Results show that gang formation and gang joining are associated with individuals’ search for identity and status. The research adopts a mixed-method approach comprising in-depth interviews with experts, and content analysis, social network analysis, and regression analysis of data extracted from five judicial/police files issued between 2005-2016.
As part of the assessment, the present study examines: 1) the processes associated with Latin gang formation outside their context of origin, 2) gang organizational features and activities, and 3) gang members’ involvement in co-offending crimes. With a focus on Milan, Italy, the proposed research aims to investigate the characteristics of transnational Latin American gangs in terms of gang formation, gang organization and activity, and gang criminal behavior. In parts of Southern Europe, reports about crime and violence linked to Latin American gangs have increased over the past decade, yet few studies have assessed Latin gangs’ criminal behavior in new contexts. In particular,Decker and Pyrooz (2015, 302) have pointed out the four major dimensions differentiating street gangs from other criminal groups: goals organizational structure levels of cooperation, leadership and structure and turf/territory. 2019)-comparing gangs with other criminal and terrorist groups(Decker and Pyrooz 2015 Smith, Rush, and Burton 2013). This enquiry is in line with recent criminological debate on gang organization and offending characteristics, through which scholars have investigated whether some gangs have evolved in or resemble forms of organized crime(Decker, Bynum, and Weisel 1998 Decker and Curry 2002 Decker and Pyrooz 2014 Densley 2014 Franco 20 Kelly and Caputo 2005 Ward 2013 Weisel 2002 Whittaker et al. The final aim of this study, after having assessed gang activity, organization, and involvement in criminal behavior, is to compare organized Latin groups with organized crime (OC) to reveal whether there are differences and similarities with forms of organized criminal groups (OCGs).
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