Global-History

Jamiacan Gangsters are commonly called "Rude Boys"

The Bad Boyz of the Yakuza gang sporting their common gang tattoos

Janjaweed translates in Arabic to "a man with a gun on a horse"

Darfur, Sudan
In Darfur, Sudan, lives one of the most notorious gangs in the world: The Janjaweed. The Janjaweed first appeared in 1988 when Chad, France, and America defeated the Libyan army. The Libyan political party then moved into Darfur and were hosted in the country. The Libyan forces were later destroyed by Chad, but their weapons remained with Darfur. As a result, the Janjaweed gang was formed with these new weapons which gave them power and they were soon given instructions and tasks by the government. Then came the Sudan Liberation Movement which caused the Sudanese government which "controls" the Janjaweed to order a counter-insurgency initiative and began what we know as the "genocide in Sudan"


The History of the Janjaweed and problems in Sudan



Jamaica

The History of gangs in Jamaica can be traced back to its first youth sub-culture, the Rude Boy. Once Jamaica got its independence from Britain in the early sixties, the country became extremely overpopulated and many economic and social problems such as healthcare deficiency, unemployment, disease, and government corruption began."The response to these conditions was the start of a creation of a new subculture, unofficially called scufflers. Scuffling was just scrounging to get by, by any means necessary. This often meant involvement in the underground economy. Pimping and prostitution, begging and stealing became the unofficial economic activities in the shanty towns of West Kingston." "These rude boys defined their own personal style. These youths, boys from fourteen to twenty-five years, carried German ratchet knives and handguns. They came from all over West Kingston. With deteriorating living conditions, these rude boys were, above all, angry." One of the things that Jamaican Rude boy did were capture what they felt into music such as reggae or ska.

The life and story of a Rude boy is perfectly captured in Israel Vibrations: Rudeboy shufflin song and music Video (Notice that both singers have canes and crutches because they contracted the polio disease growing up poor in jamaica in the 1960's)

A part of the songs lyrics goes like this:
Inna the ghetto old fence vibrate.
Stiffnecked fools, you deny me.
Promote the worst and slacky-tidey.
Now the youth so viciously. / Got to face your reality.
A this a rudeboy shufflin.
Millions of youth more violently.
So how you think you a go hold back me?

">

Japan
Japan is home to a very large and famous international gang called the Yakuza.
The Yakuza name originates from the worst possible score in a japanese card game. The game, similar to blackjack has a highest possible # of 19. Ya-Ku-Sa is the phonetic sounding of 8-9-3 which is the number 20 or zero points, a bust. This is meant to symbolize the mantra of the Yakuza, no worth to society, the misfits and rebels.

The History and origin of the Yakuza is somewhat debatable:

One version says they are the "descendents of the 17th-century kabuki-mono (crazy ones), outlandish samurai who reveled in outlandish clothing and hair styles, spoke in elaborate slang, and carried unusually long swords in their belts." These men who were once servants of the Shogun became unnecessary once peace came in the tokugawa era so they began to devote their lives to stealing, gambling, and mayhem.

The second version of the Yakuza history is one endorsed by current Yakuza members today. They claim to be "descendents of the machi-yokko (servants of the town) who protected their villages from the wayward hatamoto-yakko. The official yakuza history portrays the group's ancestors as underdog folk heroes who stood up for the poor and the defenseless, just as Robin Hood helped the peasants of medieval England."

traditional yakuza members fell under three general categories: tekiya (street peddlers), bakuto (gamblers), and gurentai (hoodlums). "Traditionally the tekiya, medieval Japan's version of snake-oil salesmen, worked the fairs and markets while the bakuto worked the towns and highways. The gurentai, by contrast, modeled themselves on American gangsters of the Al Capone era, using threats and extortion to achieve their ends. After World War II, in the governmental power void caused by the Occupation, the gurentai prospered, and their ranks swelled. They also brought organized crime in Japan to a new level of violence, replacing the traditional sword with modern firearms, even though guns were now officially outlawed in the country as a result of the surrender." They ultimately survived because of the power and force they used to prosper economically.

