gang

A gang is a group of individuals who share a collective identity and engage in organized delinquent or criminal activity. Definitions vary, but most emphasize membership, a sense of territory or affiliation, and a structured decision-making process. Gangs can be loosely organized networks or more formal criminal enterprises operating locally or across regions.

Common forms include street or urban gangs that claim local turf and engage in violence, drug dealing, extortion, and property crime; organized crime groups that coordinate larger-scale illegal activity; prison gangs formed in correctional facilities; and youth gangs composed primarily of adolescents.

Typical features include leadership structure, initiation rites, codes of conduct, symbols or colors, and territorial claims. Membership often involves loyalty and hierarchy, with roles such as recruiters or enforcers. Violence is commonly used to defend territory, enforce rules, or control illicit markets, though some groups pursue economic objectives.

Factors linked to gang involvement include poverty, limited schooling, family violence, peer pressure, and exposure to drug markets. Gangs affect communities by increasing violence and fear, disrupting schooling, and diverting public resources to policing and suppression rather than prevention.

Prevention and control efforts emphasize early intervention, education and job training, family support, mentoring, and community programs. Law enforcement may target leadership or illicit networks, while research supports strategies that reduce risk factors and improve opportunities for at-risk youths.