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Rising Gang Violence Sparks 80% of US Crime

Groups increase presence on web, school campuses

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 31, 2009 6:34 PM CST
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(Newser) – Growing by the year, US gangs boast about 1 million members and are responsible for up to 80% of crimes across the country, a new federal report says. Law enforcement crackdowns have helped, but gangs remain resistant. "They evolve and adapt,” said an FBI official. “They know what law enforcement is doing. Word of mouth spreads quickly.”

With 200,000 extra members since 2005, gangs increasingly obtain drugs from "foreign sources" and have become the “primary retail-level distributors of most illicit drugs," says the report. Many gangs also utilize the Internet and have increased their presence at suburban and rural schools, USA Today reports.

Criminal gangs in the USA have swelled to an estimated 1 million members responsible for up to 80% of crimes in communities across the nation.
Criminal gangs in the USA have swelled to an estimated 1 million members responsible for up to 80% of crimes in communities across the nation.   (Shutter Stock)
Last year, 58% of state and local law enforcement agencies reported that criminal gangs were active in their jurisdictions, up from 45% in 2004.
Last year, 58% of state and local law enforcement agencies reported that criminal gangs were active in their jurisdictions, up from 45% in 2004.   (Shutter Stock)
The FBI, which has two agents in El Salvador to help identify and track gang members in Central America and the United States, plans to dispatch four more agents to Guatemala and Honduras.
The FBI, which has two agents in El Salvador to help identify and track gang members in Central America and the United States, plans to dispatch four more agents to Guatemala and Honduras.   (AP Photo/Francis Specker)
A new report says about 900,000 gang members live within local communities across the country, and about 147,000 are in U.S. prisons or jails.
A new report says about 900,000 gang members live "within local communities across the country," and about 147,000 are in U.S. prisons or jails.   (Shutter Stock)
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Most regions in the United States will experience increased gang membership and increased gang-related criminal activity. - Justice Department's National Gang Intelligence Center

We've seen an expansion for the last 10 years. Each year, the numbers are moving forward. - Bruce Ferrell, chairman of the Midwest Gang Investigators Association

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Thabrainz
Jan 17, 2011 9:44 PM CST
Check out some recent dialog about gang violence discussed on internet radio show "Center Stage." The topic was "Gang Violence: Are your Colors Worth Dying For." Some of the leading experts in gang violence were comprised on one panel to address how this can be fixed, take a listen. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/centerstage/2011/01/15/gang-violence-is-your-colors-worth-dying-for
Shannonals
Feb 2, 2009 2:41 AM CST
Uh Anchower, geangs aren't just confined to inner cities and children. The most successfuls gangs are made up of a majority of adults.
Guest
Feb 1, 2009 6:47 AM CST
This is what happens when you don't give a s--- about kids growing up in poverty. Whatever their parents' faults may be, why should kids suffer just because of to whom they're born? Let's bail out the inner cities. And legalize drugs. How's that for Change?

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