An Examination of Collective Efficacy and Broken Windows in an Emergent Gang City

• In Event: The Role of Geography in How We View Gangs

Abstract

Gangs and gang membership issues are increasing throughout the United States, and youth gangs are of particular concern (Howell, 2013). While gangs have been long established in “traditional” gang cities, such as Chicago or Los Angeles, gang activity has begun to increase in non-traditional, or “emerging” gang cities (Thornberry, Krohn, Lizotte, Smith, & Tobin, 2003).
Whereas gangs and gang crime are well understood by residents of traditional gang cities, emerging gang cities have newly formed gangs with citizens who do not understand them or are even aware of gang presence. Similarly, gang structure also varies, with emerging gang cities having less organization and structure in their gangs (i.e. hybrid gangs) compared to the gangs found in traditional gang cities (Thornberry et al., 2003). To date, there has been little empirical examination concerned with collective efficacy or other traditionally collected gang measures in these emerging gang cities (Pizarro & McGloin, 2006). This study will assess the perceptions of informal social control and social cohesion and trust of residents of an emergent gang city to examine collective efficacy, as well as identify community awareness of the gang issues in an emergent gang city. Results and policy implications will also be discussed.

Authors

• Elise Costa, University of Florida

• Damian Hoffman, University of Florida

• Marvin Krohn, University of Florida