For Guru Olivia Only

Theories provide the foundation for understanding membership and proliferation of criminal organizations. But how can those theories be applied in the field to combat the activities of existing groups and prevent new groups from forming? The next 3 weeks introduce tools and methods criminal justice professionals can use to address the problem.

For example, imagine you are a law enforcement officer investigating a robbery-homicide. One piece of evidence about the suspect, conveyed by a reluctant witness, is a distinctive tattoo on the individual’s neck. You are able to search in a database to determine the gang affiliated with that tattoo, thus narrowing the suspect pool significantly. Alternatively, imagine you are a consultant lobbying for new federal legislation enacting harsher sentences for gang-related offenses. 

This week, you move from theory to practice as you explore two methods in place to combat gangs and criminal organizations: gang databases and legislation. 

Learning Objectives

Students will:

· Evaluate the use of gang databases to combat criminal organizations

· Evaluate legislation related to crimes committed by criminal organizations 

Learning Resources

Note: To access this week’s library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings

Howell, J. C., & Griffiths, E. (2018). Gangs in America’s communities (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

· Chapter 10, “What Works: Intervention and Suppression” (pp. 281–317)

Braga, A. A., Hureau, D. M., & Papachristos, A. V. (2014). Deterring gang-involved gun violence: Measuring the impact of Boston’s Operation Ceasefire on street gang behavior. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 30(1), 113–139. doi:10.1007/s10940-013-9198-x 

Institute for Intergovernmental Research. (2009, July). Gang prosecution manual. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/content/documents/gang-prosecution-manual.pdf Note: Read pp. 1–59 only.

Knox, J. (2015). Intelligence operations in U.S. organized crime rings. Global Security Studies, 6(1), 26–34.

National Gang Center. (2018, December). Compilation of gang-related legislation. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/Legislation

National Gang Center. (2016, December). Brief review of federal and state definitions of the terms “gang,” “gang crime,” and “gang member.” Retrieved from https://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/Content/Documents/Definitions.pdf

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2018g, May). Module 8: Law enforcement tools and cooperation. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/e4j/en/organized-crime/module-8/index.html

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2018h, May). Module 9: Prosecution strategies. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/e4j/en/organized-crime/module-9/index.html

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2018i, May). Module 10: Sentencing and confiscation in organized crime. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/e4j/en/organized-crime/module-10/index.html

THIS IS DUE WEDNESDAY 2/03/21 BY 9PM

Discussion: Gang Databases

In the 1980s, when gang-related violence was on the rise, law enforcement agencies began to collect data on gang members. This data was eventually transferred into electronic gang databases, many of which are still maintained today. Today’s gang databases include information about gangs, such as their location, symbols, and alliances and rivalries, and information about actual or suspected gang members, such as their names, tattoos, vehicles, and areas they frequent. Gang databases help law enforcement solve gang-related crimes more quickly and target members that may benefit from deterrence programs. Despite the benefits of gang databases, many cities are moving toward eliminating them all together.

In this Discussion, you explore how law enforcement officers identify gang members, the pros and cons of using gang databases, and whether such databases should continue to be used.

To prepare:

· Determine whether your local law enforcement agency uses a gang database. If you do not work at the agency, you may find this information on the Internet or by calling the agency to ask.

By Day 3

Post a response that addresses the following:

· How do your local law enforcement officers identify potential gang members?

· Does law enforcement in your community rely on a gang database?

· What are the pros and cons of using a gang database?

· Should gang databases continue to be used to combat gang-related activities? Why or why not?

THIS ASSIGNMENT IS DUE BY SATURDAY 02/06/21

Assignment: Criminal Organization Legislation

Combating gangs and organized crime groups is a daunting task for a variety of reasons, one of which is the lack of cooperation from witnesses in criminal investigations. Witnesses are often hesitant to testify against gang members and organized crime figures because they fear that they or their family will be harmed. With little help from witnesses, the criminal justice system tends to rely heavily on legislation created through local, state, and federal bodies. For example, legislation such as the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute and even the U.S. Patriot Act is designed to target existing gangs and organized crime groups, levying hefty sentences on those convicted. Other legislation is designed to deter crimes committed by gangs and organized crime groups by targeting core issues that contribute to the development and proliferation of these groups.

For this Assignment, assume you have been asked to moderate an upcoming political debate between two candidates concerning crime. One area of concern, and a topic that will be addressed in the debate, is the sufficiency of current legislation to address gang and organized crime violence.

To prepare:

· Select one gang or organized crime statute at the federal, state, or local level and research it.

By Day 7

Submit a 500- to 750-word paper that addresses the following:

· Write an introductory statement that reviews the statute and summarizes its intent.

· Prepare three questions toward the supporting side of the statute and three questions toward the opposing side of the statute.

· Respond to one question from the supporting side of the statute and one question from the opposing side of the statute.

· Based on your responses, what conclusions can you draw about the efficacy of legislation related to combating criminal organizations?

Be sure to reference the course readings to support your responses.