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Chicago Gangs and History

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Chicago Gangs and History
Chicago Gangs, Then and Now with Solutions
Nick Crot
Marist High School

Abstract
This paper deals with gang violence in the city of Chicago since the beginning of time. It takes a deep look into the history of Chicago gangs and how they interact today. Also the past problems the City of Chicago made when dealing with gangs and the problems that gangs today have and how Chicago has the worst gang problem in the country. Also how gangs have turned themselves into big, and lucrative enterprises most known for money. Also stated are possible solutions to stop or reduce violence of the gangs that all start off with teaching the young kids about gangs and gang prevention.

Chicago Gangs, Then and Now with Solutions
Jimi Hendrix once said “Every city in the world always has a gang, a street gang, or the so- called outcasts.” Every city deals with gangs but some cities are worse off than others. Chicago is infamous for gang violence and problems dealing with gangs. For some getting to school in the Chicago land area can even be a matter of life and death because of the gangs and their violent ways (Belluck, 2000). Throughout history gang violence infested the city of Chicago, and it continues to create problems today; hopefully solutions planned by the city can stop the violence.
Race shaped Chicago gang history. “African Americans were crowded into to the south side ‘Black Belt’” (A brief outline of Chicago’s gang history, para 2). As the First World War ended, blacks came back to Chicago and fights broke out to find jobs. The Democratic Party led by Mayor Richard J. Daley decided to keep segregating the city (Brief outline). The blacks were separated by an expressway and an 18 story housing project. Separating races caused violence to sky rocket. The segregated areas proved more nationalistic for their area and defended it to the core. Gang leaders were constantly thrown into jail so they had to find ways to keep a lucrative business. The Chicago Police


References: Belluck, P. (2000, August 31). Chicago makes another effort to disrupt gangs. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.ic.galegroup.com Decker, S. & Gemert, F. & Pytooz, D. (2009). Gangs, migration, and crime: The changing landscape in Europe and the USA. Migration & Integration. Retrieved from http://www.springerlink.com. Johnson, D. (2000, February 22). Chicago council tries anew with anti-gang ordinance. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.ic.galegroup.com Main, F. (2006, June 20). Chicago gangs migrate to the ‘burbs, branch out to new crimes. Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved from http://www.policeone.com Tarm, M. (2010, September 21). Chicago gangs to top cop: you’re not playing fair. The Journal Gazette. Retrieved from http://www.journalgazetter.net Thomas, P. & Bass, S. (2009, October 8). Gangs turn Chicago streets into battlefield. Lured by money, power and drugs, gang members are part of a full-fledged criminal enterprise. Retrieved from http://www. abcnews.go.com A brief outline of Chicago’s gang history. Retrieved from http://www.uic.edu
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