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• Brief Review of Federal and State Definitions of the Terms 'Gang,' 'Gang Crime,' and 'Gang Member' [December 2009]

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  This is the 2009 annual update for the document "Brief Review of Federal and State Definitions of the Terms 'Gang', 'Gang Crime', and 'Gang Member'". In addition to the legal definitions of the terms, it contains a violent gang and terrorist organizations file, a table listing definitions by each state and the applicable penal codes.

  United States. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

  2009-12
• Understanding Environmental Factors that Affect Violence in Salinas, California

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  "When a community is plagued by violence, the natural tendency is to determine how to change or reduce the violence levels. In the process, an equally important question of why violence occurs is often overlooked. This thesis analyzes the why with respect to violence levels in Salinas, California. In order to determine specific environmental factors that affect violence in Salinas, the authors postulate nine broad independent variables (IVs) for analysis: Economy; Population; Housing; Education; Police Force; Prison Influence; Gang Rivalry; Social Service Programs; and Community Involvement. These independent variables were compared to the violence rate per capita in Salinas to determine which environmental factors influence violence in Salinas. Although data was not available for all of the IVs, the authors determined that the following factors influence violence in Salinas: the unemployment rate, average persons per household, vacant housing units, housing units per capita, the high school dropout rate, the high school graduation rate, the school average daily attendance, and the school budget. To lower overall violence levels, officials in Salinas should focus on: reducing the unemployment rate, the number of vacant housing units, and the high school dropout rate; and increasing the high school graduation rate and average daily attendance."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Clarke, Jason; Onufer, Tracy L.

  2009-12
• Assessing the Effectiveness of Deradicalization Programs for Islamist Extremists

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  "In recent counterterrorism efforts, several states have embarked on a new approach to the problem of countering radicalization of imprisoned extremists. Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Singapore have all implemented ideological-based deradicalization programs that attempt to change the ideologies held by these extremists and eventually allow for their release from prison and reintegration into normal society. Many factors seen in the deradicalization process are similar to those found in disengagement from a variety of other anti-social behaviors, including joining gangs, cults, and racist groups. They include engaging in ideological discussions, offering avenues for reintegration, and using family and peers as alternative networks of support to replace the radical milieu of extremism. Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Indonesia have each utilized some of these deradicalization techniques with varying degrees of success. Additionally, each country has approached the deradicalization process in a different way. Six general lessons emerge from these cases: success depends on the availability of: (1) adequate funding, (2) reform within the prison structure, (3) use of knowledgeable and well-respected Islamic clerics, (4) incorporation of cultural norms, (5) provision of monetary support to families of detainees, and (6) follow through with after-care programs."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Johnston, Amanda K.

  2009-12
• Review of the Department's Anti-Gang Intelligence and Coordination Centers

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  "The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) conducted this review to examine the intelligence and coordination activities of NGIC [National Gang Intelligence Center] and GangTECC [Gang Targeting, Enforcement, and Coordinating Center] (the Centers), and to assess the effectiveness of their contributions to the Department's anti-gang initiatives. Specifically, we examined whether the Centers provide comprehensive gang intelligence and coordination services to enhance gang investigations and prosecutions in the field. In addition, we assessed the effectiveness of the Department's management and co-location of the Centers. [...] Our review found that, after almost 3 years of operation, NGIC and GangTECC still have not made a significant impact on the Department's anti-gang activities. Despite being located in the same office suite, both NGIC and GangTECC are not effectively collaborating and are not sharing gang-related information. Most importantly, NGIC has not established a gang information database for collecting and disseminating gang intelligence as directed by statute. NGIC is perceived as predominately an FBI organization, and it has not developed the capability to effectively share gang intelligence and information with other law enforcement organizations. In contrast, we found that GangTECC has no budget and lacks the resources to carry out its mission. We also found that the Criminal Division has not filled an attorney position at GangTECC that is intended to enable it to provide guidance to law enforcement officials conducting gang investigations and prosecutions. [...] As a result of the above, NGIC and GangTECC are not effectively providing investigators and prosecutors with 'one-stop shopping' for gang information and assistance, and they are not contributing significantly to the Department's anti-gang initiatives."

