ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the existing research and literature, which potentially provides the theoretical support for using injunctions and gang abatement to combat gangs and reviews the literature that makes specific predictions regarding gang injunction efficacy. In reviewing the literature, it is clear that using civil laws against gangs can be very controversial and brings up issues like racism, community involvement, and constitutional issues. My review has been arranged within eight categories that I feel are the most debated, most controversial, and often most misunderstood. By reviewing the existing work in the field, I also selected the methodological and measurement methods used in Chapters 7-9, including how to measure crime and gang injunction and abatement.
