are ganges in my city. Just by the symbols, garfiti, hand signs and their involvement in criminal activity.
-By Malcolm Klein definition I would yes that gangs difinitly exsists in my city. If youths are getting a negative responce by law enforcement agencies then that is a gang issue.
According to the description of gangs given in the book by Miller, yes I do believe there are gangs in Philadelphia. Ever neighborhood in Philadelphia has a local gang. Where groups of kids hang out. There is a structure of limits where gangs can and can not sell drugs. Most of them tend to stay in there limits of their turf. Each gang has its own sign, usually telling where they are from. Members of a gang have the sign/symbol to rep, some have it tattooed on them where it is noticeable.
My personal observation agrees that there are gangs in Philadelphia. Just from growing up in Manayunk, even though it has a low crime rate, there are gangs, each gang had its own sign, colors, corners and also had tattoos with there street corners labeled on there bodies. Each would fight for there grounds, and what they believed in.
Related to the definition from David Curry and Irving Spergel. I would make a conclusion that these type of gangs are in Philadelphia. This gang has a group of youth who have criminal records and who are well organized. This gang also has leadership and membership rules. This gang also committes crimes such as drug trafficking, gang fighting and burglary on a daily basis. This gang reminds me of local groups in Philadelphia that are committing these same type of crimes.
I also beleive that James Short is also a gang that is in Philadelphia. Most of the Philadelphia gangs are organized and meet on a daily basis. Also this gang isn't supervised by adults. All of the Philadelphia gangs are not being supervise by adults.
According to the text, a gang is a group of youths who come together to engage in delinquent acts. Well using this defection we do have gangs in Philadelphia. If you look around on street corners in the city then you will see that most of them are filled with kids in groups plotting their next criminal act .No. most of the crimes they commit are not serious ones, but their acts are still delinquent, which by this defection makes them gangs.
Using Frederick Thrasher’s defection of a gang (Delinquent groups that fills a crack in the social fabric and matins standard group practices) then once again we do have gangs in Philadelphia. Theses kids have all the qualities to make them by defection a gang. They are always recurring new members, they have goals to be come the next big think in the drug business, and you can look and tell that their assigned roles within the groups.
According to Walter Miller's definition of Teen Gangs in Philadelphia, peers come together and share the same interests, have"well developed lines of authority."(C.Schicor)p.239 As well as engaging in the same activities mostlty to achieve illegal activity. I include my opinion that teen gangs in philadelphia do not sxist exactly the way that Walter Miller is stating that they do. I know that "gangs" of males come together in my neighborhood and they smoke weed and sell drugs together but they do not have specific ranks in who is superior to the other. They look at eachother as brothers so to say rather then to really take time out and elect the president of the "22nd street" gang and secretary and so on. I have to add that the Gangs that existed about 25 years ago have ranking among their peers in their gang, but I really do believe that gangs do not exsit that way. They also do not mark their territory in my neighborhood. The only problem with that is that some gangs in my philadelphia only find it a problem when someone from another side of the neighborhood comes and sell some drugs on their street but that doesnt even really exist any more either.
I do belive that the national youth gang center gangs also do exist in philadelphia. I think that it starts out at a young age and all of the kids around the neighborhood go to the same neighborhood school. I think that is where most so called juvenile gangs start.
Discussing the definition of gangs that Walter Miller uses I really think that theyexist in philadelphia because you see these types of gropus of people hanging out in all of our neighborhoods. He defined a gang as a groups of peers who by their own decision started being around one another and they shared the same interests. His definition goes on to explain how important boundaries, rules,and who the leader was. I also say it is a true definition because unlike some of the members in a gang follow rules and regulations within their home it is greatly appreciated within the gangs as a way to feel loved and appreciated to each of the gang members. Walter miller also states that members in gangs engage in criminal activity together to feel in control over people, places, and things that they are around.
I do not agree with the National Youth Gang Center's definition of gangs because a lot of children enter gangs younger than the ages of twelve and fourteen. They share the same ideas within the realm of the gang , but otherwise do not dress the same as the members when apart from the members. A gang can also just be a group of chidren who hang out with each other without wanting to create any mishief just wanting to be a part of something that is important and shows them love they are not getting from anyone or any place else.
