Menacing or MimickingM Realities of Youth Gangs BY JAMM C ID: 121111
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M«ring ÓääÇ u Vol° x–] No Ó u Juvenile and 3amily Court Journal Menacing or MimickingM Realities of Youth Gangs BY JAM-M C° 5BW-LL James C° 5owell] Jh°,°] is a Menior Lesearvh Assoviate with the National Youth 4ang Center] Oallahassee] 3lorida° Ohe researvh on whivh this artivle presence in the United States (Howell, 1998B, they remain largely an enigma in public perceptions. No two gangs are alike and no two communities’ gang problems have the same dimensionsJ this variance frustrates the media and others, who find it more convenient to sim plify gangs with broad-brush descriptions (Esbensen & Tusinski, 2007B. Research suggests that cities, towns, and rural coun ties can be grouped into three categories with respect to their experience with youth gangs. The overwhelming majority of these localities are in the first category: Either they have never experienced a youth gang problem or, if tions greater than 250,000 report gang problems year after year (Egley, Howell, & Major, 2004B. Menaving or Mimivking¶ Without close scrutiny, it is often difficult to assess the dangerousness of the typical youth gang in less popu lated areas. Two sources in particular have a tendency to misrepresent the characteristics and activities of youth gangs: the gangs themselves and the media. These are than they actually are to provide maximum protection. ABMOLACO Minve the £™–äs] youth gangs in the Qnited Mtates have leen a high «riority for law enforvement and the sulevt of a great deal of media attention] «artivularly in urlan areas° ,es«ite all the attention given to them] youth gangs remain «oorly defined and vaguely vharavterized] and in many less «o«ulated vommunities] myths alout youth gangs vom