How Social Media Mythologizes Gang Lifestyle | The Business of Crime

Summary

This documentary explores the intersection of gang violence and social media, using the tragic murder of 15-year-old Lesandro Guzman-Feliz as a focal point. A member of the Trinitarios gang, he was mistakenly killed in a brutal attack, exacerbated by gang infighting and fueled by online rivalries. The rise of digital platforms has transformed traditional gang activity, enabling recruitment, intimidation, and humiliation across vast distances. As gang culture becomes increasingly visible online, it both empowers and exposes perpetrators, with police leveraging digital evidence to track and arrest them. This case exemplifies how social media has reshaped the landscape of modern crime and violence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Social media has become a major tool for gang recruitment, communication, and intimidation, reshaping traditional street gangs.
• 😀 The 2018 murder of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz (Junior) was a tragic case of mistaken identity, fueled by social media-driven gang violence.
• 😀 Junior, an innocent teen, was wrongly targeted by the Trinitarios gang due to his appearance in a viral video, showcasing the dangers of online exposure.
• 😀 Gangs like the Trinitarios, originally formed in the 1990s, have evolved from street-level operations to digitally enhanced, decentralized groups.
• 😀 Social media has enabled rival gang factions to clash over virtual spaces, escalating real-world violence and creating a digital 'turf war'.
• 😀 The gang lifestyle is often glamorized on social media, making it attractive to young people seeking status, wealth, and a sense of belonging.
• 😀 Gang members use social media to broadcast their violent actions, further perpetuating fear and intimidation in communities.
• 😀 The murder of Junior was not only a personal tragedy but also a symbolic representation of how social media fuels gang rivalries and violence.
• 😀 The internet allows gangs to reach wider audiences, making it easier for them to recruit and threaten individuals across different regions and even countries.
• 😀 Law enforcement is increasingly using social media to track gang activities, turning the digital tool that gangs exploit into one that helps police dismantle their operations.

Q & A

What was the main cause behind the murder of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz?

Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, or Junior, was mistakenly identified by members of the Trinitarios gang as someone involved in their violent activities. This misidentification led to his brutal murder, despite him not being a gang member.

How did social media contribute to the rise in gang violence?

Social media has amplified gang violence by providing a platform for gang members to showcase their activities, recruit new members, and escalate rivalries. This digital presence has made gang life more visible and accessible, increasing its appeal to younger individuals.

What role did social media play in the public reaction to Junior's murder?

CCTV and smartphone footage of Junior's murder went viral, quickly spreading through social media. This exposed the brutality of the attack to a wide audience, shocking New York and the world, and contributing to a wider public awareness of gang violence.

How has the structure of gangs like the Trinitarios evolved due to social media?

Social media has disrupted traditional gang hierarchies, creating smaller, neighborhood-based cliques. Young individuals now form these cliques online, often fueled by the desire for attention and status, which is facilitated through social media posts.

Why do gangs use social media to recruit and intimidate others?

Gangs use social media to glamorize their violent lifestyle, attracting younger individuals looking for community and status. Posts showcasing money, weapons, and violent acts help to recruit new members and intimidate rivals, as these acts are broadcast to a wide audience.

What was the impact of social media on the Trinitarios' internal conflicts?

Social media exacerbated infighting within the Trinitarios by amplifying rivalries between different subsets of the gang. Public displays of violence and disrespect on social media often led to real-world confrontations.

How do gang members use social media to humiliate their enemies?

Gang members use social media to post videos and images that discredit or disrespect rival gangs. This humiliation is often tied to public displays of violence, aimed at asserting dominance and gaining respect in the digital space.

How did law enforcement react to the increase in gang activity fueled by social media?

While social media allows gangs to spread their influence, it also provides law enforcement with tools to track gang members and their activities. The NYPD, for example, has been able to use the digital footprint of gang members to gather intelligence and make arrests.

What is the 'digital street' and how does it relate to gang culture?

The 'digital street' refers to how traditional street life has moved into the online world, where gang members engage in similar activities—such as asserting dominance, recruiting, and communicating—through social media, creating a new form of community.

What is the double-edged sword mentioned in relation to gang use of social media?

While social media allows gangs to recruit, intimidate, and escalate violence, it also serves as a tool for law enforcement. The digital presence of gang members can be tracked, and their online activities can lead to arrests and prosecutions.