Juggalos - Whoop! Whoop! A Family or A Gang? A Participant-Observation Study on an FBI Defined ‘Hybrid’ Gang

ABSTRACT

This study examines the Juggalos and their controversial gang designation as defined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Juggalos are devoted fans of the music group Insane Clown Posse, but law enforcement officials have identified Juggalos as a “hybrid” gang. A participant observation study was conducted in the fall of 2017 during the Juggalo March in Washington D.C. This protest rally was a response to challenge the gang classification and demonstrate to others that Juggalos are “a family and not a gang.” The authors observed Juggalo behaviors that were not consistent with a gang; but rather consistent with the characteristics of identifying a gang, as well as behaviors that were deviant.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christopher J. Przemieniecki

Christopher J. Przemieniecki, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at West Chester University (PA). He earned his Ph.D. from the University of North Dakota. He is also a staff instructor at the National Gang Crime Research Center (NGCRC) in Chicago, IL. He has published articles about street gangs, media and gangs, prisoners/legal issues, social deviance, and criminal justice ethics. His work has been published in ACJS Today, Journal of Gang Research, Journal of Creative Social Discourse, FBI-LEEDA Insighter Magazine, and the Amplifier Magazine for the Society of Media Psychology and Technology. He has also contributed to Encyclopedia entries, book chapters, and co-authored a textbook on gangs. He is a peer-review editor for the Journal of Gang Research and frequently speaks around the country on gang-related issues.

Samantha Compitello

Samantha Compitello, M.S., graduated from West Chester University in 2018 and completed her bachelor’s at Arcadia University (PA). She recently completed an internship at the Pennsylvania Innocence Project. Her research interests include the effects of separating mothers from their children during incarceration, parenting programs for mothers while incarcerated, and gangs.

Josiah D. Lindquist

Josiah D. Lindquist, M.S., graduated from West Chester University in 2017 and completed his bachelor’s at Mesiah College (PA). He worked as an intern for the Delaware Valley Intelligence Center Gang Unit as an Analyst and the Dauphin County (PA) Criminal Investigation Division. His research interests include improving mental health first aid training for law enforcement officials and gangs.