Abstract
A common perspective on variations in the gang problem over time emphasizes fabricated or exaggerated “panics” that serve the interests of law enforcement and the media. The evidence for these constructionist arguments has been largely anecdotal and discursive and based on specific locals. This article examines FBI Supplemental Homicide data on youth gang killings and National Youth Gang Survey data on estimated gang members in relation to LexisNexis and Vanderbilt Television News Archive data on media coverage of gangs. Overall, the results support a realist view that surges or trends in the gang problem were actual patterns based on real events rather than media or law enforcement fabrications.
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