Gangs

Getting a firm grip on gangs and gang violence in the Greater Edmonton Area and Canada is challenging. Information about gangs and youth involvement in gangs is limited and fragmented. Definitions of youth gangs, youth activity in gangs, methods of recruitment and degree of organization of youth gangs vary from gang to gang, from city to city and from region to region. This variety is further complicated by a lack of research and investigation of youth gangs in Canada. We are just beginning to scratch the surface of the problem. The information presented on this page reflects our best efforts to understand the root causes, and the dynamics and conditions surrounding youth gangs. As we continue our work and as we learn more about the types of youth gangs and how and why youth become involved in criminal gangs, we will expand our collective knowledge about this issue. With this knowledge will come an increased capacity as a community to effectively address this issue.

What is the gang problem that CSGV is trying to address?

The CSGV initiative is most concerned about the involvement of young people who come together to engage in profit-driven criminal activity and organized violence which for the most part is directed against other gangs. Young people drawn into gangs suffer the loss of the social, emotional and physical support of families, friends, school and community. More frightening is the fact that they most often replace those losses with addictions to drugs and/or alcohol, prostitution, prison sentences and oft times, premature, violent death. In the wake of such destruction, families are left to mourn, communities grieve the loss potentially contributing citizens, and society as a whole loses its icons of hope for tomorrow.

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Case Scenarios Situations of Risk