Breaking The Cycle

Gang Involvement Is A Process, Experts Say

By Dave Felice

Violence, or moreover, the constant threat of violence is a predominant gang behavior, according to Regina Huerter, Denver’s Crime Prevention and Control Director.

 Huerter says gang violence is a process, not an impulsive act. “The behavior often results from a long developing, identifiable trail of conflict disputes and failure. Gang violence involves the individual, the situation, and the setting.”

 The Gang Reduction Initiative of Denver (GRID) strives to foster partnerships to curtail youth and gang violence. By intervening and redirecting those at-risk youths toward more pro-social activities and skills, GRID tries to deter and sustain potential gang members through employment, school, community, services, and family.

 Huerter says the primary goals are to reduce repeat offenses and clamp down on violent gang crime in targeted neighborhoods. The program is aimed primarily at chronic offenders, active gang members, and youth at risk.

 Young people are sometimes attracted to gangs because it provides a sense of purpose, place, and belonging, according to Huerter. “It is validation for being somebody. The gang world is attractive to our young people because it promises power without a sense of responsibility for how to use that power.

 “Children who have early challenges in life, including family dynamics, early loss and trauma, and who show signs of early childhood aggression are particularly vulnerable, especially if they are not engaged in or successful in a school setting,”she says.

 Huerter, also a professor in the Human Services Department at Metropolitan State University, cites the work of researchers Nancy Guerra and Patrick Tolan, who have identified four types of violent behavior: Relationships, situational, predatory, and psychopathological. Often, in gangs, there is a vicious cycle of victim and perpetrator.

 Gang violence is frequently driven by retaliation, perceived dominance in relationships, continuing rivalry, and cooperation with authorities, challenges, and initiation rituals.

 “Willingness to do violence makes a gang,” says Huerter. “There must be a readiness to use deadly force in the name of the gang. Violent behavior solidifies the gang against external threats. Too much external force kills the gang.”

 Violent action is also used to initiate members and enforce rules specific to the gang, such as use of drugs that are sold or witness intimidation. The reality of gang activity, according to Huerter, is violence, rituals, prison, and the ever-present threat of death.

 Gang behavior is also based on the economics of drugs, guns, clothing, games, and particular types of music.

 There are limited options for getting out of a gang, says Huerter, including death, prison, or moving on with life. According to professionals who have left gangs, the first step is to firmly believe that getting out is possible.

 GRID tries to reinforce these options through community mobilization, opportunities, social intervention, and suppression. Those who want to leave have to focus on and participate in positive activities, and identify an alternative support system, according to Huerter.

Dave Felice is a member of National Writers Union Local 1981, and recent recipient of an award from the Society of Professional Journalists for News Column writing. He is Chair of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. and can be reached at chair@greaterparkhill.org.