Final answer:
Gang characteristics do not necessarily include living in a low-income area, as gangs can form under various socioeconomic conditions. Social disorganization theory indicates that a lack of strong social ties and community control in any neighborhood can contribute to higher crime rates and the potential emergence of gangs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics of a gang that do not necessarily include is living in a low-income area. While social disorganization theory does point to poverty and residential instability as factors that may lead to higher crime rates, it doesn't imply that all gangs are based in low-income areas. Gangs may form in a variety of socioeconomic contexts, based on a number of factors including social bonds, collective efficacy, and the presence or absence of community institutions. There are wealthy communities that may still experience the presence of gangs, though the contributing factors might differ from those in impoverished areas.
In reference to social disorganization theory, crime is most likely to occur in a community where neighbors don't know each other very well. This situation leads to weaker social ties and a lack of informal social control, which can foster an environment where criminal behaviors and gangs are more likely to emerge. In contrast, neighborhoods with strong social networks and stable residents better promote collective efficacy against crime. While one of the predictors of elevated crime rates includes poverty, among other factors such as ethnic heterogeneity and residential mobility, it's not exclusive to low-income areas.