Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic shared by large cities experiencing serious gang violence?

Accepted Answer

Large resources for indigent defense are not typically a characteristic shared by large cities experiencing serious gang violence. Instead, these cities often face challenges such as socioeconomic disadvantage, racial/ethnic heterogeneity, and large immigrant populations, which can contribute to the conditions that foster gang activity. Adequate resources for indigent defense would likely help address some of the legal and social issues in these areas, rather than being a contributing factor to gang violence.

Question 2

According to Howell, Egley, and colleagues, which of the following is a primary indicator of serious gang violence?

Accepted Answer

Homicide is considered a primary indicator of serious gang violence according to Howell, Egley, and colleagues, as it represents the most severe form of violence and has significant implications for both the community and law enforcement.

Question 3

From 1996 to 2009, cities in which state evidenced the greatest proportion of gang-related homicides?

Accepted Answer

California has historically had a significant issue with gang violence, particularly in cities like Los Angeles. During the period from 1996 to 2009, California was known for having a high proportion of homicides that were gang-related, more so than the other states listed.

Question 4

Which region of the country experiences generally low and relatively stable trends in gang violence?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which region of the country experiences generally...

Question 5

Which of the following motives for gang homicides refers to a feud between the victim and the offender(s)?

Accepted Answer

Personal vendettas refer to a feud between the victim and the offender(s), indicating a personal motive behind the homicide rather than a dispute related to drugs, a process of leaving the gang, or inter-gang conflicts.

Question 6

Which of the following is true of all the cities profiled in the case studies on gang problems in cities?

Accepted Answer

Cities profiled in case studies on gang problems are typically considered larger cities, as gang activity is often more prevalent and visible in urban areas with larger populations, where there are more opportunities for gang formation and criminal activities.

Question 7

The case study of Abilene, TX, reveals it is a ______ city with a ______ gang problem.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The case study of Abilene, TX, reveals...

Question 8

All of the following are examples of conditions associated with the formation of violent gangs across the country, EXCEPT ______.

Accepted Answer

Violent gangs often form under conditions of social unrest, shared socioeconomic disadvantages, and blocked access to well-paying jobs, as these factors can lead to feelings of marginalization and a lack of legitimate opportunities. Decreased levels of immigration is not typically associated with the formation of violent gangs; in fact, increased immigration can sometimes be cited in discussions about gang formation due to the challenges immigrants may face in integrating into new societies, though this is a complex and multifaceted issue.

Question 9

When are law enforcement agents most likely to deny a gang problem?

Accepted Answer

During the initial stages of gang activity, law enforcement agents might deny a gang problem due to lack of evidence, underestimation of the issue, or reluctance to cause public alarm.

Question 10

All of the following are components of common law enforcement reactions to gang presence in communities EXCEPT ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of All of the following are components of...

Question 11

Springfield's "C3" approach for combating gang activity implies all of the following EXCEPT ______.

Accepted Answer

Springfield's "C3" approach, modeled after military counterinsurgency tactics and community policing, emphasizes collaboration with the community and intelligence gathering to combat gang activity. It does not specifically advocate for removing youth from their communities as a method of intervention.

Question 12

The vast majority of gang members in Boise are ______.

Accepted Answer

The vast majority of gang members in Boise are White, reflecting the demographic composition of the city and the surrounding area.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT an example of a strategy employed by Inglewood's police in response to the city's gang problems?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is NOT an...

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT an example of a contextual factor that is believed to be associated with greater gang activity in larger cities?

Accepted Answer

A large budget for prosecutors is not directly associated with greater gang activity; it may actually help in reducing crime by enabling more effective prosecution.

Question 15

Findings in Pittsburgh, PA, that non-gang-related drug trafficking coexists with gang involvement in the drug trade are similar to what phenomenon described by Ousey and Lee (2004)?

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is A because preexisting social conditions can contribute to both non-gang-related drug trafficking and gang involvement in the drug trade.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of how social networks can aid understanding to the observed uneven risk of homicide in high-risk communities?

Accepted Answer

Network analyses can uncover relationships and roles within communities, such as identifying a homicide victim's significant position (e.g., a gang leader), which can help explain patterns or concentrations of violence within specific areas.

Question 17

In a given large city, which of the following is NOT a contextual influence on serious street gang violence?

Accepted Answer

The number of police officers is not directly a contextual influence on serious street gang violence. While policing strategies and the presence of law enforcement can impact crime rates, the direct contextual influences on gang violence typically include factors like access to firearms, levels of drug activity, and socioeconomic conditions such as poverty. These directly affect the environment in which gangs operate and can either exacerbate or mitigate violence.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a finding from research in Boston and Chicago regarding the correlates of gang-related homicide?

Accepted Answer

Research on gang-related homicides in cities like Boston and Chicago has highlighted factors such as seeking payback, pursuing improved social status, and social group processes as correlates. Skipping school, however, is not specifically identified as a correlate of gang-related homicide in these studies.

Question 19

Out of all homicides, the proportion associated with gangs has been relatively stable over the past 20 years despite which co-occurring phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

The proportion of homicides associated with gangs has remained relatively stable over the past 20 years, even as the national crime rate has experienced a sharp decline. This indicates that while overall crime rates have fallen, gang-related homicides have not decreased at the same pace, highlighting the persistent challenge of gang violence.

Question 20

Which of the following is measured using the National Youth Gang Survey (NYGS)?

Accepted Answer

The National Youth Gang Survey (NYGS) is designed to collect data on the number of active gangs, the number of gang members, and the number of gang-related homicides in a given jurisdiction. It does not measure the level of immigration.

Quiz 8: Urban Gangs and Violence