Imagine that you are a member of an organized crime group in a major U.S. city. You are facing resistance from law enforcement in the city, so you decide to establish a new operation in a surrounding suburb. You figure you may not experience the same level of scrutiny there. What might prevent you from infiltrating that community, beginning to recruit members, and “setting up shop”?
Combating criminal organizations is not just a reactive endeavor; it is also a proactive one. In other words, the goal is not only to fight existing crime groups but to deter new ones from taking hold. Criminal justice professionals must work together with community members and other individuals such as social workers to address root causes—racial and socioeconomic disparities, issues in adolescent psychological and social development, and more.
This week, you turn your attention to preventative strategies that can be employed to protect communities against gangs and criminal organizations.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
Recommend preventative strategies to combat criminal organizations
Apply learning to personal experiences with gangs and organized crime groups