The Way Out: A Historical Perspective on Gangs

The gang phenomenon is a major concern in the United States today as youth fight each other and victimize innocent people. The cost of law enforcement involved in dealing with gangs, investigating their crimes, and protecting the community is tremendous. Ethnic gangs throughout history have been notorious for violent behavior. Gangs fought to maintain their territory in the city much the same way that Chicano/Latino gangs fight to maintain their territory. The gang problem remains a serious community problem. Progress in dealing with it can only be made when the community-at-large, at the political and economic level, becomes involved.