Abstract
Mapping the structural characteristics of attack behavior, this study explores how violent conflict evolved with the implementation of civil gang injunctions (CGIs). Networks were generated by linking defendants and victims named in 963 prosecutions involving street gangs active in the City of Los Angeles (1998–2013). Aggregating directed ties to 318 groups associated with the combatants, we compare four observations that correspond with distinct phases of CGI implementation—development (1998–2001), assent (2002–2005), maturity (2006–2009), and saturation (2010–2013). Using a triad census to calculate a ratio of simple patterns (retaliation, directed lines, and out-stars) to complex three-way interactions, we observed that CGIs were associated with a substantive thickening of conflict—greater complexity was found in conflict relations over time. Dissecting the nature of change, stochastic actor-oriented models (SAOMs) show that enjoined gangs are more likely to initiate transitive closure. The findings suggest that crime control efforts must make regular adjustments in response to the evolving structure of gang interactions.
Highlights
The harm generated by gang violence extends beyond members and their rivals, threatening entire communities
We found a substantial amount of simple structures reflecting a domino pattern of aggression where one group attacked another, who in turn attacked a third group. This pattern has been interpreted to suggest that groups are not of equal status or resources, and groups are unable to retaliate for attacks
Dissecting how patterns of violence changed we found that civil gang injunctions (CGIs) gangs were more apt to attack other groups under an injunction, and that excessively aggressive groups were less likely to be victimized at a subsequent observation
Summary
The harm generated by gang violence extends beyond members and their rivals, threatening entire communities. Boys (CCB) gang member approached, and pointing a gun to Timothy’s head, declared his affiliation and asked whether the victims belonged to a rival gang. CGIs are a crime control strategy designed to impose behavioral restrictions on gangs and/or gang members within designated areas. The City of Los Angeles defines a gang as a group of allied individuals working toward a common purpose who engage in violent, unlawful, or criminal activity to achieve their aims. The group brands itself with symbols (e.g., tattoos and colors), often has common demographic characteristics and may exert control over specific areas within neighborhoods (Los Angeles Police Department 2020). Of interest to the present study, CGIs impose restrictions on public behaviors within designated areas, known as “safety zones”
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