Walter Miller`s definition of a teen gang makes the most sense to me. You have a group of people with similar interests, whether they join for different reasons or not, who have leadership positions, territory wars and illegal activity. For example, you have drug dealers with different ranks. When they first start, they start out on "the grave shift" and as they work their way up by proving themselves, their status is lifted and respect and priveleges are greater. Once they reach a certain status, they no longer have to stand on corners. Instead they have the people under them to do it. Gang members also wear specific symbols or get tatoos to show off what gang they are apart of.
The National youth gang center gangs do exist in philadelphia in almost every neighborhood. These are self-formed, self-proclaimed delinquents who range from the ages of 12-24.
According to Walter Millers definition of a gang, i would have to say yes to there being gangs in philadelphia. This group is a group of friends and family who conduct in illegal activity such as dealing drugs or any way they go by getting money.These people have a leader(old head or OG) which is someone they look up to. They control certain blocks and neighborhoods. Basically these are a group organized drug dealers.
The National Youth Gang Center aspect to gangs also exist in Philadelphia. they do have an age range from 12 to 24.there are usually 3 or more members in these gangs. they make up names, like 3 letters that mean something. their hand signs are handshakes and they also do graffiti. and they are also involved in delinquent and criminal activities.
Walter Miller's definition of a gang is a self-formed association of peers, bound together by mutual interests, with identifiable leadership,well-developed lines of authority, and other organizational features, who act in concert to achieve a specific purpose or purposes,which generally include the conduct of illegal activity and control over a particular territory, facility, or type of enterprise. In reading this definition, I would have to say that yes there are gangs in Philadelphia. These gangs would be all of the drug dealers who deal and hang-out in specific areas. They all seem to have one or a few identifiable leaders who they report to and get there "product" from,and they take over specific turfs/territory designated only for their group's illegal selling of narcotics.
I would have to say that there were no gangs in Philadelphia defined by the G. david Curry and Irving Spergel definition. This definition says that gangs engage in a range of crime but with significantly more violence and a tradition of turf, colors, signs, and symbols. I dont believe that these types of gangs exist in Philadelphia because Philadelphia gangs try and be a little more discreet and only identifiable amongst themselves and other gangs. And Philadlephia gangs have a little more focus on drugs than on violence.
After reading the definitions, I would have to go with the National Youth Gang Center. I would agree that youth gang is commonly thought of as a self-formed association of peers having the following characteristics: three or more members generally ages 12to 24; a gang name and some sense of identity, generally indicated by such symbols as style of clothing, graffiti, and hand signs; some degree of permanence and organization; and an elevated level of involvement in delinquent or criminal activity.
Walter Miller A self-formed association of peers, bound together by mutual interests, with identifiable leadership, well-developed lines of authority, and other organizational features, who act in concert to achieve a specific purpose or purposes, which generally include the conduct of illegal activity and control over a particular territory, facility, or type of enterprise.
The reason that I agreement with these two definition is that when a group of youths stand alone committing illegal activities such as drug selling if they suspect someone is selling on their territory this person will be confronted and dealt with in a negative way. They report to someone who tells them that this is the way things are going to occur in a certain radius or area. I've seen juvenile get dealt with or vice-versa over a corner that they felt they owned. Never will that corner be occupied by anyone outside the group. Even though a name for this group may not be apparent doesn't mean that they are not a gang. The reason Philadelphia might not think that gangs exist is because they are looking for them to stand out like the Blood or the Crips. That would make it to easy. Believe it or not they exist here to. It doesn't take a name, appearance, hand signs to be considered a gang. What make a gang are the commitment, respect, and loyalty to your peers in such a way that following the rules is understood by all involved.
