One of the most prized possessions of a gang is their “turf”. Turf is the area, the territory, the land that gangs use to operate their drug business. The more land, one gang controls, the more they profit and consume more money. Gangs control an area economically to support their gang by buying more weapons and paying individuals to commit illegal crimes. For example, if an owner of a liquor store were to be located in the territory of a gang, the owner can pay the gang to keep the liquor store safe from other gang members or thieves. Also, inside these territories, gangs can traffic drugs. So by controlling a larger area, a specific gang can generate more income by selling to a larger group of drug users.
As gangs expand their turf this usually ignites turf wars. Turf wars are between two or more gangs, fighting over to take full control over a specific area. Gangs use violence and kill as many rival gang members as they could to gain territory. These wars not only harm gang members, but also innocent people as they attack through neighborhood and streets.
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References:
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLlrbAZv9Do
Brice, Arthur. (February 2009). Official: Mexican drug turf wars have led to surge in violence.
I like that you talked about gang turfs because that is a very important element of the gang society. Like you mentioned, people get killed over gang turf because the turf is like the home and the job. Good job!
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