situations: first, the police or court may still treat them as a gang member. And second, rival gangs are probably not aware whether tey
quit the gang or not.
16
3. Characteristics of Gangs
When Walter Miller asked the police, Juvenile officers, social workers, and other experts to define gangs, they agreed that gangs had
the following traits: organization, leadership, turf, cohesiveness, and purpose.
17
And the explanations of these terms described below:
a. Organization
The organizational structures of gangs have varied widely over time, from city to city, and even within cities. An example of a
highly organized gang can be found in the vice lords in Chicago in the 1960s.
The most important element in the new organizational scheme was the creation of an administrative body called the “board”
to deal with matters affecting the entire Vice Lord Nation. Further, regular weekly meetings were instituted with
representatives from all the subgroups present. Finally, membership cards were printed with the Vice Lords’ insignia
─a top hat, cane, and white gloves.
18
b. Leadership
Most gangs have clearly established leaders although it varies over time and location. The top of authority is originated firstly
from individual who has first rank in the gang. The gang chain of command system is analogous or quite similar to that of the highest
rank officer in a military unit. Below the officer are lieutenants,
16
Laura Caldwell, David Altschuler, “Adolescents leaving Gangs: An Analysis of Risk and Protective Factors, Resiliency and Desistance in a Developmental Context,” Journal of Gang
Research 8, 2001, pp. 21-34.
17
Walter Miller, “American Youth Gangs,” in Currents perspective on Criminal Behavior New York: Knopf, 1981, pp. 291-320.
18
R. Lincolin Keiser, The Vice Lords New York: Holt, 2003, Fifth Edition, p.8.
13
sub-lieutenants, and so on. It’s the most different part between gang and peer group that has no such this organized structure.
19
c. Turf
According to Irving Spergel, turf involves two components: identification and control.
20
Many urban gangs identify their territory by marking graffiti. Other gangs are not allowed to cross or
enter the territory boundaries. They are absolutely in danger if they try to do that. In addition, the urban gangs also monitor and protect
their territory from stranger’s hands.
21
Furthermore, according to Jankowski, Gangs operate in a given area because that location is the only place they are strong enough
to feel secure and in control, not because that particular territory is fundamental to their self-definition.
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d. Cohesiveness