This video gives more insight into the interesting culture of the traditional Yakuza practices as well as recent culture. ">

Global-Current Situation

The rest of the world is struggling with gangs, just as much as we are in America. We took an in depth look into three other countries around the world, Japan, Darfur, and Jamaica.

Jamaica-
The current situation of gangs in Jamaica is not too bad as compared to the U.S. The most powerful and deadly gangs in Jamaica now are also moving their operations into the U.S. This could be partly because many Jamaican gangs do not do buisness in Jamaica rather they just manufacture and acquire drugs there then move their lucrative products to the U.S. for sale. In the recent past however the gang problem escalated so high that residents of Kingston were forced to evacuate.
A Boston Globe article estimates that gangs in Central America are responsible for "...shaving regional gross domestic product by some 25 percent, according to the Inter-American Development Bank." Another reason the gang problem was so bad in Jamaica is because in the early 1980's the two major political parties in Jamaica, the Jamaican Labor Party (JLP) and the Peoples National Party (PNP), were using street gangs to influence the elections. The most well known gangs in Jamaica today include, The Shower Posse, Clans Massive, The Black Roses, and The President's Click.

Japan-
The current situation of gangs in much like that of the gang problems in America. A growing number of youth are becoming members of gangs, and the old ways of "traditional" style of gangs is beginning to become outdated. One recent news article tells of the brutal beating of an innocent man by juveniles. Most youth gangsters in Japan are a part of a biker gang, the most popular being, The Dragon.
However, the most well know gang in Japan is the Japanese Mafia, aka the Yakuza. Unlike their younger counterparts in crime, the Yakuza prefer to commit organized crime, not the violent crimes like the biker gangs. "Yakuza frequently engage in a uniquely Japanese form of extortion, known as sōkaiya. In essence, this is a specialized form of protection racket. Instead of harassing small businesses, the yakuza harasses a stockholders' meeting of a larger corporation." "They also engage in simple blackmail, obtaining incriminating or embarrassing information about a company's practices or leaders. Once the yakuza gain a foothold in these companies, they will work for them to protect the company from having such internal scandals exposed to the public. Some companies still include payoffs as part of their annual budget." "Yakuza are heavily involved in sex-related industries, smuggling pornography from Europe and America into Japan. They also control large prostitution rings throughout the country...the yakuza can buy unwanted girls for as little as $5,000 and put them to work in the mizu shōbai, which means 'water trade' and refers to the night entertainment business, in yakuza-controlled bars, nightclubs and restaurants." These quotes show the main buisness operations of the Yakuza today. The police do not take action against the Yakuza because many feel that they are running semi-legitimate organizations.
The Asian gangs like all gangs in the world are expanding operations outside of their home countries. A National Geographic article explains how many Asian gangs are moving into Africa to drive the killing of elephants for their prized ivory tusks, very highly valued items in Asia.

Darfur-
The most current gang problems in Darfur have escalated to what many are calling genocide. The Darfur conflict started between what was a gang called the Janjaweed and other rebel groups such as, the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement. This gang war has escalated into a full blown racial war, with the Janjaweed composed of mainly Arab nomad tribes, and the rival factions being mainly non-Arab tribes. The war between these groups has become so bad that the UN, US, and UK, and many more, have all poured resources into Darfur to try and end the violence. Below are two depictions of the Janjaweed.



The gang problem in all these nations, as well as in the U.S. have taken a major toll in all areas of society, especially the economic situations of these countries. Money is being poured into law enforcement, gang prevention, gang education, and so much more to prevent gang activities. Below is what you can do to help.

Global-What Should Be Done

The picture at right is of a mayor who used an anti Yakuza platform to run but was killed by the Yakuza.



