Third-Generation Gangs as Criminal Gangs

Third-Generation Gangs

As criminal gangs transverse through the three generations, their progress can be charted by the interaction of what three factors?

Politicization, Internationalization, and Sophistication.

Define a 1st Generation Gang.

First-generation gangs are the traditional so-called criminal "street gangs." They operate locally and focus on maintaining control of their home neighborhood or gang "turf." To the extent they engage in criminal activity, it is mainly opportunistic and disorganized and highly limited in scope and sophistication.

Define a 2nd Generation Gang.

Second generation gangs are more sophisticated than first generation gangs and generally operate organized criminal enterprises. They typically do use violence but more in connection with protecting their organized criminal enterprises than to maintain control over gang turf. They often feature centralized leadership and seek to exert influence over a much larger area than the regions of primary interest to first generation gangs. Second generation gangs may sometimes aspire to achieve specific political goals and typically fill power vacuums within "failed neighborhoods" as well as within "failed states" when the circumstances and opportunities arise in that regard.

4. Define a 3rd Generation Gang.

Third generation gangs are characterized by specific political agendas and the intention and capacity to acquire significant financial resources and power, including political power and influence. They conduct multi-jurisdictional operations and seek to engage in mercenary activities across a broad geographical area in which they also actively recruit potential gang members. They may also actively seek to infiltrate legitimate elements of society including law enforcement agencies. The largest and most sophisticated third generation gangs make the transition to internationalized activities, operations, and control of local areas.

5. Sullivan identifies five security threats associated with transnational maras.

List all five.

1. Straining government resources; 2. Challenging state legitimacy; 3. Acting as surrogate governments; 4. Dominating black market business; and 5. Infiltrating public sector and private sector organizations.

6. For each of the five above, explain how they constitute a security threat.

1. Straining government resources -- Transnational maras are typically capable of perpetrating so much crime that they can overwhelm the law enforcement authorities and legal system and terrorize the community.

2. Challenging state legitimacy -- Transnational maras are a significant threat to the authority of legitimate governments. This is especially true in areas where the legitimate authorities are weak or plagued by corruption. It can result in the decreased ability of the government to maintain necessary functions, services, and goods to the public.

3. Acting as surrogate governments -- Transnational maras can completely supplant the legitimate authorities in some regions. In those situations, they establish their own local rules and extort taxes and protection money from the local population.

4. Dominating black market business -- Transnational maras can take over the economic sector by establishing their own businesses, in which case they compete unfairly with legitimate businesses by intimidating them and because they do not have to pay taxes or comply with any of the other restrictions and legal requirements that legitimate businesses must respect.

5. Infiltrating public sector and private sector organizations -- Transnational maras can infiltrate private sector and public sector organizations and even local law enforcement authorities. Once established, they can use their positions and influence to establish political power and achieve even broader goals in addition to expanding substantially throughout larger and larger regions.

7. How do 3rd Generation Gangs differ from the more traditional 2nd Generation Gangs in terms of their relationship with the state government and with regard to lawless zones?