  United States. Department of Justice. Evaluation and Inspections Division

  2009-11-13
• Solutions for Safer Communities: FY 2008 Annual Report to Congress

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  "In FY 2008, BJA [Bureau of Justice Assistance] focused its programmatic and policy efforts on providing a wide range of resources to law enforcement, courts, corrections, treatment, justice information sharing, and community-based partners to address emerging and chronic crime challenges nationwide. A brief look at a few of the many programs administered by BJA in FY 2008 reveals the following: Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funds provided more than $159 million to 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 5 territories for local, state, and tribal justice initiatives. Targeting Violent Crime Initiative funding, which was awarded in FY 2007, allowed the 103 participating local law enforcement agencies to seize more than 4,600 firearms and disrupt or dismantle more than 600 gangs. Gang Resistance Education And Training Program funds provided nearly $7.7 million for 85 local law enforcement agencies to implement the school-based law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum for thousands of elementary and middle school students nationwide. Public Safety Officers' Benefits were approved for more than 375 claims to provide benefits to survivors of America's fallen heroes. Tribal Initiatives were bolstered through three programs totaling more than $11 million for courts, treatment, and corrections efforts. Prescription Drug Monitoring funds totaling more than $7 million allowed states to enhance their capacity to collect and analyze controlled substance data. Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification Program funds totaling […]. These and other BJA efforts reflect the dedication, commitment, and successes of a nation of justice partners who believe that more can always be done to help reduce and prevent crime and enhance the criminal justice system."

  United States. Bureau of Justice Assistance

  2009-11
• CeaseFire: A Public Health Approach to Reduce Shootings and Killings

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  "The bloodshed in some of the Windy City's toughest neighborhoods declined substantially with the advent of the CeaseFire violence reduction program. A rigorous evaluation of the program, sponsored by the National Institute of Justice, confirmed anecdotal evidence that had already led officials in other cities to adopt Chicago's CeaseFire model. Researchers found that CeaseFire had a significant positive impact on many of the neighborhoods in which the program was implemented, including a decline of 16 to 28 percent in the number of shootings in four of the seven sites studied. 'Overall, the program areas grew notice-ably safer in six of the seven sites, and we concluded that there was evidence that decreases in the size and intensity of shooting hot spots were linked to the introduction of CeaseFire in four of those areas. In two other areas shooting hot spots waned, but evidence that this decline could be linked to CeaseFire was inconclusive,' the researchers reported. […] CeaseFire uses various tools to target this violence: 1.) Community mobilization. 2.) A major public education campaign. 3.) Services, such as GED programs, anger-management counseling, drug or alcohol treatment, and help finding child care or looking for a job, that can improve the lives of at-risk youth, including gang members. In their evaluation, the researchers detail the program's approaches to building collaborations in the CeaseFire sites."

  National Institute of Justice (U.S.)

  Ritter, Nancy

  2009-11
• EMR-ISAC: InfoGram 43-09 [October 29, 2009]

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  The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector.This issue includes the following articles: "Quick Guide to Gangs"; "Phencyclidine (PCP)"; "Hazards Warning"; "NIOSH [National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health] Safety Advisory"; and "USFA Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign".

  Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)

  2009-10-29
• Sensitive Covert Action Notifications: Oversight Options for Congress [September 25,2009]

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  "Legislation enacted in 1980 gave the executive branch authority to limit advance notification of especially sensitive covert actions to eight Members of Congress--the 'Gang of Eight'--when the President determines that it is essential to limit prior notice in order to meet extraordinary circumstances affecting U.S. vital interests. In such cases, the executive branch is permitted by statute to limit notification to the chairmen and ranking minority members of the two congressional intelligence committees, the Speaker and minority leader of the House, and Senate majority and minority leaders, rather than to notify the full intelligence committees, as is required in cases involving covert actions determined to be less sensitive. [...]. In its mark-up of H.R. 2701, the FY2010 Intelligence Authorization Act, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) replaced the Gang of Eight statutory provision, adopting in its place a statutory requirement that each of the intelligence committees establish written procedures as may be necessary to govern such notifications. According to Committee report language, the adopted provision vests the authority to limit such briefings with the committees, rather than the President. [...]. With Congress considering possible changes in covert action congressional notifications, this report describes the statutory provision authorizing Gang of Eight notifications, reviews the legislative history of the provision, and examines both the impact of such notifications on congressional oversight as well as options that Congress might consider to possibly improve oversight."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Cumming, Alfred

