The Interview

   I had the experience and opportunity to be able to interview Ben Castiglioni; he is the head of the Juvenile Probation gang unit in Berks County which is where Reading, Pennsylvania is located. I was able to ask him some questions and gained some rather valuable information about gangs that operate locally as well as other nationally known gangs. Along with that the racial backgrounds of these gangs have been listed as well, but even more shocking the amount of females that are now involved. The picture to the left is of my cousin Ben Castiglioni (Left) and of his partner Juan Roman (Right) at a seminar speaking on gangs. Below is our interview.


 Q: How many juveniles are in the juvenile system today? Of that number, how many of them are listed as having a relation to gangs?

A: Numbers ran of juveniles under supervision, and the number came back to roughly a thousand kids being under juvenile supervision in the county of berks. Actively listen within the statistics listed within their systems, there are 92 listed as gang members. Although that number is listed within the computer system; that number may be have some juveniles who are unreported as being listed as being gang active. So this number may in fact be higher than just 92.


Q: Other than the Crips and the Bloods, what are the other well-known gangs across the country?

A: Latin Kings, Surenos, Black P-stones, Pirus, and Gangster Disciples.


Q: At what age do these gangs begin to recruit their members?

A: Sometimes as early as birth, some of these young children are rather unfortunate and are born into the lifestyle or the gang family. But there has been gang activity seen in as young as elementary schools where children are "reppin" gangs, and are throwing up gang signs


Q: What tasks must these young members perform in order to succeed or rank up within their new gang?

A: These young members must "put in work" which is slang to committing criminal activity that will benefit the gang, which could include robbery, drug dealing, or fighting of opposing gang members. This will have the young wannabes gain respect with the gang, which will then have them "jumped in" which in terms means that the gang performs a beating of the individual for them to be able to be seen as tough enough to be a member.

Q: Where do these gang members recruit the young children, and how do they persuade them to join in on their criminal activity?

A: Neighborhoods or Parks are where these prospects are located and targeted. These are young school kids, but they are friends and family of the gang members they are not complete strangers. There is a preexisting influence with these prospects.

Q: Do certain gangs target to recruit a certain race of young teens over another race for their gangs?

A: In the immediate Berks County area no, there is no targeting of a certain race, but predominately blacks are members of the Bloods and of the Crips. Mexicans are strictly Surenos. Latin Kings only have Hispanic members. In today's gang world, mostly any gang will take any members they can get. I have seen Hispanic and White members of Bloods and Crips, but Latin Kings are those who try to stick with a strict membership of Hispanic members.

Q: With all of these gangs, where does the racial diversity stand between them, and is there more of a dominance of race in one gang over another? What is the breakdown between the gangs?

A: Nationally, Latin Kings are Hispanic, Bloods and Crips are Black, OMGs (Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs) are white.

Q: Must certain requirements be met physically, racially, or ethnicity wise in order for these young juveniles to become full blown members?

A: Physically able to perform criminal activity. Gangs will sometimes target mentally slow individuals who are in special needs classes in school to be members. The reason for this is how easily these individuals can be manipulated into performing criminal acts without asking questions.


Q: Do you see a lot of female gang members in today's gang world?

A: There are more and more female gang members in today's society. These females are the ones dating the gang member. These females help their boyfriends/fellow gang members by carrying weapons and drugs.


Q: What are the racial/ethnic backgrounds of these females joining?

A: Predominately Hispanic and some Black females. Mainly because of the demographics in which gangs operate.


Q: With all of these juveniles engaging in gang activity, do you think there is hope for change of these young teens, or do you believe the gang lifestyle will live with them forever?

A: There is hope for the majority of the juveniles under supervision, but there is about a hardcore 5% that will stay within the gang lifestyle for life, but other than that, a lot of the juveniles will find their way out. That also depends on where the gang is located. A hardcore gang in Compton, California compared to Reading, PA is completely different, and getting out of a gang may result in death.

    This interview was an eye opening one for sure. Seeing that there are ninety-two active gang members within the juvenile system is rather mind blowing. To think that these ninety-two are only the ones who have gotten caught, could mean that there are another 200 juvenile gang affiliates out there, some being in fifth grade getting ready to get beaten up in order to run with these street pirates. It is a scary truth, and one that all parents must be aware of for our children's success.