42 2 Police and Law Enforcement—-Juvenile Porensicsaccompanies antisocial or criminal activities while increasing group cohesiveness.
Recognizing the limitations of enforcement strategies alone, gang policies need to
encompass more comprehensive programs addressing the root causes ot juvenile
gangs.
Research indicates that aggressive policing strategies might curb the incidence ot
gang activity in a particular area for a period of time; however, factors influencing
juveniles to join gangs have tremendous psychological and sociological origins.
Various factors such as a sense of belonging; the need for recognition and power; a
sense of self-worth and status; the desire for a place of acceptance; a search for love,
structure, and discipline; the need for physical safety and protection; and, in some
instances, a family tradition motivate juveniles to join gangs (M. Walker, Schmidt,
& Lunghofer, 1993). Juveniles who are drawn to gangs generally live in a subculture
where attachments to families, friends, and teachers are lacking and involvement in
prosocial activities are minimal or nonexistent. As a result, the stringent enforcement
of gang laws or policing tactics may only decrease gang activity in one neighborhood
while displacing it into another.
Forensic psychologists have a critical role in a more comprehensive strategy
of gang suppression. With specialized training in the psychological aspects of a
gang as well as the criminological theories and sociocultural factors that influence
gang membership and activity, forensic psychologists can work in conjunction with
various law enforcement agencies and school districts to identify and counsel those
youths who are at risk or who are actively involved in a gang. Conflict resolution and
conflict mediation strategies are being utilized by forensic psychologists working
with juvenile gang members. These strategies are being used to provide these youths
with the skills and insight to nonaggressively manage conflict. A structured network
of aggressive policing and prosecuting illegal gang activity serves as a deterrent to
active gang members. Providing educational programs, conflict resolution strategies,
and professional psychological services to both juvenile gang members and those
juveniles at risk of joining a gang could more effectively address the problem of
juvenile gangs.
As juvenile membership continues to grow, the examination of the issues that
make gangs so attractive to our youths could make a more lasting and signifi-
cant impact on the gang epidemic. Research demonstrates that gangs satisfy im-
portant needs for many youths who are denied access to power, privileges, and
resources. These same youths find it difficult to meet many psychological and phys-
ical needs and feel alienated and neglected at home (Click, 1992). In the face of
such strong motivating influences, being arrested or incarcerated is infrequently a
deterrent.
Aggressive enforcement of antigang tactics is only one component of an overall
comprehensive gang strategy that includes intelligence gathering, school interven-
tion, graffiti abatement, vertical prosecution, community support, conflict resolu-
tion strategies, and professional psychological services. Juvenile gangs are a complex
problem requiring a complex solution. According to Brantley and DiRosa (1994).