Controlling Gangs: The Use and Effectiveness of Civil Gang Injunctions

• In Event: Can Society Control Gangs? Social Media and Gang Injunctions

Abstract

Civil gang injunctions (CGI) are an increasingly popular tool used for controlling street gangs. This paper examines trends and research on the use and effectiveness of CGI. Assessments of the effectiveness of CGI have provided mixed results, which may be the result of structural and behavioral differences in gangs, as well as different implementation strategies used for the same intervention. Some research has indicated that CGI increases gang cohesion, the opposite of the intended result. Research also supports the notion that smaller safety zones and focused targeting of individual gang members may more effective than larger zones. Historical practices have been based on the assumption that targeting the larger gang and a larger geographic area is better for deterring gang members from hanging out in public, thereby reducing crime. This paper also examines the use and effectiveness of CGI in Orange County, California.

Author

• Gregory Christopher Brown, California State University, Fullerton