Gang Violence and Homicide: Do Select Factors that Police Report Contribute to Gang Violence, Specifically Predict Gang Homicide?

ABSTRACT

Work has consistently revealed that gang members are more likely than nongang members to participate in violent behavior. But research has not analyzed the relationship between the likelihood of gang homicide and the various factors that police report impact gang violence in their community. This is accomplished through analyzing reports provided by law enforcement as part of the National Youth Gang Survey in 2012. The results reveal a significant relationship between multiple factors that police report contribute to violence and gang homicides. The findings inform theoretical explanations for gang violence and have implications for policy effectively addressing gang homicides nationwide.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

¹ This specific year was used due to it being the most recent.

² The NYGC received an 85% response rate from law enforcement agencies throughout the United States.

³ Due to the use of multiple imputation the r-squared for the multivariate analyses is unable to be provided.

⁴ Since the survey question asks what factors contribute to gang violence, conflict refers to issues between or within gangs that law enforcement have observed contributing to violence in their jurisdiction.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Daniel Scott

Daniel Scott is an assistant professor of criminal justice at Texas A&M International University. His research examines youth and gang violence, juvenile corrections, and policy/programs. His work has appeared in Policing: An International Journal, Crime & Delinquency, and the Journal of Criminological Research, Policy, and Practice.

Samantha Bennett

Samantha Bennett is an assistant professor of criminal justice at Muskingum University. She has presented original research at several conferences on the subjects of policing youth, balanced and restorative justice, and juvenile delinquency. Her research interests include juvenile gangs, public perceptions of police, police practices, and juvenile justice policy.