While I'm not convinced about the "gang ties" theme [that's a
   common thing assumed in these situations, probably because
   they're black] - the line that jumps out at me is this: "*But
   also, we are concerned about downward pressure from some of the
   older gang members pushing the younger ones to do some of the
   dirty work.*" and that's how I see it. People get *really
   stupid* in groups of three or more. Everything suddenly makes
   sense that wouldn't normally make sense if they were alone.
   Before you know it, you find yourself in a situation you
   wouldn't have been in normally. I think this is the case.