The Increase in Illegal Organizations in the United States
The number of illegal organizations is increasing at an unprecedented rate in the United States. A typical inner city of 50,000 inhabitants might have 200 or more gang members, as an example. They may even be big in some cases, with more than 1000 members spread across many states. Since there are no constraints on where gangs can live and operate, no site can be singled out as a safe haven from them. The group members have traits in common with those living in cities, and the current economic climate is the main factor accelerating their ascent. Physical abuse, divorce, and separation are among additional causes. In our discussion, we would single out an example of a local gang and analyze it in-depth.
Establishment of Criminal Groups in Suburban Areas
Establishment of the criminal groups in suburban occurs primarily in three modes. They include moving into newer territories to establish their drug business, parents sending children to live with families in the suburb in the event of a conflict, and in other instances imitation of organized gangs to gain reputation and respect among peers. Lack of positive activities to engage in can also increase the problem and also inadequate monitoring of children by their parents. On the subject, we would consider Crips as an example of a local gang and some of the factors that alleviate its growth, thriving, and operations.
The Crips Gang
Crips is one of them mainly comprised of African-Americans. It came into existence in 1969 under the stewardship of Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams. It predominantly operates in Los Angeles, California, but has since spread out to other states in a bid to control the drug trade. Earlier on it was an alliance comprised of two autonomous gangs but later split up, resulting in constant warfare with each other. Affiliation to the gang is often associated with the blue clothing they wear, but the situation seems to be waning due to increased intense crackdown by law enforcement officers. It's one of the largest and most violent in the United States, comprised of an estimated 30,000 members.
Factors Contributing to the Growth and Operations of the Crips Gang
The gang began its activities due to many issues, including economic decline, which resulted in unemployment, poverty, and racial segregation. They felt excluded in various societal and cultural aspects, hence the need to fill the emptiness. Most of the members are of the age 17-24 years from poverty-stricken regions with little economic opportunities. Their structuring is efficient with command structures in place aimed at ensuring the protection of their boundaries from external aggregation by rival gangs. They have their unique styles and ways of doing things that guarantee their confidentiality and secrecy of their operations.
Activities and Impacts of the Crips Gang
The gang engages in the sale of hard drugs such as cocaine as a means of economic empowerment, among other reasons, such as searching for protection from rival gangs and getting a bond they lack at their homes. Other activities they participate in include prostitution and violence. They are violent in nature and would do all it takes to protect their interests. Their activities have numerous impacts on the community. They bring about economic issues such as affecting business operations and also undermine security. They also cause an economic burden, which involves medical and financial requirements and also incarcerating them.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, gangs are dangerous and a thorny issue in society. The underlying reasons for their activities should be unraveled to enable their mitigation and control before things get out of hand.
