¶ … gang violence in Canada
Though gang violence is not a new phenomena in Canada, the number of gangs and the dynamics within these gangs has changed. It has been reported that the four most common types of gangs found within the Canadian provinces are street gangs, outlaw motorcycle gangs, mafias and organized crime organizations, and hate gangs. Increasing gang membership -- and the rising number of girls joining gangs, gun violence, and aboriginal gangs have contributed to the rise of gang activity and violence in Canada.
It has been reported that most gang related crimes are based on creating an atmosphere of fear within the community. The most prevalent gang related crimes in communities include extortion, intimidation, and assault ("Victims of Violence"). Other destructive gang activity also includes the "defacement of property, impediments to the population, intimidation of local business, presence of community fear and anxiety, and the general destruction of community life" ("Victims of Violence"). Youth-based gangs commit...
Of the most violent crimes committed by these street gangs are "swarmings" where a group attacks an individual, and steals an item as simple as a jacket or shoes ("Victims of Violence"). The inclusion of girls in gangs has led to an increase in gang-related violence in the community. An increasing number of police and school officials have reported that "female-perpetrated" crime and violence has risen in schools, often with girls targeting other girls ("Victims of Violence").
An increase in gang violence has been aided by the increasing availability of weapons within the community. It has been reported that most guns used in gang related criminal activity are handguns, the majority of which have been smuggled in from the U.S. And guns that have been "diverted from legal owners through illegal sales or thefts" ("Gangs and Guns"). Most of the firearms that were used to commit a crime were not…