  2009-09-25
• 'Gang of Four' Congressional Intelligence Notifications [September 25,2009]

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  This Report to Congress contains information regarding, "'Gang of Four' intelligence notifications generally are oral briefings of certain particularly sensitive non-covert action intelligence activities, including principally, but not exclusively, intelligence collection programs, that the Intelligence Community typically limits to the chairmen and ranking members of the two congressional intelligence committees, and at times, but not always, to their respective staff directors. Gang of Four notifications are not based in statute but have constituted a practice generally accepted by the leadership of the intelligence committees and that is employed when the Intelligence Community believes a particular intelligence activity to be of such sensitivity that a restricted notification is warranted in order to reduce the risk of disclosure, inadvertent or otherwise. Intelligence activities viewed as being less sensitive typically are briefed to the full membership of each committee. [...] This report reviews the history of Gang of Four notification process and compares this procedure with that of the 'Gang of Eight' notification procedure. The 'Gang of Eight' procedure is statutorily based and provides that that the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the intelligence committee, along with the Speaker and minority leader of the House, and Senate majority and minority leaders--rather than the full membership of the intelligence committees--are to receive prior notice of particularly sensitive covert action programs, if the President determines that limited access to such programs is essential to meet extraordinary circumstances affecting vital U.S. interests."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Cumming, Alfred

  2009-09-25
• Property Abatements-The Other Gang Injunction Project T.O.U.G.H.

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  This report discusses gang activities in urban areas. From the text: "According to the Los Angeles Police Department, in the City of Los Angeles, approximately 60 percent of crimes occur at 10 percent of the properties--a statistic that is probably not exclusive to Los Angeles. The purpose of property abatements is to target the properties where people are repeatedly arrested but where criminal activities nonetheless persist. When these 10 percent of properties are connected to gang activity--which is increasingly the case--a nuisance property abatement action is initiated by prosecutors assigned to Project T.O.U.G.H. (Taking Out Urban Gang Headquarters), a specialized unit of the criminal branch of the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office. The nuisance abatement action improves conditions at the property so that criminals will not be able to use the property anymore. Gang property abatements are a critical, but sometimes overlooked, weapon in law enforcement's arsenal against gangs. Community members who work, live, or go to school in gang-plagued areas often are aware of private properties in their neighborhoods that are used by gangs to engage in criminal activity. For gang members, these properties are essential to their survival because they provide a safe haven to sell drugs and engage in other criminal activity."

  National Youth Gang Center (U.S.)

  Cristall, Jonathan; Forman-Echols, Liora

  2009-09
• Combating Gangs: Better Coordination and Performance Measurement Would Help Clarify Roles of Federal Agencies and Strengthen Assessment of Efforts, Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives

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  "The Department of Justice (DOJ) estimates that the United States has about a million gang members. While state and local agencies have primary responsibility for combating gang crime, the federal government has key roles to enforce laws and help fund programs to provide alternatives to gang membership for at-risk youth. GAO was asked to examine federal efforts to combat gang crime. This report addresses (1) the roles of DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in combating gang crime and the extent to which DOJ and DHS agencies coordinate their efforts with each other and state and local agencies; (2) the extent to which DOJ and DHS measure their gang enforcement efforts; and (3) how federal grant funding is used to administer or support activities to reduce gang-related crime. GAO reviewed federal agencies' plans, resources, and measures and interviewed federal, state, and local officials in 15 localities with federally led anti-gang task forces representing varying population sizes and locations. GAO recommends that DOJ reexamine roles of headquarters anti-gang entities, establish performance measures for antigang efforts, review USAO gangrelated case data, and, along with DHS, develop a common definition for 'gang.' DHS concurred with the recommendations; DOJ is considering whether to establish measures and a common definition and concurred with the other recommendations."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2009-07-24
• 'Gang of Four' Congressional Intelligence Notifications [July 14, 2009]

