Table of Contents
Foreword 5
Introduction 7
Chapter 1 How Serious Is the Problem of Gangs? 1
1 Gang Membership Is Increasing Kevin Johnson 12
2 Gang Attacks on the Public Are Rare Adam Foxman 18
3 Growing Numbers of Girls Are Joining Gangs Sarah Standing 24
4 The Problem of Girls in Gangs Has Been Overstated Joan Smith 30
5 Responding to Gangs in the School Setting Michelle Arciaga Wayne Sakamoto Errika Fearbry Jones 36
6 Gangs Are a Growing Problem in the Suburbs Mary Ellen Flannery 43
Chapter 2 What Causes Gang Violence?
1 North America's Demand for Illegal Drugs Fosters Gang Violence Globe Mail 52
2 The War on Drugs Fosters Gang Violence James Murr 57
3 Poverty Fosters Gang Violence Kai Wright 61
4 US Immigration Policy Fosters Gang Violence Matthew Quirk 68
5 Many Youths Are Forced to Join Gangs Kenneth Michaels Mecca Sykes-Santana Laurence Snyder 73
6 A Number of Risk Factors Lead Youths to Join Gangs James C. Howell 80
Chapter 3 How Can Gang Violence Be Reduced?
1 Imprisoning Gang Members Reduces Gang Violence Palm Beach Post 89
2 Imprisonment Is Not the Best Way to Reduce Gang Violence Claudia D'Allegri Nina Martinez Eva Valdivia Alexia Inigues 94
3 Children Should Participate in Antigang Programs Katie S. Wang 99
4 Parents Should Monitor Their Children for Potential Gang Activity Monica Springer 104
5 The Scared Straight Program Reduces Criminal Activity Among Youths Nick Lehr 109
6 The Scared Straight Program Is Ineffective Laurie O. Robinson Jeff Slowikowski 115
7 Communities, Law Enforcement, and Government Must Work Together to Reduce Gang Violence Yakima Herald-Republic 120
Facts About Gangs 124
Organizations to Contact 126
For Further Reading 131
Index 135
Picture Credits 142
