Juvenile Justice Digest: Youth gangs mature into high-risk crimes

FindArticles > Juvenile Justice Digest > Aug 30, 2002 > Article > Print friendly

Youth gangs mature into high-risk crimes

Youth gangs have grown in sophistication from street toughs to operators of criminal organizations engaged in drug trafficking, burglary and theft.

Youths that joined gangs to beat up their rivals and commit minor infractions have matured into organiations that operate primarily to make a profit from criminal activity.

Texas authorities said gangs with older youths are going underground to disguise their locations and reduce their exposure to surveillance. They even have a website that allows them to e-mail messages.

Texas police have begun to unravel the threads of the new style of operating as part of an investigation into the murder of a Harris County deputy during a shootout-with members of the Latin Kings in June.

Texas police said the Latin Kings are representative of the changing face of youth gangs. The group has chapters in at least 34 states, maintains a Website to improve communications with members. Each chapter usually has about 100 members.

The first gang of Latin Kings started in Chicago about 30 years ago where they still reign as the oldest and largest Hispanic gang. The- Almighty Latin King Nation, usually seen as the ALKN acronym, emerged from the New York prison system.

The gang in Chicago is heavily engaged in narcotics distribution. The younger-Latin Kings sell drugs on the street and- pass more than half of their earnings up to higherlevel gang members.

Texas-authorities said the older youths in gangs, such as the Latin Kings, have graduated beyond the need to paint graffiti on signs and buildings to announce their territory.

Now they are taking covert actions to avoid police surveillance and have risen to what prosecutors call level three, one step below the most dangerous and well-organized criminal operations.

Suffolk County, N.Y., Police Detective Wes Daily Jr. said- the Latin Kings regardless of location are involved in the sale of drugs, weapons trafficking, and providing protection.