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  "'Gang of Four' intelligence notifications generally are oral briefings of certain particularly sensitive non-covert action intelligence activities, including principally, but not exclusively, intelligence collection programs, that the Intelligence Community typically limits to the chairmen and ranking members of the two congressional intelligence committees, and at times, but not always, to their respective staff directors. [...]. Congress has said that its intent in this regard is that in extremely rare circumstances a need to preserve essential secrecy may result in a decision not to impart certain sensitive aspects of operations or collection programs to the intelligence oversight committees in order to protect extremely sensitive intelligence sources and methods. With regard to the phrase 'other exceptionally sensitive matters,' Congress has said its intent in using this phrase is to refer to other extremely sensitive categories of classified information such as information concerning the operational details of military deployment and extraordinarily sensitive diplomatic contacts, which the intelligence committees do not routinely require to satisfy their responsibilities. This report reviews the history of Gang of Four notification process and compares this procedure with that of the 'Gang of Eight' notification procedure. The 'Gang of Eight' procedure is statutorily based and provides that that the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the intelligence committee, along with the Speaker and minority leader of the House, and Senate majority and minority leaders--rather than the full membership of the intelligence committees--are to receive prior notice of particularly sensitive covert action programs, if the President determines that limited access to such programs is essential to meet extraordinary circumstances affecting vital U.S. interests."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Cumming, Alfred

  2009-07-14
• Sensitive Covert Action Notifications: Oversight Options For Congress [July 7, 2009]

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  "Legislation enacted in 1980 gave the executive branch authority to limit advance notification of especially sensitive covert actions to eight Members of Congress--the 'Gang of Eight'--when the President determines that it is essential to limit prior notice in order to meet extraordinary circumstances affecting U.S. vital interests. In such cases, the executive branch is permitted by statute to limit notification to the chairmen and ranking minority members of the two congressional intelligence committees, the Speaker and minority leader of the House, and Senate majority and minority leaders, rather than to notify the full intelligence committees, as is required in cases involving covert actions determined to be less sensitive. [...] In its mark-up of the FY2010 Intelligence Authorization Act, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) eliminated the Gang of Eight statutory provision, adopting instead a statutory requirement that each of the intelligence committees establish written procedures to govern such notifications. According to Committee report language, the adopted provision vests the authority to limit such briefings with the committees, rather than the President. [...] With Congress considering a possible change, this memorandum describes the statutory provision authorizing Gang of Eight notifications, reviews the legislative history of the provision, and examines both the impact of such notifications on congressional oversight as well as options that Congress might consider to possibly improve oversight."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Cumming, Alfred

  2009-07-07
• Mérida Initiative for Mexico and Central America: Funding and Policy Issues [Updated July 6, 2009]

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  "In October 2007, the United States and Mexico announced the Mérida Initiative, a three-year program of U.S. assistance to Mexico and Central America to combat drug trafficking, gangs,andorganizedcrime. Named for the location of a March 2007 meeting between Presidents George W. Bush and Felipe Calderón of Mexico, the Mérida Initiative seeks to expand bilateral and regional anticrime and counterdrug cooperation. In June 2008, the 110th Congress appropriated $465 million in supplemental assistance for Mexico, Central America, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic in the FY2008 Supplemental Appropriations Act (P.L. 110-252). On December 3, 2008, the United States and Mexico signed a Letter of Agreement, allowing $197 million in Mérida funds to be disbursed. In the first six months of 2009, the Central American countries all signed Letters of Agreement with the United States. The Bush Administration requested a second installment of Mérida funding-$450 million for Mexico and $100 million for Central America-in its FY2009 budget request. Congress did not include Mérida Initiative funding in a continuing resolution because the initial pot of Mérida funding was provided through a supplemental assistance measure. For this reason, it was taken up early in the first session of the 111th Congress in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act (P.L. 111- 8) signed into law in March 2009 and Mexico, Central America, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic received a total of $410 million. [...] This report provides an overview and discussion of the funding provided for Mérida, and presents several issues that Congress may consider as it oversees implementation of the Initiative and shapes its future direction."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Beittel, June S.; Seelke, Clare Ribando

  2009-07-06
• LLIS Good Story: The Indiana Department of Correction and the Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center Partnership

