| Abstrakt: |
There is no consensus and common ground among scholars toward defining the concept of gangsterism. The type and nature of the so-called gang groups are also stated differently in the existing literature. The aim of this study is to explore the incidence and management of street gangs in two selected Ethiopian cities. A cross-sectional, descriptive mixed research design was implemented to investigate the issue at hand. Purposive sampling is used to recruit the participants. For primary data, focus group discussion (FGD) and in-depth interviews are implemented, and for secondary data, police records are accessed and reviewed. A total of five FGDs and 35 in-depth interviews (15 from Jimma and 20 from Addis Ababa) have been carried out. The findings of the study indicated that street gangsterism, though not organized in a sophisticated manner, is a widespread urban problem in Ethiopia. Secondary data obtained from the Addis Ababa police commission portray that crime typologies typical for street gangsters are highly prevalent. The immediate causes of street gangsterism are highly linked with a lack of resources to sustain one's living at the individual level. Family disintegration and faulty socialization at the meso level and meager political-economy policies of the country at structural level are also risk factors for street gangsterism. Street criminals used newly emerging modus operandi including ginter (deceiving), haya sost (the 23), shuashua (swindling), gichit (collusion), and entif (spitting) to commit crimes against property and related offenses. Addressing existing problems requires unreserved commitment and effort of everyone at the individual, community, and system level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
