Understand gang codes of conduct

Headnote

Gang violence often revolves around issues of respect and misguided loyalties.

What exactly does "gang membership" mean? There are many behaviors that have been associated with the gang subculture. One such behavior is the use of violence to settle problems between rival street gangs. Gang violence has been directed at rival gang members, innocent civilians, criminal justice professionals, military personnel and members of the same gang. United States statistics show that at least half of the victims of gang violence are innocent civilian bystanders. But how does violence and gang crime help the gang and why is it done?

When a person begins to associate with a gang or with gang members, a learning process starts. It is part of the courting process, an indoctrination to the gang subculture, the gang code, ethics and morals are shared. Early on in the education process the person may start to change his or her behaviors. Often, what is seen is a change in dress styles, language, presence of tattoos, attitude and delinquent behavioral changes.

The gang offers positive reinforcement for this change. It takes the form of friendship, love, direction, status and guidance. As the person becomes more familiar with the gang code, the changes become more pronounced. A transformation is seen, like when a person enters boot camp and then graduates. That person is familiar with the military codes of conduct and looks and acts differently. Essential to this learning process is the fact that respect and reputation for the individual gang member and the gang is earned through the use of violence in criminal actions.

Respect and Reputation

Gang members and affiliates learn that respect and reputation depends on their support of the gang. The support involves participation in criminal behavior. The more support that is given, the more respect and reputation is gained for the individual and gang. Criminal behavior only enhances the gang member's status within the gang and is expected, since it is part of the gang code. Not following the gang code leads to a loss of respect and damages the reputation for the gang member and the gang.

When a...