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  "The Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) and the Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center (IIFC) partnered to facilitate information exchange and collaboration. The partnership has established the Law Enforcement Notification System (LENS), the Fugitive Apprehension Unit, and the Gang Intelligence Initiative. [...] The IDOC oversees the operations of 32 correctional facilities that house 27,000 inmates across Indiana's 10 parole districts. Recent increases in inmate radicalization, gang violence, and repeat offenders across the state prompted IDOC officials to reevaluate and prioritize their information requirements. IDOC officials wanted to be able to better recognize and respond to these threats by having access to federal, state, and local threat assessments, intelligence products, and information databases. Additionally, while the IDOC releases approximately 16,500 inmates each year, the department had no mechanism for notifying law enforcement officers in a particular jurisdiction of an imminent inmate release. The IDOC also lacked resources to investigate outstanding cases of inmates who violated their paroles or absconded from prison."

  Lessons Learned Information Sharing (LLIS)

  2009-06-12?
• Future of Raiding: Lessons in Raiding Tactics from the Indian Wars and Law Enforcement

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  "The War on Terror is a fight between states and non-state actors. In this struggle, raiding has emerged as an important tactic used to deny enemy safe haven, to kill and capture known terrorists, and to gain vital intelligence to relentlessly pursue terrorists worldwide. Conducting raids is one method that coalition partners must utilize in order to defeat terrorist networks. This thesis specifically explores: how, when, and where raids prove strategically useful; how different forces conduct raids; and which techniques achieve strategic gains via raids. To pre-empt, prevent, and disrupt terrorist organizations from successfully waging their brand of warfare, it is likely that the United States and Coalition partners must continue to pursue raiding operations under certain situations and utilizing modern techniques. This thesis argues, through the study of the Indian Wars from 1800--1890, and law enforcement raiding techniques used against gangs in the United States, that utilizing the appropriate raiding technique at the correct time and place under the appropriate circumstances 'can' significantly disrupt or destroy networked terrorist organizations."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Brunkow, Corey A.

  2009-06
• Merida Initiative for Mexico and Central America: Funding and Policy Issues [June 1, 2009]

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  "Increasing violence perpetrated by drug trafficking organizations, gangs, and other criminal groups is threatening citizen security in Mexico and Central America. Drug-related violence claimed more than 5,300 lives in Mexico in 2008, and several Central American countries have some of the highest homicide rates in the world. Mexican drug cartels dominate the illicit drug market in most regions of the United States and are expanding their operations by forming partnerships with U.S. gangs. As a result, some of the drug-related violence in Mexico has begun to spillover into the United States. On October 22, 2007, the United States and Mexico announced the Mérida Initiative, a multi-year proposal for $1.4 billion in U.S. assistance to Mexico and Central America aimed at combating drug trafficking and organized crime. The Administration requested $500 million for Mexico and $50 million for Central America in FY2008 supplemental appropriations, and another $450 million for Mexico and $100 million for Central America in the FY2009 budget request. While the Bush Administration did not request any additional funding for domestic programs to complement the Mérida Initiative, U.S. officials pledged to step up efforts to prevent arms, precursor chemicals, and bulk cash flows from the United States into Mexico, and to reduce U.S. drug demand. [...]This report provides an overview of the funding provided for the Mérida Initiative and a discussion of some policy issues that Congress may consider as it oversees implementation of the Initiative. For related information, see CRS Report RL32724, Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress, by Mark P. Sullivan and June S. Beittel. This report will be updated."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Seelke, Clare Ribando; Beittel, June S.

  2009-06-01
• Mexico's Drug-Related Violence [May 27, 2009]

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  "Drug-related violence in Mexico has spiked in recent years as drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) have competed for control of smuggling routes into the United States. [...] President Felipe Calderón... [has] made battling the Mexican drug trafficking organizations a top priority. [...] In response to the government's crackdown, the DTOs have responded with escalating violence. [...] The government's intensified campaign against the DTOs resulted in changes in the structure of these criminal organizations. The seven major DTOs in Mexico have reconfigured. The fracturing of some of the most powerful drug trafficking syndicates and the reemergence of once powerful DTOs have led to bloody conflict within and among the DTOs. [...] In October 2007, [the U.S. and Mexico] announced the Mérida Initiative to combat drug trafficking, gangs and organized crime... To date, the U.S. Congress has appropriated a total of $700 million for Mexico under the Mérida Initiative. The program, which combines counternarcotics equipment and training with rule of law and justice reform efforts, is still in its initial stages of implementation. [...] This report examines the causes for the escalation of the violence in Mexico. It provides a brief overview of Mexico's counterdrug efforts, a description of the major DTOs, the causes and trends in the violence, the Calderón government's efforts to crackdown on the DTOs, and the objectives and implementation of the Mérida Initiative as a response to the violence in Mexico."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Beittel, June S.

