Chapter 7 of Urban Issues covers another important issue our country is facing: the spread of gang activity. According to the reader, gangs cause 48 percent of violent crime in most jurisdictions, and up to 90 percent in others. Since 2009, gang activity has risen by 40 percent, with an estimated membership of 1.4 million people. What has caused this dramatic increase?

One cause of increased gang membership that the reader points to is technology. Technology helps to glamorize the gang lifestyle, and spreads influence further in a short amount of time. Gangs use platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and private websites, and rap music, music videos, and movies help to facilitate the spread of gang culture. Interestingly enough, the internet is also a way for gangs to make themselves less transparent. Since the internet is a way of spreading influence, gangs are using fewer visible tattoos, gang-style clothes, colors, and hand signals. The internet has been incredibly beneficial in these regards: the internet is a way of garnering support and attracting new members, while creating a sort of anonymity for members.

The reader pointed to an interesting relationship between gangs and the mafia. Authorities do not consider the Mafia or drug cartels to be gangs, since the structure and hierarchy of such groups is different than gang organization. At the turn of the century, the Italian Mafia gained prominence in major cities, which left less room for gang activity. Like contemporary gangs, the Mafia was also involved in illicit business, like bootlegging, prostitution, and drug distribution. However, with the crackdown on mafia activity, which was particularly widespread under Mayor Giuliani in New York, La Cosa Nostra was significantly weakened and gangs were able to gain more prominence in cities and rural areas. I am intrigued by the reader’s differentiation between gangs and the Mafia – both organizations are involved in illegal and violent activity, and both do have organizational hierarchies. I do not think the reader elaborated enough on the structural differences between gangs and the mob to support the claim that these organizations have fundamental differences.

Another important aspect of the gang discussion is the association between immigrants and criminal groups. Gangs have been active in the US as early as 1783. After the Revolution, colonial gangs gathered to fight for territory. However, gangs took on a new identity with the arrival of European immigrants. These immigrants often formed ethnic gangs for protection. Since then, US gangs have been related to immigration, ethnic, and racial divisions. Examples include the Five Points, which were dominated by English, Irish, and German immigrant laborers, Chicago based Irish gangs, the Italian Mafia, and Latino gangs that emerged after World War II. Contemporary gangs have a different identity, although many of them establish racial and ethnic identities. Prison gangs have become common, and there are 34 prison gangs operating across the country today.