Assignment - Gang Study

Background Information

Select one of the criminal gangs listed below and conduct research pertaining to the organization.

Outline the history of the gang, their geographical location of operations, their primary criminal activities, their membership qualifications, any identifying marks, signs, patches, "colors" or tattoos they typically display and a description of the gang's most notorious criminal act.

Finally outline what steps, based on this week's studies, you would take as a law enforcement official in the gang's area of operation to control the gang you chose.

Mara Salvatrucha (aka MS-13)

Instructions

This document should simulate a "gang file" as described in this week's textbook chapters.

This report must be at least 3 pages of written text.

The entire paper must be your original work.

A gang file should be maintained with the following information:

Type of gang (Street, motorcycle, etc), ethnic composition, and number of active and associate members, territory, hideouts,types of crimes usually committed, method of operation, choice of targets or victims, leadership and members know to be violet.

If there is a group photo of the gang, which can sometimes be gained through a search, this should be included in the file as well.

Included in the record system should be a gang member profile that cross-references the names of suspected gang members with the gang file. The may be card or computerized file.

A gang member file should include A photograph, or more if available, and a description and/or photo of the vehicle the member's moniker, the nickname used by the gang member among their peers and while crimes for the gang.

Other helpful information to put in a gang file , if it becomes available, is the individual's cell phone, address, any employment information and known relationships, especially regarding girlfriends and boyfriends, mothers or fathers of their children.