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Evolving Patterns of Aggression: Investigating the Structure of Gang Violence during the Era of Civil Gang Injunctions

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  • Gisela Bichler

    (Criminal Justice Department, California State University San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA)

  • Alexis Norris

    (Criminal Justice Department, California State University San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA)

  • Citlalik Ibarra

    (Center for Criminal Justice Research, California State University San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA)

Abstract

Mapping the structural characteristics of attack behavior, this study explores how violent conflict evolved with the implementation of civil gang injunctions (CGIs). Networks were generated by linking defendants and victims named in 963 prosecutions involving street gangs active in the City of Los Angeles (1998–2013). Aggregating directed ties to 318 groups associated with the combatants, we compare four observations that correspond with distinct phases of CGI implementation—development (1998–2001), assent (2002–2005), maturity (2006–2009), and saturation (2010–2013). Using a triad census to calculate a ratio of simple patterns (retaliation, directed lines, and out-stars) to complex three-way interactions, we observed that CGIs were associated with a substantive thickening of conflict—greater complexity was found in conflict relations over time. Dissecting the nature of change, stochastic actor-oriented models (SAOMs) show that enjoined gangs are more likely to initiate transitive closure. The findings suggest that crime control efforts must make regular adjustments in response to the evolving structure of gang interactions.

Suggested Citation

  • Gisela Bichler & Alexis Norris & Citlalik Ibarra, 2020. "Evolving Patterns of Aggression: Investigating the Structure of Gang Violence during the Era of Civil Gang Injunctions," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-19, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:9:y:2020:i:11:p:203-:d:443032
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Grogger, Jeffrey, 2002. "The Effects of Civil Gang Injunctions on Reported Violent Crime: Evidence from Los Angeles County," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 45(1), pages 69-90, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Matthew Valasik & Shannon E. Reid, 2021. "“The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same”: Research on Gang-Related Violence in the 21st Century—Introduction to Special Issue," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-5, June.

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