Japanese citizens are getting caught in the crossfire on a regular basis because of the gangs use of firearms. Citizens are getting mistaken for gang members and are being executed. It has happened on multiple occasions to people as old as 66, and people as young as 19.
Obviously the Japanese government needs to find a way to control the arms trade between the Yakuza and gangs outside of Japan, although it presents a very difficult task, it would severely limit a huge intimidation factor posed by gangs. In the United States gangs are beginning to recruit kids as young as nine years old therefore education of the younger public is extremely important. The situation in Japan is considerably more complicated because they are not looking at children for recruits. Japanese gangs also make a lot of money through the businesses they own; pachinko for example is a hugely popular game that is thought to be controlled by the Yakuza. If the Japanese government can cut off all income to gangs, than they would fall apart and the Japanese economy which is already extremely strong might see a slight boost.

Jamaica has been having a lot of trouble with gangs over the last few decades because of its weak government and high rates of corrupt officials both in the government and in the police force. Most major Jamaican gangs have moved their buisnesses to the United States. Although the main parts of their operations are still focused in Jamaica, they are selling their product in the United States. Having found a new market in the United States, Jamaican gangs are getting richer and richer and are being able to buy more and more firearms. Having more power means that people will be recruited easier because they will be enticed by the prospect of making money.
This presents a big problem for both the Jamaican Government and the U.S government. If the Jamaican government can't take back control of it's island than there is the possibility that eventually there will be a coup and the government will be over thrown. This also presents a problem for the United States government because Jamaicans will be exported drugs to the United States. Recently there was an incident that could be an example of what could be in the future for the U.S in which a Jamaican gang "Shower Posse" shot up a Miami night club killing five and injuring eighteen. It presents a problem for Children there as well who may be afraid to attend school because of all the gang shootings that are occurring, that in turn would have a negative affect on the economy.



Sudan has been ravaged for war by years, and there is a huge population of Sudanese refugees around Africa. Living in Egypt I saw them on a daily basis and most of them were young. The problem in Sudan has arisen because there are different factions all about equally powerful vying for power. The innocent are getting caught between the fights and are paying the price. Some estimates are as high as 5,000 to 10,000 deaths per month.
The government has absolutely no control over the gangs who are extremely powerful and have control over a large percentage of the government. The conflict is even spilling over into other countries. At a refugee day in Egypt a number of Sudanese refugees were killed by their own countrymen. It would take an incredible amount of money and time to eliminate the gangs in Sudan.

A Sudanese Refugee after being attacked.



The current Sudanese government has neither the money nor the resources to combat the problem. A foerign aid force such as N.A.T.O is needed to take back control of the government. There are a number of agencies that people can donate to in order to help the cause. At Punahou students and teachers alike can buy the "Save Darfur" shirts whose money is going to help the cause.

Global-What Can Be Done

A report from the Boston Globe describing Gang Violence and abuse in Darfur. These Darfur refugee women are among many who have described how they were attacked and raped in their villages by roving gangs of Sudanese men. (Linda Mason Photo)
The Situation in Darfur and What You can do to Help. (With Gangs)


Join Clubs at Punahou to help with the situation. The Impact club is a way individuals such as yourself, a lowely student at Punahou, can help the situation. They have meetings to find ways they can help the cause. Also, if your not into clubs but your are into having a lot of money to give others, you can visit this site. Savedarfur.org is a great organization that gives individuals a place to donate money! It also has a great program that lets you enter in your zip code, and finds a group near you to help with the situation in Darfur.


The Situation in Japan and What You can do to Help. (With Gangs)

The media outlet known as Japan Today relassed an article in 2007 about 2 shootings by the gangs in Japan. The writer, Richard Kimber is a journalist from the U.K. who can be reached at (Mobile/cell 080 6586 8148 (from UK 0081 80 6586 8148)) says that,

"Police statistics show that in 2006 they received 2,400 calls for help from local administrations who had been threatened or pressured by gangs over policy decisions — an increase of almost a third in the past six years."

Since the gangs in Japan have a public protest, it wont be long untill the people of Japan do their part to slow it down. Programs have not yet poped up throughout Japan, unlike the programs for Darfur, but it may come in time. For an individual to help prevent gang violence and domestic disturbances in Japan, the best thing to do might be to call local police authorities and help them with anything you know about gangs in your area.

