The gang violence contributes to the overall murder rate in the community or youth in Chicago. In 2011, about 700 children were hit by gunfire and about 66 of them died. These chilling statistics suggest that violence is a problem in Chicago among youth. Other forms of violence have decreased, but not concerning youth. Many of these murders are suggested to occur due to gang violence in the community.
Youth violence has increased for two major reasons. One is due to now youth having leadership positions in gangs, and the other reason is due to the increase of gun possession. In Homicides Drop, But Shootings Rise As Chicago Still Struggles With Guns And Violence, McCarthy blames the increase of shootings on the continued impact of gang activity and illegalisation of guns in “certain pockets” of the city. There has been 2,500 shooting reports in Chicago last year in Dec. 20, a 13 percent increase from 2013 and 14 percent decrease from 2012. This issue applies to trafficking drugs. Through this issue of youth gang violence,In Youth Gang Drug Trafficking and Homicide: Policy and Program Implications ,James C. Howell argues that gang violence extend throughout of gang drug trafficking.
Drug trafficking is a leading cause of gang-related violence. Many youth gang researchers also argue that many members of a gang is to organize and manage drug trafficking operations. Drug trafficking is a leading cause of gang-related homicide and whether gang migration is a key factor in gang drug trafficking
Youth violence has increased for two major reasons. One is due to now youth having leadership positions in gangs, and the other reason is due to the increase of gun possession. In Homicides Drop, But Shootings Rise As Chicago Still Struggles With Guns And Violence, McCarthy blames the increase of shootings on the continued impact of gang activity and illegalisation of guns in “certain pockets” of the city. There has been 2,500 shooting reports in Chicago last year in Dec. 20, a 13 percent increase from 2013 and 14 percent decrease from 2012. This issue applies to trafficking drugs. Through this issue of youth gang violence,In Youth Gang Drug Trafficking and Homicide: Policy and Program Implications ,James C. Howell argues that gang violence extend throughout of gang drug trafficking.
Drug trafficking is a leading cause of gang-related violence. Many youth gang researchers also argue that many members of a gang is to organize and manage drug trafficking operations. Drug trafficking is a leading cause of gang-related homicide and whether gang migration is a key factor in gang drug trafficking
[1] "CeaseFire Illinois." Cure Violence CeaseFire Illinois Comments. CeaseFire, n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2015. to support my local context
"Meet Four Non-profits Fighting to Decrease Violence." Belen Chacon, n.d. Web. Local Organizations to support local context
"Meet Four Non-profits Fighting to Decrease Violence." Belen Chacon, n.d. Web. Local Organizations to support local context
Gang violence impacts Chicago because there is a high rate of homicides that have been increasing over the few years in which more and more people have died. More than half of the homicides reported in Chicago are related in some way to gang violence that is one reason why Chicago is considered the gang capital of the United States. Many people have been victims of gang violence because they were at the wrong place at the wrong time. According to CBS NEWS “a 2012 Chicago Police Department gang audit found there are more than 600 gang factions in the city, with a minimum combined membership of 70,000. In 2010, 58.7% of all homicides were caused by gang violence and in 2011 it increased to 61%.”[1] From 2009 to 2012 was when the rate of homicides in Chicago due to gang violence increased dramatically. In the summer of 2012 it was proven that more people were killed in Chicago than U.S soldiers in Afghanistan.[2] The more time passes the more gangs commit crimes and more killings happen which is why many of the community members are scared to be outside once the weather starts getting nice outside, they fear that they might get caught in a gang shooting or in the middle of a big gang war. One thing that activist in Chicago are doing to address the problem is having programs in which it helps the youth out. CeaseFire Is one organization that helps gang members and youth joining gangs or in gangs to turn their lives around. This organization has been very helpful and productive because it has been able to decrees the shooting percentages in certain areas of Chicago.[3] The national context and local context are very similar for the fact that there are very similar problems with gangs all around the nation in which many places face it more than others. Also because they have similar methods such as organizations to prevent gang violence in the communities in order for the homicide rates to go down and for people to be safe. One of the main similarities thought is the reason why they join a gang in the first place. Many of not most join a gang because they feel as if they don’t get the love and support they need from their own families. Many of the gang members grew up in a bad environment without a father or mother figure to be there for them to guide them in a better path. Others join because of their economic status in which they aren’t as
fortunate as other people to be living a good life.[1]
All these reasons are the main ones in which youth from all races, ethnicity,
culture, city, state, etc. join gangs because they believe the gang is like a
family and will provide them with the love and support they never had.
[1] Why Do Youth Join Gangs? (1988, August 1). Retrieved from http://www.ojjdp.gov/jjbulletin/9808/why.html
[1] Hidden in America: Don't shoot, i want to grow up. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/fullpage/chicago-gang-violence-numbers-17509042
[2] Hidden in America: Don't shoot, i want to grow up. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/fullpage/chicago-gang-violence-numbers-17509042
[3] CeaseFire Illinois. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://cureviolence.org/partners/illinois-partners/
[1] Why Do Youth Join Gangs? (1988, August 1). Retrieved from http://www.ojjdp.gov/jjbulletin/9808/why.html
[1] Hidden in America: Don't shoot, i want to grow up. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/fullpage/chicago-gang-violence-numbers-17509042
[2] Hidden in America: Don't shoot, i want to grow up. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/fullpage/chicago-gang-violence-numbers-17509042
[3] CeaseFire Illinois. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://cureviolence.org/partners/illinois-partners/