According to Malcolm Klein a gang has to be named and members of the gang has to have been involved in a number of delinquent acts. In the city of Philadelphia there are plenty of gangs that fits Malcolm Klein definition. Inside Martain Luther King high school there are many names of groups of teens that hang together and ingage in fights with groups of other teens from different neighborhoods. They have such names as C-block which is a symbol of the neighborhood that they live also there is a group called 66 ave. The list goes on. These groups of kids has beat other to the point of that some were hospitalized.
James Short say that gangs are groups ok kids that meet regularity and are unsupervised. As I explaind in my earlyer statement About the Gangs in MLK high school theses kids meet regulary outside of school and go over rules that needs to be followed to stay an active member of the gang. They make plans on who they will attack others. The resons why people may feel that there are no gangs in Philadelphia is because they are not as known as the bloods and creeps.
In Philadelphia we have a large problem with violence. Sometimes this violence is committed by one and sometimes by a group of individuals. However, when compared to the definitions set forth by those who’ve done research I cannot call these groups in Philadelphia gangs. They may call themselves gangs, but they lack several key features of a gang. According to G.David and Irving Spergel a gang would need a "framework of norms, values in respect to mutual supports, colors, signs, and symbols". In Philadelphia we may have what could be called a drug gang, but even those individuals are out for personal gain and in the end would go wherever to money takes them even if to another gang. Therefore there is a lack of loyalty that is important to gangs such as the bloods, Crips, and Latin Kings, and MS-13. The activities of the groups in Philly are sporadic and the bonds of loyalty flow with the wind. So called gangs in Philadelphia are loyal to each other one day and not the next day and in turn show sporadic gang tendencies. When compared to Fredrick Thrashers definition of gangs our so called gangs would lack in comparison. The sporadic nature of our drug groups or even our so called neighborhood gangs would lack the ability to, "Move through space as a unit”. The Philadelphia gang scene has been gone for awhile. As a result the groups who consider themselves gangs are far attached from the ways of modern day gangs such as Bloods and Crips.
Desmond Cartwright definition explains gangs as a group of people who meet on a regular basics and are a threat to society. According to this definitions there are gangs in Philadelphia. This description explains the drug gangs. The biggest reason drug gangs form is because of protection from rival gangs.
James Short basically states that a gang is a group of unsupervised young people who develop a bond for one another. There are gangs that are like this in Philadelphia. These gangs might be created by young people who group together because they share the same interest such as a chess club or a book club. This gangs forms as a way in interact with peers who are like themselves.
After viewing several definitions of teen gangs in the text, I agree with the Police Commissioner. I do not believe there are any gangs in Philadelphia. In fact, the only groups of teens remotely close to being considered gangs are those involved in drug activities. Although the city is "trying" to target these groups, it is not unusual to see a group of three or more teenage boys loitering outside of a neighborhood Chinese restaurant or a "stop-and-go" at all hours of the night. In my opinion, Desmond Cartwright's definition of teen gangs best describes these drug-peddling youths. According to the term, teens meet regularly or sparadically and pose a threat to social order. Even though Philadelphia has its segregated areas, consisting of specific races and cultures, the teens in these areas who are involved with drug dealing operate in a similar fashion. These teens congregate almost daily and are often connected to the violence and destruction of once stable communities. Many of them also possess illegal weapons, specifically guns. In efforts to reclaim their neighborhoods, some community members have united, forming drug awareness programs, neighborhood watches and by reporting heavy drug activity.
David Curry and Irving Spergel's interpretation of teen gangs reminds me of the infamous California bred gangs, the Bloods and Crips. Just as Curry and Spergel points out, these two gangs contain law-violating juveniles and adults. Their criminal activities include murder, assualt, robbery, theft, property damage, drug trafficking, gang fighting and various weapons violations. Also, they are very organized and strongly enforce rules of conduct. If a member violates the set rules, he/she may be subject to some form of punishment, such as being beaten by several other members or being the victim of rape or murder. These gangs consider themselves like family, loyalty is everything. In addition, the Bloods and Crips are identified by their colors, hand signs and graffiti. In California, the residents, unaffiliated with the gangs, suffered tremendously because of the constant turf wars that the two rivals engaged in. To my knowledge there are no gangs or groups of teens in Philadelphia as deviant as the Bloods and Crips; however, I do believe that there are cliques and groups who try to mimic them as a means of being perceived as tough.
