I Need This Back By Wednesday 011321 Week 1 Introduction To

I Need This Back By Wednesday 011321week 1 Introduction To Criminal

The movies and media have often portrayed the seductive nature of gangs and organized crime—from Goodfellas to The Wire and The Sopranos—painting their members as a slick, confident “family” operating above the law, or at least alongside it. In reality, criminal organizations are less glamorous than they are destructive. Such organizations contribute to drug and gun proliferation, as well as violence, and negatively impact the communities in which they operate. They also may be more prevalent than you think, their roots spreading even to rural areas of the United States.

The goal of the course is to study criminal organizations so that you, as a professional, can combat their activities and the lasting effects of those activities. This week, as an introduction, you define and compare street gangs, organized crime groups, and terrorist groups. You also reflect on firsthand experiences with these groups as a way to gauge your existing understanding.

Learning Objectives

• Differentiate between street gangs, organized crime groups, and terrorist groups
• Reflect on personal experiences with street gangs, organized crime, and terrorism

Learning Resources

Note: To access this week’s library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings:

• Howell, J. C., & Griffiths, E. (2018). Gangs in America’s communities (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
• Chapter 3, “Defining Gangs and Gang Members” (pp. 51–80)
• Ball, R. A., & Curry, G. D. (1995). The logic of definition in criminology: Purposes and methods for defining “gangs.” Criminology, 33(2), 225–245. doi:10.1111/j..1995.tb01177.x
• Hagan, F. E. (2006). “Organized Crime” and “organized crime”: Indeterminate problems of definition. Trends in Organized Crime, 9(4), 127–137. doi:10.1007/s
• National Gang Center. (n.d.-a). Frequently asked questions about gangs. Retrieved May 4, 2019, from
• Pyrooz, D. C., LaFree, G., Decker, S. H., & James, P. A. (2018). Cut from the same cloth? A comparative study of domestic extremists and gang members in the United States. Justice Quarterly, 35(1), 1–32. doi:10.1080/.2017.
• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2018a, April). Module 1: Definitions of organized crime. Retrieved from
• U.S. Department of Justice. (n.d.-c). Transnational organized crime. Retrieved May 4, 2019, from
• Zubrzycki, W. (2015). Similarities and differences between organized crime and terrorism. Internal Security, 7(2), 53–70. doi:10.5604/.

Discussion: Street Gangs, Organized Crime Groups, and Terrorist Groups

In every book or article you read, you may find different definitions of street gangs, organized crime groups, and terrorist groups. This is because there is no such thing as a prototypical gang, organized crime group, or terrorist group. On one hand, there are similarities in themes within and across these groups, such as participation in illegal activities and widespread violence. On the other hand, there are also important distinctions among these groups in terms of their structures, tactics, memberships, and cultures. In this discussion, you examine the distinctions among street gangs, organized crime groups, and terrorist groups and consider why it is so difficult to define and distinguish these groups.

By Day 3, post a response that addresses the following:

• What are the differences between and among street gangs, organized crime groups, and terrorist groups? Be sure to use specific examples to support your response.
• Explain why it may be difficult to define and distinguish between street gangs, organized crime groups, and terrorist groups.

Paper For Above instruction

The distinctions among street gangs, organized crime groups, and terrorist organizations are complex and multifaceted, with each presenting unique characteristics while also sharing certain overlaps that muddy clear categorization. Understanding these differences and the challenges in defining them is vital for law enforcement, policymakers, and the public to formulate effective strategies against these groups. This paper aims to analyze the differences among these groups and explore why their definitions are often elusive.

Differences Between and Among Street Gangs, Organized Crime Groups, and Terrorist Groups

Street gangs are typically localized, informal groups characterized by their small size, territoriality, and loyalty-based membership. They often engage in criminal activities such as drug selling, assault, and theft primarily for economic gain and social cohesion. An example is the Bloods and Crips, notorious street gangs in Los Angeles known for their violent conflicts and territorial disputes (Howell & Griffiths, 2018). Their operations are usually limited geographically, with strong bonds among members built on kinship and neighborhood ties.