  2009-05-27
• Global Metropolitan Policing: An Emerging Trend in Intelligence Sharing

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  "Terrorism has local and global dimensions. Local police are best positioned to understand their communities and local threat environment. Yet transnational terrorist and criminal enterprises link in interactive networks. In response, local police agencies are cooperating with their counterparts at national and foreign agencies to understand and counter these criminal and terrorist organizations. Global metropolitan policing is the term used to describe this emerging trend in police cooperation in sharing intelligence and best practices. This article explores the developments that lead urban police departments to interact with foreign law enforcement, intelligence, and diplomatic agencies, as well as private sector and non-governmental organizations. It describes why and how police agencies are forging global links to counter terrorism, transnational gangs, and organized crime."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Wirtz, James J., 1958-; Sullivan, John P.

  2009-05
• Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress [Updated May 1, 2009]

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  "The United States and Mexico have a close and complex bilateral relationship, with extensive economic linkages as neighbors and partners under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Since 1994, trade between the countries has more than quadrupled. Bilateral relations are close, and characterized by extensive commercial and cultural ties and cooperation on a range of bilateral and international issues. A current trade dispute with the United States involves the implementation of NAFTA trucking provisions. In March 2009, Congress terminated a pilot-project for Mexican-registered trucks to operate beyond the 25-mile border commercial zone with the United States, and Mexico responded by imposing import tariffs on over 90 U.S. agricultural and industrial products. Drug trafficking issues are prominent in relations since Mexico is the leading transit country for cocaine, a leading supplier of methamphetamine and heroin, and the leading foreign supplier of marijuana. Shortly after taking office in December 2006, President Felipe Calderón launched operations against Mexican drug trafficking organizations. […]. U.S.-Mexican cooperation on drug trafficking has intensified over the past several years, and both countries announced the Mérida Initiative in October 2007 to combat drug trafficking, gangs, and organized crime in Mexico and Central America. […]. The 111th Congress is maintaining an active interest in Mexico with myriad counternarcotics, border, and trade issues dominating the agenda. To date, there have already been a dozen hearings dealing with the increased violence in Mexico as well as U.S. foreign assistance and border security efforts. Comprehensive immigration reform efforts once again could be considered in the 111th Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.

  2009-05-01
• State and Nonstate Associated Gangs: Credible 'Midwives of New Social Orders'

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  "This monograph introduces a misunderstood aspect of 'wars among the people.' The author addresses the interesting subject of the multifaceted nature and predominant role of gangs operating as state and nonstate proxies in the modern unbalanced global security environment. In every phase of the process of compelling radical political change, agitator-gangs and popular militias play significant roles in helping their political patrons prepare to take control of a targeted political-social entity. As a result, gangs (bandas criminales or whatever they may be called) are important components of a highly complex political-psychological-military act--contemporary irregular asymmetrical political war. In these terms, this monograph is relevant to modern political discussions regarding 'new' socialism, populism and neopopulism, and hegemonic state and nonstate challenges to stronger opponents. More specifically, this monograph examines examples of contemporary populism and neopopulism, 21st century socialism, and a nonstate actor (al-Qaeda) seeking regional and global hegemony. They are: first, paramilitary gang permutations in Colombia that are contributing significantly to the erosion of the Colombian state and its democratic institutions, and implementing the anti-system objectives of their elite neo-populist sponsors; second, Hugo Chavez's use of the New Socialism and popular militias to facilitate his populist Bolivarian dream of creating a mega-state in Latin America; and, third, al-Qaeda's strategic and hegemonic use of political-criminal gangs to coerce substantive change in Spanish and other Western European foreign and defense policy and governance."

  Army War College (U.S.). Strategic Studies Institute

  Manwaring, Max G.

