Combating Gang Violence in Los Angeles

Combating Gang Violence in Los Angeles

Introduction

The gang related crime has seen increase in the recent past and to add to adversary the youth has been part of such a trend. The crime rates in general have increased in the American society however, the fact cannot be denied that the existence of the gangs in such a context has played a very much role. This study tends to highlight the factors which have in fact contributed to the rise in the crimes committed by the gang members. An individual who is a part of the gang needs to prove him or herself so that he or she is able to remain a part of that gang. Thus, in the context of the gang these individuals are highlighted more constantly who tend to become a part of the crimes. Gangs and gang membership has been a part of the fascination of the children without realizing the long term effect it could have on the individual. The idea of gang tends emerge from those circles where the deprivation tends to enjoy a relatively higher stance.

Factor which tends to play major role in the context of the gang and the membership of the gangs is the fascination youth tends to attach to it. The criminal behavior tends to go up as to be different in school, colleges or even schools. Plus the image of the gangs and members of the gangs also tend to shape up the mind of the individual who are going through a period of adolescence. However the fact needs to be understood as to why the individual become part of the gangs (Smangs, 2010).

Gangs in Los Angeles

Gang members are disproportionately involved—relative to non-gang persons—in the criminal justice system. Studies have reported that 9% of homicide in the United States and as much as 25% of homicides in urban cities are gang-related. As gang homicides have also been found to have multiple suspects, it goes without saying that gang offenders are well represented as defendants in criminal prosecutions—especially in larger jurisdictions. These cases pose specific troubles for prosecutors. A prosecutor in Los Angeles's contemporary specialized unit noted that “trying a gang case is one of the most difficult undertakings a prosecutor can face”. Issues in these cases include multiple suspects and victims, the need for gang intelligence and knowledgeable experts to testify, cooperation between juvenile and adult courts, courtroom intimidation via neighborhood and youth cultural norms (e.g., snitching), and victim and witness reluctance to aid law enforcement or prosecution. As Miethe and McCorkle (2002) pointed out, in cases that involve violent gang activity, victim and witness problems are so acute that many prosecutors are more willing to use a current arrest to revoke a previous probation, which has less stringent evidentiary requirements, than to initiate prosecution on a new charge. Other problems surface once charges are filed (Pinizzotto, 2007).

For example, victims and witnesses must appear in court and testify. Two San Francisco Bay Area cases ...