Facilitating Between Gang Members and Police

Abstract

Confrontations between youths and the police are increasingly frequent in the United States as police lead the effort to reduce youth gangs, crime, and violence. As a result, police-youth relations are characterized by hostility, mistrust, misunderstandings and stereotypes. This article outlines a tenstage dialogue process to improve relations between police and gang-related youths in a suburb near Washington, D.C. In addition to describing techniques used in this case, the authors offer advice on how such efforts could be improved.I ncreased youth violence and gang involvement has led to numerous prevention and intervention efforts in cities and towns throughout the United States. Since police officers are often charged with cracking down on youth offenders and gangs, relations between many police officers and youths are characterized by mutual hostility, mistrust, misunderstandings and stereotypes. The increasing instances and escalating severity of gang violence and juvenile crime in the Washington, D.C., area, along with the resulting conflicts between police and gangs, had devastating side effects in both urban and suburban communities in the region. One such effect was the general public's increased fear and suspicion of both youths and police.