Policing Juvenile Gangs 41Despite claims of harassment by youths who are not affiliated with gangs, Torok
and Trump (1994) state that crimes are often solved quickly or prevented altogether
by stripping gang members of their anonymity. The U.S. Treasury Department's
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) contends that not only do gang-
tracking databases give accurate pictures ot gang activities and membership but
that a national intelligence network is necessary it law enforcement is to effectively
confront violent gangs (Higgins, 1993).
Civil gang injunctions are also being used as a preemptive strike against gang-
related crime. Using civil gang injunctions, prosecutors can prohibit members of
a particular street gang from participating in criminal activities such as graffiti or
possessing weapons as well as engaging in conduct which facilitates criminal activity
that is typically not illegal. According to the Los Angeles City Attorney Gang Pros-
ecution Section (1995), "...aggressive enforcement of an injunction enables law
enforcement to effectively prevent imminent criminal activity by arresting persons
for prohibited patterns of conduct which are known to precede and facilitate these
crimes" (p. 325). For example, those members of the gang named in the injunction
could be enjoined (prohibited) by a court from activities like wearing pagers, dress-
ing in gang attire, flashing "handsigns," approaching and soliciting business from
pedestrians and passing vehicles, or gathering at specified locations such as a city
park. This is a proactive technique that is designed to enable uniformed officers to
arrest gang members before a drug deal is consummated or any other gang-related
crime is committed.
Critics raise the question if the desire for safe streets overrides constitutionally
protected rights such as the right to free assembly and the concern of where gang
members will congregate as a result of being pushed from one park or neigh-
borhood (Pyle, 1995). Research suggests that the underlying causes for juvenile
gang participation or prevention are largely ignored by enforcement strategies
alone.
Forensic Psychology and Policy Implications
The current trend in gang policy involves gang suppression and deterrence, while
some argue that prevention and rehabilitation possibilities are neglected. According
to the Los Angeles City Attorney Gang Prosecution Section (1995), little effort
is being made to change the social conditions that make juvenile gangs a viable
option for a growing number of youths. Civil gang injunctions and gang-tracking
databases are representative of this thrust in gang policy. Opponents question their
effectiveness and maintain that the civil rights of gang members are being infringed
upon.
According to Klein (1995), the gang subculture discourages the acceptance
or assignment of legitimacy to police, prosecution, and court definitions of
acceptable behaviors. Additionally, he states that deterrence strategies may not
only inhibit the expression of fear of sanctions, but encourage the bravado that