Planning for Youth Gang Control and Violence Reduction

Abstract

Abstract This chapter begins the discussion of issues and strategies for dealing with the youth gang problem, with special emphasis on community mobilization. It stresses the importance of defining the problem and creating policies and programs directed at particular types and levels of the problem. First, however, it summarizes strategies used during recent decades for dealing with delinquent groups and gangs, particularly at the community level. To a large extent, what is past is prologue. There are both continuity and change in the policies and practices that show promise in dealing with gang issues. The challenge is to create a new paradigm of action that modifies past approaches to make them relevant to current and evolving situations. I describe five strategies for dealing with gang problems in different community contexts. The discussion of planning focuses on definitions of the gang incident, assessment of com munity problems and resources, development of appropriate strategies and inter organizational structures, targeting of different gangs and gang youths, and setting of priorities.