Organized crime groups, on the other hand, are larger, hierarchically structured entities involved in a range of illegal enterprises that often extend beyond localities, crossing national and international borders. Their main aim is criminal profit maximization through systematic illegal activities such as drug trafficking, human smuggling, and arms dealing. For instance, the Italian Mafia, such as Cosa Nostra, exemplifies organized crime with its sophisticated hierarchy and strong codes of conduct, often infiltrating legitimate businesses (Hagan, 2006). Unlike street gangs, they engage in long-term strategic planning and maintain a presence in both legitimate and illegal sectors.

Terrorist groups are distinguished primarily by their ideological objectives rather than economic motives. Their key aim is to instill fear, achieve political or religious goals, and influence state or societal policies through violence and intimidation. Al-Qaeda and ISIS are prominent examples, targeting civilians and government institutions to propagate their ideological narratives (Zubrzycki, 2015). Their operations may involve plans that span multiple countries, utilizing sophisticated communication and recruitment networks to mobilize supporters worldwide.

Reasons Why It Is Difficult to Define and Distinguish Among These Groups

One major reason for the difficulty in clearly defining and distinguishing these groups lies in their overlapping behaviors and strategies. For example, some street gangs have adopted organized crime practices such as trafficking, blurring the lines between simple local gangs and more structured criminal enterprises. Conversely, some terrorist organizations engage in criminal activities like drug trafficking to fund their operations, which aligns them more closely with criminal groups (Pyrooz et al., 2018). This convergence complicates efforts to categorize their actions strictly.

Another factor is the fluidity and adaptability of these groups. Many terrorist organizations evolve their tactics over time, sometimes functioning as loosely connected cells, which makes them hard to classify definitively. Similarly, organized crime groups often blend legitimate business with illegal activities, making their activities appear less distinct from legal enterprises. Additionally, some groups may shift roles, transitioning from street gangs to organized crime or terrorist entities based on political, social, or economic pressures.

Furthermore, the motivations behind these groups can be multifaceted, with economic, social, political, and ideological factors intersecting. For instance, a gang may initially start for economic reasons but later adopt ideological aims tied to political violence, making categorizations less straightforward. The lack of universally accepted definitions further hampers efforts to draw clear delineations, leading to debates within academic and law enforcement communities (Ball & Curry, 1995).

Conclusion

In conclusion, while street gangs, organized crime groups, and terrorist organizations exhibit distinct features, their overlapping tactics, shifting roles, and multifaceted motivations create significant challenges in cleanly defining and differentiating them. Recognizing these complexities is critical for developing nuanced, effective responses to criminal and terrorist threats, tailored to their specific structures and objectives. A comprehensive understanding that considers the fluid boundaries among these groups remains essential for analysts, law enforcement, and policymakers working to combat emerging threats.

References

• Ball, R. A., & Curry, G. D. (1995). The logic of definition in criminology: Purposes and methods for defining “gangs.” Criminology, 33(2), 225–245. doi:10.1111/j..1995.tb01177.x
• Hagan, F. E. (2006). “Organized Crime” and “organized crime”: Indeterminate problems of definition. Trends in Organized Crime, 9(4), 127–137. doi:10.1007/s
• Howell, J. C., & Griffiths, E. (2018). Gangs in America’s communities (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
• Pyrooz, D. C., LaFree, G., Decker, S. H., & James, P. A. (2018). Cut from the same cloth? A comparative study of domestic extremists and gang members in the United States. Justice Quarterly, 35(1), 1–32. doi:10.1080/.2017.
• Zubrzycki, W. (2015). Similarities and differences between organized crime and terrorism. Internal Security, 7(2), 53–70. doi:10.5604/.
• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2018a, April). Module 1: Definitions of organized crime. Retrieved from
• U.S. Department of Justice. (n.d.-c). Transnational organized crime. Retrieved May 4, 2019, from