Gangs in New Jersey, Essay Example

This research was carried out with a purpose of analyzing the current situation on gangs from the state of New Jersey. This research indicates that, many New Jerseyans tend to associate youth violence with gangs and urban areas. Hence have a perception that ‘gang threat’ is primarily in urban areas and that gangs are someone else’s problem. This perception could potentially reduce public support for anti-gang initiatives.

The perceptions that gang activities are limited to New Jersey’s cities has been a big set back to innovative policies which are being formulated to mitigate spread of gang culture and have a long term effect on its spread. There has been increased need of public awareness of gangs in New Jersey which had been essential in addressing symptoms, causes and the effect of the gangs in or community.

According to Bricketto, (2008) gangs have been in existence in suburban and rural municipalities in the state and have. It is estimated that 70% of the New Jersey citizens live in municipalities which where there are gangs. However, presence of gangs in New Jersey would not be considered as an exclusive urban phenomenon.

Research Design

Survey design was used where information was gathered systematically using questionnaires and interviews reason being that the study was concentrated more on representative sample of the whole population and generalization made for the state of New Jersey.

Description of the Sample and Sampling Procedure

Cluster Sampling was the method used to select the participants in this study. It was also used to collect representative data of the whole population within the state of New Jersey. The choice to use cluster sampling was made because the technique is suited to situations where a complete list of subjects is not obtained and likely to be inaccurate. The findings from survey questionnaires can then be generalized to the larger population the sample is supposed to represent.

Data Collection

Data for the research had primarily been obtained from documentations which have already being done on the research of gangs in New Jersey. Much of the details were obtained from administrators of the state whether at the state level or municipality and more so in the security docket being taken care of the police. Other information was collected from parents, students, teachers, social agencies and other members of the public. Secondary data was collected from textbooks, journals, magazines, internet, newspapers and other researches.

Data Analysis Procedures

Data analysis was done with the aid of descriptive statistics which included the use of frequencies and percentages. Similar responses from questionnaires and Interviews from all of the respondents were tallied against their corresponding alternatives to compare the out come. Percentages were calculated, interpreted and discussed. Tables of frequency distribution, pie charts and graphs were used to show the different patterns of data categories.

Findings

For the purpose of this research the following definitions were used; in accordance to the research done, a gang is made up of three or many people. This people form a group and share a common name, have similar identification signs and to some instances they have even similar tattoos to indentify them selves. According to the respondents, four out of ten (43%) municipalities in New Jersey. 56% indicated that there was absence of gangs while 1% showed that they were not aware of any existence of gangs.  According to Bricketto, (2008) 87% of the respondents indicated that the presence of Bloods street gang, followed by Latin Kings (48%) then Crips 46%. Other gangs mentioned in smaller proportions include: MS- 13 (27%) the Pagans Motorcycle Club (23%). Ñeta (19%); Five Percenters (14%); Breed Motorcycle Club (12%); 18 Street Gang (11%), and Vatos the Locos (11%).

The Bloods street gang took the top spot with (64%). Crips (7%), Latin Kings (5%), the Pagans (4%), MS-13 (3%) or the Warlocks (2%) followed suite as identified by smaller proportions of respondents. The crime list was categorized into four broad areas: drug crimes theft crimes and violent crimes commodity-trafficking crimes. Violent Crimes: The respondents indicated that assaults were the most frequently reported violent crime (67%) followed closely by aggravated assaults with 52%.  Drug Crimes: According to the respondents, drug crimes comprised (48%) of all criminal activity mentioned.

Retail sales of cocaine were (55%) and marijuana was (65%) were the most commonly mentioned drug crimes. About a third of the respondents identified mid-level cocaine and marijuana sales 33% (New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety Division of the New Jersey State Police Intelligence Section, 2007). From the data collected, 56 % of respondents report that they continued to see an increase in crime, 19% indicated the decrease of crime, 18% responded that there was neither an increase nor a decrease in crime levels and 7% were not aware of the crime trends.

References

Bricketto, M. (2008). “Bloods” Gang is State’s Largest. Retrieved on March 09, 2010 from http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20080412/NEWS/804120334/%5C-Bloods%5C–gang-is-state%5C-s-largest

New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety Division of the New Jersey State Police Intelligence Section. (2007). Gangs in New Jersey: Municipal Law Enforcement Response to the 2007 NJSP Gang Survey. Retrieved on March 09, 2010 from http://www.state.nj.us/njsp/info/pdf/njgangsurvey-2007.pdf