Youth Gangs In Southern New Mexico: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

The 1980's experienced a resurgence of gang activity and gang research in the United States. Some of this gang activity was drug related (especially the sale of drugs as an organized criminal enterprise). Much of the recent law enforcement attention and research has focused on Southern California. However, the whole U.S.-Mexico border has been a fertile area for gang activity for decades. In fact, some Southwestern Hispanic gangs now have third-generation members. This article examines gang activity in Las Cruces, New Mexico, a community of 62,000 located approximately 45 miles from El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Extensive interviews were conducted in three high schools with twenty-two students identified by school officials as being "gang affiliated". This article will discuss their standing in school, home situation, and many of the factors motivating their gang involvement.

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