  2009-05
• Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress [April 14, 2009]

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  "The United States and Mexico have a close and complex bilateral relationship, with extensive economic linkages as neighbors and partners under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Since 1994, trade between the countries has more than quadrupled. Bilateral relations are close, and characterized by extensive commercial and cultural ties and cooperation on a range of bilateral and international issues. A current trade dispute with the United States involves the implementation of NAFTA trucking provisions. In March 2009, Congress terminated a pilot-project for Mexican-registered trucks to operate beyond the 25-mile border commercial zone with the United States, and Mexico responded by imposing import tariffs on over 90 U.S. agricultural and industrial products. Drug trafficking issues are prominent in relations since Mexico is the leading transit country for cocaine, a leading supplier of methamphetamine and heroin, and the leading foreign supplier of marijuana. Shortly after taking office in December 2006, President Felipe Calderón launched operations against Mexican drug trafficking organizations. […]. U.S.-Mexican cooperation on drug trafficking has intensified over the past several years, and both countries announced the Mérida Initiative in October 2007 to combat drug trafficking, gangs, and organized crime in Mexico and Central America. […]. The 111th Congress is maintaining an active interest in Mexico with myriad counternarcotics, border, and trade issues dominating the agenda. To date, there have already been a dozen hearings dealing with the increased violence in Mexico as well as U.S. foreign assistance and border security efforts. Comprehensive immigration reform efforts once again could be considered in the 111th Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.

  2009-04-14
• Highlights of the 2007 National Youth Gang Survey

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  This fact sheet from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention discusses the findings from the 2007 National Youth Gang Survey. "Following a marked decline from the mid 1990s to the early 2000s, a steady resurgence of gang problems has occurred in recent years. More than one third of the jurisdictions in the National Youth Gang Survey (NYGS) study population experienced gang problems in 2007, the highest annual estimate since before 2000. Within the four area types surveyed, 86 percent of law enforcement agencies that serve larger cities, 50 percent of agencies that serve suburban counties, 35 percent of agencies that serve smaller cities, and 15 percent of agencies that serve rural counties reported experiencing youth gang problems in 2007."

  United States. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

  2009-04
• Gangs and Transnational Criminals Threaten Central American Stability

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  From the thesis abstract: "The recent expansion of gangs and transnational crime poses a significant threat to Central American stability. Central American nations generally lack the infrastructure to capture and prosecute these gang members; therefore, they continue to breed instability within the region and have exported their criminal activity in remarkable fashion. This Central American instability negatively impacts U.S. national security interests abroad and is detrimental to U.S. domestic security. This paper will explore and research the depth of this problem and its impacts on U.S. national security. It will also provide critical analysis and recommend courses of action for U.S. policy options, to include a key element for success: regional cooperation to interdict the expansion of Central American gangs and transnational criminal organizations in concert with our Central American neighbors."

  Army War College (U.S.)

  Gray, Howard L.

  2009-03-10
• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Annual Report 2008: How OJJDP is Serving Children, Families and Communities

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  "The 2008 Annual Report highlights the important work carried out by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's (OJJDP's) dedicated men and women in partnership with States, localities, and talented individuals across our country. We have developed many effective tools and strategies to address juvenile delinquency--from the highly functioning Council to the SMART geospatial mapping tool, a Web-accessible application that communities can use to position local resources to help prevent crime and delinquency. OJJDP also has created the Model Programs Guide, which provides proven strategies for addressing a range of juvenile justice issues. These and other resources described throughout this Report will provide strong support for OJJDP's ongoing mission and new initiatives in FY 2009 and beyond. This Report describes the important work of faith-based and small community organizations on everything from mentoring youth in detention to helping gang-involved youth. Their work demonstrates the power we can harness from people who live and work in the communities where the needs are greatest. We need every hand at the tasks before us, and this work demonstrates that these partners can provide invaluable assistance, which should be continued in the years to come."

  United States. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

  2009-03
• How is MS-13 a Threat to US National Security?

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  From the thesis introduction: "This paper will look at the international threat from MS-13 by examining the gang's history and identifying the characteristics that make MS-13 an international problem. The paper will then identify immediate and developing areas of concern and recommend how the US should mitigate the resulting threats."

  Air University (U.S.). Air War College

  Riney, Thomas J.

