Responding to Gang, Crew and Youth Violence in the District of Columbia

environments that putthem at higher risk thanthere counterparts insuburban neighborhoods.Risks relatingto exposure to violence,low performingschools and a weakmental health systemwere addressed inChapter 1.Voices from the DistrictThe level of disconnection,“level of trust and confidence inthe future, lack of affordablehousing, growing numbersof kids becoming disconnectedfrom their families andschools and well-paying jobs –it’s all fuel for what we’re seeingon the streets .”A BLUEPRINT FOR ACTIONWarning Signs of Youth ViolenceMany children and youth who behave violently have along history of emotional and behavior problems. Symptomsoften exist for years, and are not isolated behaviorsor single emotional outbursts. In an effort to assist parents,educators and service providers identify children andyouth who are exhibiting behaviors that may lead to violence,researchers suggest the following signs. It is especiallyimportant to consult with a mental healthprofessional when a child exhibits multiple signs simultaneously:Following are some of the most significant additional factorsthat impact the likelihood District youth will be involvedwith violence:• Over 108,000 District residents live in poverty;• 32% of all children live in poverty;• 54 % of children live in single parent and father-absenthouseholds;• 36% of District residents are functionally illiterate;• One in ten children is born to a teenage mother; 50According to the Substance Abuse and Mental HealthServices Administration, “An accumulation of risk factorsis more important in predicting violent behaviorsthan is the presence of any single factor. The more riskfactors a child or young person is exposed to, the greaterthe likelihood that he or she will become violent.” 51Therefore, it is even more troubling that the highest ratesof poverty, single parent headed households, child abuseand neglect, teen pregnancy, unemployment and illiteracyare concentrated in certain neighborhoods in the District,especially those in Wards 7 and 8. It is no surprisethen that these neighborhoods also experience the highestcrime.In summary, as stated in Youth Violence: Report to theSurgeon General:“Violence prevention and intervention efforts hinge onidentifying risk and protective factors and determiningwhen they emerge. To be effective, such efforts must beappropriate to a youth’s stage of development. Moreover,the factors targeted by violence prevention programs maybe different from those targeted by intervention programs…”Patterns of Adolescent Violence 52Researchers have delineatedfour distincttypes of adolescent violence.Voices from the DistrictOften, young people are not“fully conscious of theirbehavior – it’s called ‘poorimpulse control’ in the jargon –they become instinctual ratherthan intellectual.”SituationalThis pattern is responsiveto catalysts, suchas street tension, frustrations,events, poverty and oppression, as well as availabilityof weapons, alcohol or drugs. It accounts for about25 percent of adolescent violence.RelationalViolence can arise from interpersonal disputes, generallybetween family members or friends. It includes dating violence,and often is the result of differing interpretations ofactions and meaning such as experiences of being “disrespected.”About 25 percent of adolescent violence fallsinto this category.PredatoryThis is the violence of crews and gangs, typically includingmuggings, robbery and even random shootings. Researchershave found it is often a pattern of serious chronicantisocial behavior. While generally 5 to 8 percent of violence,it is estimated that as many as 20 percent of teensare involved in some incidents of this type.PathologicalGenerally a byproduct of serious mental illness, it is rare,causing about 1 percent of violence. But because it maybe caused by psychopathological behaviors, it can be particularlyviolent.50 Every KID COUNTS in the District of Columbia: 15th Annual Fact Book 2008 Survey; DC Children’s Trust Fund.51 (http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SVP-0054/pathways.asp#five)52 United States, Department of Health and Human Services, Understanding Youth Violence: The CMHS Approach to Enhancing Youth Resilience and PreventionYouth Violence in Schools and Communities (Washington: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2001).29