Criminal gangs are likely to exist in stable low-income areas where there are close relationships between adolescent and adult gang members. Conflict gangs develop in communities with dilapidated conditions and transient populations. When criminal opportunities do not conflict, gangs fight to gain social status and protect their integrity and honor. Retreatist gangs do not possess the skills to be considered criminal gangs. They retreat into a role on the fringe of society that usually involves heavy drug use and withdrawal from social interaction.
Corporate gangs focus their attention on making money.
There is a clearly defined division of labor, and members' criminal activities are committed almost exclusively for profit. Territorial gangs focus on possession of turf, and gang members are quick to use violence to secure or protect what belongs to the gang. Scavenger gangs have very little organizational structure, and gang members are motivated by a need to belong to a group. Their crimes are usually impulsive and often senseless. There are no objectives or goals for the gang, and the gang members tend to be low achievers who are prone to violent and erratic behavior.