The Situation in Jamaica and What You can do to Help. (With Gangs)

Gang violence in Jamaica is particularlry violent, and violence leads to murdering, and murdering leads to tears. The New York Times did a great article on Jamaican gangs in the ninties. This violence has not ceased since then, and the same problems are here today. The news paper describes the violence as being never ending, a real problem that has exists throughout Jamaica.

"'There won't be any peace at all until we get a big machine gun and wipe all of them out over there,' the man, Winston Peters, said in a thick patois as he peered through a bullet-pocked barricade across the patch of turf that separates his area of West Kingston from that of a rival gang."

What can individuals in America Do about this problem? unemployment is a huge problem in Jamaica. Invest your businises in Jamica and use their labor to create wealth and economic gain for their country.

National-History

">


Annual Maximum Number of Gangs, 2002–2005 Number of Gangs
Larger Cities Suburban Counties Smaller Cities Rural Counties


No Data Reported 2.7% 9.6% 9.2% 5.9%
3 or Fewer 13.0 26.0 48.3 56.3
4–6 20.5 19.2 26.7 23.5
7–15 30.8 21.4 12.9 10.9
16–30 15.4 8.9 2.9 3.4
More Than 30 17.6 14.9 0.0 0.0


The Violence Prevention Institute also has staggering facts about gangs:
Gang Statistics

Facts at a Glance:
· 100% of cities with population greater than or equal to 250,000 reported gang activity in 2001
· 85% of cities with population between 100,000 and 229,999 reported gang activity in 2001
· 65% of cities with population between 50,000 and 99,999 reported gang activity in 2001
· 44% of cities with population between 25,000 and 49,999 reported gang activity in 2001
· 20% of cities with population between 2,500 and 24,999 reported gang activity in 2001
59% of all homicides in 2001 in Los Angeles and 53% in Chicago were gang related, there was a total of 698 gang related homicides in there two cities combined where as 130 other cities with population of at least 100,000 with gang problems reported having a total of 637 homicides between them.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, National Youth Gang Survey Trends from 1996 to 2000, by Arlen Egley, Jr. and Aline K. Major.

The History Channel also runs a series about gangs, to view a few clips from different episodes click here.

The gang problem is growing at an almost uncontrollable rate, read on to see what can be done by the government, and what you can do to help.

National-What Should Be Done

Gangs and gang violence in the United States has increased drastically in the past decades, especially in the late 1980's and the early 1990's and even into the new millennium. The substantial increase in both these categories can be attributed to the influx of immigrants during this time. Not only is the increase in immigration leading to the increase, but more importantly illegal immigration is leading to more gang violence. Between 1999 and 2002 gang violence had risen 50%. So, what should the government do to turn this trend around? The government needs to continue its commitment to after-school programs around the country so that it keeps kids off the streets. Kids often join gangs because they come from broken homes and don't have a sense of family or belonging. They do not have any connection to school, and so they join gangs so that they can feel like a part of something.


Gangs realize that children need a sense of belonging so they target them specifically as young as nine years old.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKaPTns5dqE


The extent of this problem can be seen in the fact that in just Los Angeles it is estimated that there are between 800 and 1000 gangs with between 120,000 and 220,000 members. About 20% of gangs are dedicated solely to the sale of drugs, thus the government needs to step up the fight against drugs. The few resources dedicated to the DEA are not enough to eradicate the drug problem. Additionally, only 20%-30% of money dedicated to the war on drugs goes into the education, treatment, and prevention of drug use.Although the general public is largely unaware, Gangs are having a huge affect on our economy right now, and have been for over a century most notably during prohibition when Al Capone and other gangsters took control of the alcohol trade and made millions. Gangs may not have a direct effect on our economy but the amount of money that goes into cleaning up after them is extremely high; Gangs participate in robbery, importation of drugs, murder and many other activities that are detrimental to our economy. It is estimated that Americans spend about $655 billion annually on fighting crime alone in the United States. That number does not include the cost of treating people affected by gang violence or by the drugs dealt by gangs. A large percentage of a gangs income comes from theft specifically automobile theft; El Salvador, a country with a huge gang culture imports up to 80% of its cars from the United States illegally via gang trafficking.
The government has taken a number of steps to stop both the influence and the spread of gangs; The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. It is essentially a law making certain crimes that pertain to gangs more serious, thus gang members can be kept off the street for a longer period of time. unfortunately gangs exist in prison as well though.

