Where, why and how did gangs originate?

It was not until the late 1960s when the Crips and Bloods-the two most violent and criminally active African American gangs-originated. The Crips began forming in southeast Los Angeles by terrorizing local neighborhoods and schools with assaults and strong-arm robberies. read more

Hispanic gangs also began in Los Angeles in the 1920s. Early gangs were comprised of young males between the ages of 14 and 20. Asian gangs did not arise in the United States until the 1970s, when the first Vietnamese gangs began committing thefts and home robberies. read more

Gangs in America originated around the time of the Civil War formed by mostly Irish American kids. Later they turned to criminal activity and by the turn of the century there were gangs of many different ethnic origins. There were Jewish gangs, Irish, Polish, Italian, etc. By the 1950s most gangs were black or Hispanic. read more

How did Gangs Originate "Once found principally in large cities, violent street gangs now affect public safety, community image, and quality of life in communities of all sizes in urban, suburban, and rural areas. read more