Presents findings from research on Chicano gangs in Los Angeles, which indicates that many gang members do not live in the territory they defend as their "turf." Suggests that the ecological premises of research from the old "Chicago school of sociologists" no longer apply to gangs in modern U. S. cities. (Author/GC)

To investigate the extent to which street gangs in Los Angeles (California) are comprised of youth or adults, self-report data from 435 gang members are examined. Findings do not generally support the idea of the aging gang member. Gangs consist primarily of adolescents, regardless of racial and socioeconomic differences. (SLD)