Even communities can help stop the growth of Gangs simply by being vigilant. Instead of being intimidated by gangs, people need to make an effort to stand up to them. If gang activity is occurring in a neighborhood, than the residents have an obligation to call the police. Even within the home parents can take action by monitoring what their kids are doing and who they are doing it with. Getting kids involved in sports or hobbies can be a huge deterrent from getting involved in gangs.
If neither the government nor large cooperation’s take action the problem will only get worse. Gangs will control more and more “territory” and have a much larger impact on the way we live life and the way our kids and grandkids will live their lives. Kids will become even more afraid to go to school and our economy will spiral downward, while gangs continue to make increasingly large sums of money at our expense. Gangs will grow so large and powerful that we could end up seeing another civil war one day.

National-What Can Be Done

These pictures are of an arrest made by the National Gang Task Force. The National Gang Task Force thrives off of individuals who help fighting gangs by reporting gang-like activity to the Tast Force.

At the national level there are many ways to help your community and nation in making a difference in the fight against gangs. The MS-13 has grabbed national attention in many areas and in many different cases. The FBI has a site that compels individuals to help them fight the MS-13.Encouraging people to become educated about gangs, this relatively new task force dedicated to fighting the MS-13.
"In December 2004, we launched a multi-agency MS-13 National Gang Task Force—the first of its kind—focused specifically on dismantling MS-13 by increasing and speeding the flow of information and intelligence, coordinating investigations, and helping local and state law enforcement more easily identify the gang in their areas."
The National Gang Task Force asks individuals to contact them to inform them about any gang "hang-outs" or any other information about the MS-13. To help people get educated about gangs, The National Gang Task Force has a 74 page PDF file that helps individuals work with their community to stop the MS-13.
Also, there are many small organizations which make a difference in gang fighting that can prevent violence in our youth. MAWG is small growing organization that parents can join to help on a national level. G.R.E.A.T. is similar to DARE, but it is focused on fighting gangs. It encourages groups like MAWG to get involved with incentives of up to 150,000 dollars to make a difference. These organizations are just a few ways that you can help on a national level.

Local-History

Hawaii has had a long history of gang activity caused by the diverse cultures that sometimes clash in the islands. Some gangs in Hawaii are branches of larger mainland or national gangs, others are unique to certain islands or areas.
List of some of the known gangs and affiliates in Hawaii:

-MS-13
-Vietnamese black crew
-Mexican surenos
-Honolulu CIRCO boys gang
-Sons of Samoa
-Bloods (loyal to certain areas ie. "kalihi bloods")
-Crips (loyal to certain areas)
-Hawaiian Mafia
-Filipino's

A majority of these gangs are located in areas such as Kalihi, Palolo and Waipahu, where heavy populations of filipino, samoan, and hawaiian cultures are found. 40% of filipino youth are suspected of gang membership, While 22% of samoan youth and 12.5% of hawaiian youth are suspected of gang membership. Studies have shown that these figures are direct results of economic struggles of these cultures. Samoans for example, constitute only 1.8% of the juvenile population of Hawaii, yet are responsible for nearly a quarter of gang related activity.
Experts say: Samoans in Hawaii experience extreme poverty that puts severe pressure on the communal values in traditional Samoan culture. In addition to the stresses of poverty, immigration to a country that places little value on sharing and care for the whole community and a great premium on individualism, consumerism, and competition produces a landscape that is difficult for Samoan youth to negotiate.

