1st Edition

The Gang Life: Laugh Now, Cry Later
Suppression and Prevention

ISBN 9781498778077
Published October 6, 2017 by Routledge
156 Pages

USD $86.95

Prices & shipping based on shipping country


Book Description

The Gang Life: Laugh Now, Cry Later examines the criminal gangster mindset and offers gang prevention strategies, using real-world examples to demonstrate a holistic approach toward combatting this surging societal problem. The text outlines the evolution of gang membership from a state of interest, to association, to hardcore "O.G." (Original Gangster) status, and explores the evolution of law enforcement’s multi-pronged approach to combating criminal street gang violence, from the catch-and-release mentality of the 1970s and 1980s to today’s collaboration with private organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs.

In-depth profiles, case studies, and lengthy histories of gangs, gang members, and their transformations are provided to demonstrate the deleterious effect of gangs on society. Designed for criminal justice students and for practitioners in the field, this text offers readers a holistic approach toward gang prevention from three nationally awarded educators and gang investigators.

Table of Contents




  1. Problem
  2. National Perspective
    1. Philadelphia
    2. Los Angeles
    3. New York City
    4. Washington, DC

  3. Discussion
  4. Criminal Justice Transformation
    1. The Role of Leaders in Criminal Justice Reform
    2. Accountability
    3. Criminal Justice Organizations

  5. Gang Trends
    1. Malls Ground Zero for Recruitment

  6. First Contact
    1. Donny
    2. Silvio
    3. Jackson

  7. Intervention
  8. Second Contact
  9. Sustained Programs
  10. When Efforts Fail
  11. Suppression
    1. .Juvenile Gangs
    2. WSE

  12. Final Contact
    1. Donny
    2. Jackson
    3. Nitemare
    4. Bryce

  13. Case Studies (1 to 5)
  14. Strain to the Criminal Justice System
  15. The Way Forward
    1. Accountability
    2. Criminal Justice Organizations
    3. Predictive Gang Prevention Programs
    4. Collaboration
    5. Team Building in PGPs
    6. Sustainability of PGPs
    7. Innovation
    8. Importance of Data
    9. Communication
    10. Ethical Considerations
    11. Motivational Interviewing

  16. Findings and Conclusions
    1. Recommendations





View More



Robert Matthew Brzenchek is a Ph.D. student at Capella University with a proposed dissertation focus on gang research. He is an Assistant Criminal Justice Professor in Philadelphia, PA, where he educates the next generation of criminal justice professionals. He received his undergraduate degree from George Mason University and a Master’s Degree from the American Military University.

As a police officer and Navy Intelligence Specialist, Brzenchek has worked with dozens of national agencies, governments, and international organizations, and has performed suppression and intervention techniques with various gangs ranging from MS-13, Bloods, Crips, and Latin Kings. He is a member of the West Point Society of Philadelphia, and Board member of SERAPH. He has published articles on gangs, emergency management, threat assessments, and homeland and international security.

Ben Pieper is a former United States Marine who was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps. After leaving the Marines, Pieper joined the Bradenton Police Department; he was later re-called by the USMC and returned to active duty for a tour in Iraq. Once his active duty was completed, he returned to continue his work as a law enforcement officer. Pieper is Co-Owner and Instructor for All Is One International, LLC, as well as a Senior Detective in the Bradenton Police Department Gang Unit.

Prior to establishing All Is One International LLC, Pieper taught for the Florida Gang Investigators Association. He has worked in numerous cities nationwide, and has trained thousands of law enforcement, military, and private security personnel on topics such as criminal street gangs, racketeering, and advanced long-term investigations. In 2010, both the Florida Gang Investigators Association and the Tampa Bay Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) honored Pieper with their Gang Investigator of the Year awards.

Garrick Plonczynski has been employed with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office since 1998. He currently is a detective and served in his agency's gang unit from 2002–2015. He is also the Co-Owner and Instructor for All Is One International, LLC. He holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice from SUNY Brockport.

Plonczynski has been the lead investigator on two R.I.C.O. cases and consulted for outside jurisdictions on their racketeering cases. Additionally, he has trained law enforcement across the nation on the threat of gangs and has been considered a subject matter expert on this topic in several high profile court cases. In 2008, he was awarded the award Gang Investigator of the Year by the Florida Gang Investigators Association (FGIA). In 2006 and 2011, the FGIA also awarded Gang Unit of the Year to the gang unit in which he served.