I do believe their are gangs in Philadelphia. Fredrick Thrasher definitiion of gangs was an interstitial group originally form spontaneously and then integrated through conflict. It is characterized by the following types of behavior: meeting face to face, milling, movement through space as a unit, conflict, and planing. His definitions reminds me of what I see everyday in the slum areas of Philadelphia as I walk down the streets. These are not disturbed boys, just normal boys that may feel like society has failed them. They are looking for some type of excitment and achievement in life. These slum areas in Philadelphia often lack the resourses of other areas. Through there criminal behavior they start to see financial benefits and also start to feel some type of self worth. If they ever needed some type of petection the people in their gang would have their back. This becomes the norm in these communities.They become very territory. In Philadelphia you may hear about two gangs fighting against each other, just two blocks away. A self-formed association of peers, bound together by mutual interests, with identifiable leadership, well-developed lines of authority, and other organizational features, who act in concert to achieve a specific purpose or purposes, which generally include the conduct of illegal activity and control over a particular territory, facility, or type of enterprise, according to Walter Miller. His definitions explans gives you a perfect example of what we see in Philadelphia. On any day you can see a group of young people standing in front of the Chinese Store selling drugs. You would think they own that coner by the amount of time spent standing there. If you are not from that particular area you better not come around because they may jump you or rob you. There is always the person that everybody respects who is sometimes considered the Old Head. He is usually respected.
1. According to NYGC i would say that there are indeed gangs by their definition in Philadelphia. Even though i did not grow up in Philadelphia i would think it is very common for groups of 3 or more, ages 12 to 24 to be running around in "groups" or gangs, and probably having a name for there group or gang. It is also relativly normal for people of this age group to get into trouble. i grew up in the country and this type of group identification took place in rural PA as well.
2. In refrence to James Short's definition i would also agree that there are gangs in Philadelphia. In almost any community youngsters that live close to one another and grow up together, are most likely to continue to "hang out" together. These young people that hang out with one another and are unsupervised by adults are bound to get into trouble. James Short's definition is so broad and loosely defined All of the youth in the united states might as well be in a gang.
According to Malcolm Klien there are gangs in Philadelphia. Growing up in South Philadelphia and residing there for many years, I have seen many gangs. There were gangs from many different neighborhoods 27th St., 25th St., 22nd St. the Ooh Mob, Tasker, just to name a few. These groups recognize themselves as denotable groups. The groups are all involved in criminal activity ranging from trauncy- murder. Law enforcement agencies are aware when one gang is fueding with another . The Philadelphia Anti- Violent Anti-Drugs Network (PAAN) sometimes try to intervene so, that they can reduce the violence. One may not call them gangs , but refer to them as clicks.Members set themselves apart from the community and view themselves as a seperate enity.They also take pride in their status. This is why you you see these gangs with tattoos and is always representing their gang.
According to Walter Miller a gang is a self- formed association of peers bound together by mutal interests with identifiable leadership, well developed lines of authority and other organzational features. In Philadelphia I have observe these types of gangs as well. The drug dealers are the suppliers, the hustlers, the ballers, and the slangers are apart of the gang. Often times street gangs and drug gangs intertwine.All the parties involve is apart of the organizational structure. Each person has their job . The association often bond different gangs together by mutal intersest.Everyone is looking for some type of financial gain.
1. In response to Walter Miller's ideology, i will definitely agree that this types of gangs do exist in philadelphia, they are mostly the people that hangs around the street corners selling drugs, pimping females, also, they have a leader in which they report back to, in case another rival tries to invade their turf or territory, which leads to violence and deliquent acts.
2. In my opinion, i believe that the National Youth Gang Center do exist in philadelphia because, they are kids who usually claim to be their neighborhood gangs, in which they believe by joining the gangs, they can protect their area because they were born and raised there, which all leads to selling drugs and committing deliquent acts.
Well written article.
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