Back in the 1960's-1970's gangs of Hawaiians and other locals formed to regulate the disrespectful "Haole's" or other tourists who overstepped what they felt were boundaries. Many locals on the north shore of Oahu regulated the surf spots to make sure that the Haole surfers who didn't earn their respect were not allowed to surf. This group of men called themselves: Hui o He'e Nalu aka Da Hui. It is arguable whether Da Hui was a typical gang or merely a group devoted to protection of local rights, but there was violence and threatening involved.

Some other causes for Local youth to join gangs:
● Impulsiveness
● Low school achievement/alienation from school
● Poor parental supervision
● Child physical abuse
● Punitive or erratic parental discipline
● Parental conflict and disrupted families
● Substance abuse by a parent
● Poverty
● Susceptibility to peer pressure
● Substance use
● High-delinquency-rate schools
● High crime neighborhoods


Despite a definite gang population, Hawaii as a whole has seen juvenile arrest trends decline since 1992. The number of arrest trends has declined 36.3%, due to a huge decline(50.6%) in arrests of youth for property crimes in recent years. Youth arrests for violent crimes has decreased 5.5% from the last decade, and arrests for curfew and runaway have decreased 19.2 %

Local-Current Situation

In recent history, gangs in Hawaii have been fading. There are a few factors that have contributed to this decrease. One of these factors is a law passed by the Hawaii Legislature in 1991. The act freed up $3.2 million to coordinate the battle against gangs, law enforcement, public awareness, and school based intervention are all categories which have received some of the funding. However, gangs are making a resurgence in Hawaii, and in no small fashion. A recent article in the Hawaii Star Bulletin illustrates just how bad it is getting. The graphs below also show how it is not just the number of gang related incidents that is growing, but also the number of people involved in the altercations. Gangs are also returning to Hawaii schools. Below is a chart of recent gang related activities in schools.

BY THE NUMBERS
2.7% Percentage of students who have carried a handgun
4.75% Percentage of students who have been arrested
5.68% Percentage of students who have sold illegal drugs
11.3% Percentage of students involved in gangs
47% Percentage of students with family conflict
Source: 2002 Hawaii Student Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use Survey
Hawaii DOH website: http://www.hawaii.gov/health/substance-abuse/prevention-treatment/survey/report2002/index.html

Another factor which is leading to more gang activity is the fact that fewer and fewer kids are even enrolling in school. in the 1995-'96 school year there were 186,805 students enrolled, in the 2005-'06 school year total enrollment was 181,406. That is a decrease of 5,399 in a 10 year period. Almost ten years ago, when enrollment was nearing 189,000 students, there were 3,086 reported incidents of violence involving 1,720 students. In the 2005-06 year, despite a drop of nearly 8,000 schoolchildren, violence rose to 3,350 cases in which 2,762 students took part, according to the state Department of Education. That is nearly a 9 percent increase in violent incidents. The rise in gang activity isn't isolated to just a few neighborhoods, recent surveys show that more and more neighborhoods have gangs, or are beginning to see them arrive from other parts of the island. The chart below from an article in the Honolulu Star Bulletin shows this spread.



Something must be done to end this trend of growing violence and gang related activity in Hawaii, especially in Hawaii's schools.