  2009-02-12
• EMR-ISAC: InfoGram 5-09 [February 5, 2009]

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  This document from the Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center is "distributed weekly to provide members of the Emergency Services Sector with information concerning the protection of their critical infrastructures." This edition includes sections about "avoiding cyber attacks," the 2009 National Gang Threat Assessment, grant opportunities, and the Chemical Transportation Emergency Center.

  Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)

  2009-02-05
• Merida Initiative for Mexico and Central America: Funding and Policy Issues [January 13, 2009]

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  "Increasing violence perpetrated by drug trafficking organizations, gangs, and other criminal groups is threatening citizen security in Mexico and Central America. Drug-related violence claimed more than 5,300 lives in Mexico in 2008, and several Central American countries have some of the highest homicide rates in the world. Mexican drug cartels dominate the illicit drug market in most regions of the United States and are expanding their operations by forming partnerships with U.S. gangs. As a result, some of the drug-related violence in Mexico has begun to spillover into the United States. On October 22, 2007, the United States and Mexico announced the Mérida Initiative, a multi-year proposal for $1.4 billion in U.S. assistance to Mexico and Central America aimed at combating drug trafficking and organized crime. The Administration requested $500 million for Mexico and $50 million for Central America in FY2008 supplemental appropriations, and another $450 million for Mexico and $100 million for Central America in the FY2009 budget request. While the Bush Administration did not request any additional funding for domestic programs to complement the Mérida Initiative, U.S. officials pledged to step up efforts to prevent arms, precursor chemicals, and bulk cash flows from the United States into Mexico, and to reduce U.S. drug demand. [...]This report provides an overview of the funding provided for the Mérida Initiative and a discussion of some policy issues that Congress may consider as it oversees implementation of the Initiative. For related information, see CRS Report RL32724, Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress, by Mark P. Sullivan and June S. Beittel. This report will be updated."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Seelke, Clare Ribando

  2009-01-13
• Guatemala at a Crossroads, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, First Session, June 9, 2009

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  This is testimony from the June 9, 2009, hearing entitled "Guatemala at a Crossroads," held by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. From the opening statement of Eliot L. Engel : "Recent media attention on Latin America has focused overwhelmingly on President Calderon's battle against Mexico's drug cartels. Meanwhile, Mexican cartels have moved more aggressively than ever into Guatemala, a country with weaker institutions than its neighbor to the north. […]. Drug-related violence in Guatemala unfortunately complicates an already difficult situation. Guatemala has a long history of violence, and one of the highest murder rates in Latin America. In a report to the Guatemalan Congress, the country's Human Rights Ombudsman noted that 2008 was the 'bloodiest year of our history' with 6,292 homicide victims. Illegally armed groups, drug cartels and youth gangs are contributing to spiraling violence. […]. It's time to say 'enough is enough.'" Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Eduardo Stein Barillas, Anita Isaacs, Mark Schneider, Stephen Johnson, Eliot L. Engel and Dan Burton.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2009
• Strengthening School Safety through Prevention of Bullying, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities and the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education of the Committee on Education and Labor, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress First Session, July 8, 2009

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  From the opening statement of Carolyn McCarthy: "I came to Congress as a result of violence, and I have worked for years to try to reduce violence in our schools and in our country. Throughout this hearing we will explore the different areas of concern we have related to school safety and ideas on how to address them. [...] Violence and bullying prevention is necessary to a successful academic career. We need to take these threats seriously and we must act on them to prevent further tragedies." Information on gang-related violence is also included in this hearing. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Michael N. Castle, Jon C. Marshall, Joseph W. Mazzola, Sanford N. McDonnell, Ruben Hinojosa, Dale E. Kildee, Carolyn McCarthy, American Association of University Women, American Psychological Association, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund, Jennifer Chrisler, Meredith Fenton, Stephanie Stines, Joan Cole Duffell, Eliza Byard, Girl Scouts of the USA, Joe Solmonese, Kate Kendell, Jody Huckaby, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), Luis Sierra, Randi Weingarten, Todd Russell, Linda T. Sanchez, Jacquelyn Andrews, Josie Andrews, Rona C. Kaufmann, Scott Poland, Steve Riach, Cassady Tetsworth, Kenneth S. Trump, and Sirdeaner Walker."

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2009