THE SCOPE OF YOUTH GANGS AND THEIR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN SELECTED MUNICIPALITIES IN QUEZON PROVINCE

The study aimed to identify the scope of youth gangs and their illegal activities in Quezon province. The study also sought to determine the perception of the respondents on the common reasons of youth involvement in gangs also formed an integral part of the study. In order to answer the different questions stated above, the researchers devised a research instrument that was answered by 30 respondents. The respondents were divided into two wherein the first group was the youth-gang members from different local in Quezon province. The first group of the respondents were composed of 30 respondents while the second group consisted of 30 respondents which were law enforcer and resource persons from different municipalities in Quezon province. In the identification of the common reasons of youth involvement in gangs, the researchers found that youth gang-respondents may be pulled and/or pushed into gang membership. Pulls are features that attract youth such as the perception of increased reputation and social status, the desire to be with friends and/or family who are already gang involved, drugs and/or excitement and cultural pride and identification with one’s neighborhood. Moreover, the common illegal activities of youth gangs enumerated were smoked cigarettes and drank alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, whisky, and other similar drinks. Youth gangs also drunk in a public place while used and sold drugs. Further, youth gangs became violent as they fought over control of liquor. Being drunk and disorderly was not actually behaving on a drunken manner in public. They initiated to use drugs 3 or more times per week were more likely to report gang membership than students who did not report alcohol or drug use. Boys were more likely than girls to report alcohol-related fighting and drug selling. It is therefore recommended that the law enforcers frequently patrol to the urban areas prone to illegal activities to make the community feel safe and secured. They tap schools to give an awareness campaign about different organizations wherein students can wisely choose a group that contributes to the progress of the community and avoid illegal activities. Criminology students may focus on prevention as well as intervention for delinquent and at-risk youth and fully aware of the illegal activities where they should not be involved. Key Words: crimes, illegal activities, youth gangs