A steady resurgence of gang problems has occurred in recent years, according to the latest findings of the Institute for Governmental Research and National Youth Gang Survey Analysis. Overall, the number of gang problem jurisdictions in the study population increased 25 percent between 2002 and 2007.
The prevalence of gang problems increased 1.5 percent from 33.3 percent in 2006 to 34.8 percent in 2007, the latest year these statistics are available.
According to the report, 86 percent of law enforcement agencies in larger cities; 50 percent in suburban counties; 35 percent in smaller cities; and 15 percent in rural counties reported problems with gangs in 2007. Gang problems are most widespread in the largest cities in the United States; specifically, 99 percent of law enforcement agencies serving cities with populations of 100,000 or more have reported multiple years of gang problems.
To read the full report, click here.