Local-What Should Be Done

Across the nation the government has been cutting down on after school programs, which are a big deterrent to kids who often come from broken homes or whose parents work late. What the government needs to do though is re-invest in after school programs as well as in school programs such as D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). Although public school do have a D.A.R.E officer that comes in once during a child's education (usually in the fifth grade) consistent prevention and awareness needs to occur as drugs are often the gateway to gangs. The decline in gangs that this would lead to would also produce greater productivity in the classroom; in a recent survey 20% of Hawaii middle school students said that gangs at school frighten them. which also means that many of those kid would be afraid to come to school. That is why gang deterrents from an early age are so important, especially in Hawaii where communities are very closely knit and everyone has such a big influence on everyone else; if the government can eliminate gangs than children's success rates would go up substantially. And although the Hawaii Police Department has made it increasingly hard to acquire weapons including handguns, they are still relatively easy to come by on the black market. If guns can be taken out of the picture than a huge intimidating device for gangs would be lost.
Gangs are becoming more and more prevalent in Hawaii because of its location. Located between Asia and the United States Hawaii is an ideal location for drug trafficking because it is about halfway in between the two continents. Recently gang members have even been emigrating from the mainland (particularly the west coast) because of the lucrative drug trade in Hawaii. Drugs such as I.C.E and coke are easy to get hold of as is marijuana. So much so that in a survey of drug use taken in Hawaii in 1999 6.7% of those surveyed admitted to having used drugs in the last month. Additionally, the number of people being admitted to the drug rehabilitation centers in Hawaii had risen 50% between 1994 and 1999. Gangs are having a huge affect on the population of Hawaii through their drug trafficking.
The Hawaii government has taken a number of steps to minimize the affect of gangs. Arrest for the commission of substantive criminal offenses, defined by Federal or State statute, is the main mechanism used by law enforcement to prosecute youth and adult gangs. Hawaii has also made it illegal to carry concealed fire arms.
People may claim that gangs don’t affect their lives too much in Hawaii because they live in parts of the island where they claim there “are no gangs”. But, gangs have infiltrated all parts of our small island; of the approximately 1.2 million people living in Hawaii, 1,500 of them are gang members belonging to some 140 gangs. Still not convinced that gangs have affected all the people living in Hawaii? Than consider that gangs have indirectly affected every tax paying person living in Hawaii. The state government spends about $400 million dollars (of tax payer’s money) each year on drug related problems. That $400 million is only on drug related problems induced by gangs, and does not include money spent on police units dedicated to gangs, or medical costs because of gang violence. Half of all arrests made last year were due to drugs that gangs have smuggled into Hawaii. That money could be spent on infrastructure (filling in the billions of potholes on Oahu) or a number of other problems plaguing Hawaii.
Should the local and National show little interest in the gang activities in Hawaii than the problem will continue to grow and will affect the mainland more and more over time. Thankfully though, juvenile crimes have been going down steadily in Hawaii over the past five years, which could be an indication that gangs are having less of an influence of kids in Hawaii today than they were in previous decades. Should this trend continue than it is likely that the number of gangs will decrease. Unfortunately, overall crime has risen in the past three years. Having such a small community gangs and drugs can tear us apart and have a huge impact on how we live, thus the government needs to step up its enforcement of ports and immigration. People can have an affect on gangs too, simply by emailing the state government and letting them know that gangs are a serious problem and need taking care of. People can also help out individuals who have drug problems by contacting drug agencies that specialize in rehabilitation.
People can also contact the Governor by emailing her questions or concerns.

Local-What Can individuals Do About Gangs?

Individuals in society are a huge factor in preventing gangs. The family can do an assortment of things to help prevent a child to turning to gangs. After school programs are a great way to prevent such matters, but that might not be the only thing that can be done. The Juvenile Justice Bulletin (http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/182210.pdf) stated that "Clearly, there is no one “magic bullet” program or “best practice” for preventing gang affiliation and gang-associated violence." This doesnt mean that we should slow down our efforts in creating after school programs for children. These impresionable years are when parents have a large influence on their children and can keep them in after school activities. After school activities also prevent drug use and gang related violence. Programs like The institute of Self Esteem and Evaluation is a program that parents can get involved with to help prevent Gang violence. Some commmuntitys get involved with parents by creating material for parents to help recognize when their children may be turning to gangs. (http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/POLICE/gangfaqs.html)
WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR CHILD IS INVOLVED IN A GANG?

1. Don't ignore your suspicions, talk to your child.

2. Watch for some of the signs mentioned previously.

3. Listen to conversations your child has with friends or new acquaintances.

4. Check your child's room periodically for signs and symbols.

5. Talk to your child's teachers about your suspicions.

6. Divert your child's attention away from friends unknown to you and into other activities.

7. Ask for help from the many community agencies.

8. Call the police. We will respond to your questions and if desired talk with you and child about gangs.