Gang Violence vs. The Community

What are the effects of gang violence and the communities in which these gangs live? Numerous times, adults and children alike live in communities where just going outside could cost them their lives. In times where children should be outside at the park playing, they must be inside their homes for fear of accidental death by cross fire gang activity. For example, a three year old girl was shot and killed by a gang member because the gang member assumed the girl’s father was a member of an opposing gang. What the shooter did not know was that the girl’s father was not involved in a gang at all. Why should children have to live in fear that they will be mistaken for a rival gangs child, or even part of a gang they know nothing about? Communities have to continuously be on the lookout for cross fire gang activity every time they think about leaving their homes.
The community suffers greatly when gangs enter their towns. Not only do they have to fear for their lives, but there are increased problems in other areas as well. For example, every town experiences their fair share of graffiti and vandalism. However, in a community where gangs are prevalent, the vandalism is increased with territorial graffiti. The graffiti becomes etched all over the town and ruins the town’s appearance.