Neighborhood Gangs in Algerian Cities

Abstract

Crime is one of the oldest phenomena known to human societies. It has evolved alongside societal changes, taking different forms and being shaped by cultural conflicts. Furthermore, it has been intensified by the development of modern criminal means. The motives for crime are numerous and varied, differing from one environment to another depending on place and time.

Neighborhood gangs are considered one of the most serious and complex social problems as they undermine the security and stability of societies by generating insecurity within residential neighborhoods. Algeria has recently experienced significant growth in this phenomenon, especially in major urban centers. Incidents and crimes committed by neighborhood gangs are increasingly reported in the daily news, and these gangs have come to pose a genuine threat to citizens’ lives. These gangs are often led by young people and adolescents who transform residential areas into arenas for disputes, altercations and clashes, using bladed weapons such as knives and daggers — and, in some cases, modern weapons — against each other. They also extort money from residents of these neighborhoods.

This study aims to examine and understand this phenomenon, including its circumstances, underlying causes and mechanisms for combating it or limiting its effects.