1) As gang members age, they gain more experience with crime and violence. This can make older gangs more sophisticated and dangerous than youth gangs. 2) Studies show the average age of gang members has increased over time, with over 70% of gang members now adults. As juveniles stay in gangs into adulthood, it increases the number of experienced criminals. 3) Advanced adult gangs may take on new criminal objectives beyond local turf wars. Some evolve into transnational criminal organizations comparable to organized crime groups. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated community response.

1. All grown up but still banging: What issues
can we expect if they don't "age out?”
1

2. Outline
• Issues with juvenile gang members
• Challenges when they stay as adults
• Challenges with advanced, adult gangs
• Recommended community responses
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3. Defining gangs
• Street gangs mentioned by Chaucer (1390) and
Shakespeare (1602)
– little known of the members
• Generally accepted criteria for identifying groups
as gangs:
– Three or more members.
– Members share group identity and other symbols.
– Members view themselves as a gang, and they are
recognized by others as a gang.
– Permanence and organization.
– Criminal activity.
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4. Issues with youth gang members
• 1.4 million of gang members in 2011
(NGIC)
• Culture, lifestyle, survival
• Crime and disrespect for authority
encouraged
• Violence often the solution
4

5. Gangs Form Because?
• Individual needs
– physiological, safety, belongingness,
esteem
• Individual responses
– To pressure/Strain
• Community needs
– Security/Economy
5

6. Gangs are accepted
• Not unlike traditional business organization
– Fill a void
– Serve community
– Depended upon
• Engage in legitimate business activity.
– Startup funding from ill-gotten gains
– Legitimate business to launder money
– Gang businesses serve community
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7. Adult v. Juvenile gang members
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8. Table 1: Identified Gang Members By Age
Gang Range of Ages 1996 Average Age 1996 Range of Ages 2006 Average Age 2006
Crips – LA Based 12-31 20.47 15-41 28.09
Bloods – LA Based 14-26 19.69 17-38 26.03
Folk – Chicago Based 12-33 18.51 15-38 24.59
People – Chicago Based 17-24 19.58 19-46 27.63
Hispanic – Independent 14-25 18.59 16-36 21.51
Asian – Independent 15-27 20.59 16-37 25.34
Local 15-30 21.46 17-43 32.47
White Supremacist 17-22 19.50 20-47 31.15
Totals 13-33 20.03 15-41 26.59
Adapted from “Examining the Demographics of Street Gangs in Wichita, Kansas,” by Greg W. Etter and Warren G. Swymeler, 2008, Journal of Gang Research, 16(1), page 6.
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9. Table 2: Gang Member Demographics By Age
Age % Albuquerque Las Vegas Phoenix
(5,647 in 1999) (6,232 in 1998) (7,115 in 2000)
17 and under 10.5 11.0 15.8
18 and over 88.6 79.0 84.2
Unknown 0.9 Unavailable None
Adapted from “Policing Gangs in America,” by Charles M. Katz and Vincent J. Webb, 2006, New York:
Cambridge University Press, pages 98-114.
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10. Table 3: Summary of Findings By Age
Location
Adult % Juvenile %
Arizona (Phoenix) (2000)
84.2 15.8
Florida (2007)
56.5 38.4
Nevada (Las Vegas) (1998)
79.0 11.0
New Jersey (2004)
53.0 47.0
New Mexico (Albuquerque) (1999)
88.6 10.5
United States (2006)
63.5 36.5
Average
70.8 26.53 10
Adapted from “2007 Statewide gang survey results,” by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; “Policing Gangs in America,” by Charles M. Katz and Vincent J. Webb,

11. Many ex-gang members
• quit without retribution (maturational reform)
• leave for
– Job
– Child/family
– Aging
• motivated by experiencing violence
• move away (geographic relocation)
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12. Challenges when they stay
• Increased # seasoned gang members
• limited future legit opportunities
• detrimental to adult transition
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13. More challenges?
• Older gang members more prevalent
in cities with established gang
presence.
• Older age of gang members not due
to delay in joining
– maintaining allegiance after
adulthood.
• Older members often mentors 13

14. Challenges with advanced,
adult gang members
14

15. Third Generation Street Gangs
• Some gangs evolve/transition through
three generations
– Turf gangs
– Market-oriented drug gangs
– Mix of political and mercenary elements
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16. Three factors determine
evolutionary potential
• Politicization
• Internationalization
• Sophistication
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17. Evolutionary Potential
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18. First Generation Gangs
• Traditional street gangs - turf orientation
• Lower end of extreme societal violence
• Loose leadership
• Focus on turf protection and gang loyalty
• Criminal activity - opportunistic and local
• Limited political scope and sophistication
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19. Second Generation Gangs
• Entrepreneurial and drug-centered
• Protect markets - use violence to
control competition
• Broader market, sometimes overtly
political
• Broader spatial or geographic area
• Sometimes multi-state and international
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20. Third Generation Gangs
• Evolved political aims
• Operate or aspire to operate globally
• Garner power, aid financial
acquisition, mercenary-type activities
• Most primarily mercenary
• Some seek to further political and
social objectives
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21. How bad can it get?
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22. How bad can it get?
• If enough corruption exists
– The organized crime group controls
the government
• You can have a failed state.
– Responsibilities not same as control
– Organized crime group focused on
making money, not helping citizens
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23. • New York
–union officials and two
former police officers
arrested for decades of
violent offences with
criminal groups.
23

24. • Chicago (and other U.S. cities )
–Gangster Disciples followed Mafia
involvement in community
activities and politics.
–When criminal groups engage in
activities benefiting the
community they are seen as less
threatening.
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25. • Europe, Middle East, and U.S.
–Terrorist groups (IRA, Hamas,
Hezbollah) promoting
transformation from crimes
against community to helping
with community service and
involvement in politics (like
Gangster Disciples).
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26. How does it get fixed?
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27. How does it get fixed?
• Frequently takes exposure in a crisis
• Often requires external involvement
• Some degree of coercion & force
• Doesn’t happen instantly
• May drive problem underground
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28. Recommended responses
• Get involved – whether asked to or not
• Act the way you feel regarding gang activity in
the community
• If you are passionate about something, don’t
hide it.
• Find your voice and inspire others to do the
same.
• Find a way to make it all work.
• Let us (TNGIA) know if we can help!
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29. All grown up but still banging: What issues
can we expect if they don't "age out?”
29