1. Gangs

2. Gang Membership in the US
1,000,000 members as of September 2008 up from 800,000 in 2005
Current estimates show about 900,000 gang members in local communities and about 150,000 in jail
States in the Pacific, Southwest, and Central Regions rank highest in percentage of the population identified as gang members

3. Gang Types
Street Gangs
Prison Gangs
Motorcycle Gangs

4. Street Gangs Largest gangs and control the greatest geographical area
Their criminal activities pose the greatest threat
National and regional level gangs are migrating from urban to suburban and rural areas
11 National level street gangs have been identified in the US
May currently be broadening their presence outside the US

5. Regional level street gangs
Are increasingly involved with drug distribution at the wholesale level.
At least five street gangs
They are typically organized with several hundred to several thousand members.
May have members in foreign countries and other criminal organizations within the US

6. Local Street Gangs Are based in a specific neighborhood
Most engage in violence in conjunction with other crimes including drug distribution
Usually have no ties to other criminal organizations, but a few local gangs along the US-Mexico border buy from wholesale traffickers from Mexico

7. Prison Gangs
Highly structured criminal networks that operate within the federal and state prison systems
Operate in local communities through members who have been released from prison
Have great control over midlevel and retail drug distribution in the Southwest and Southern California
Work at the National, Regional, State and local levels

8. Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs
About 20,000 members in 300 to 500 gangs
Engage in violent crime, weapons and drug trafficking
Strong centralized leadership and strict rules regarding membership, conduct and criminal activity
Operate at the National, Regional, and Local levels

9. Criminal Activities
Gang members are responsible for as much as 80% of the crime in some locations.
Violent disputes erupt over control of drug territory
Other activities include auto theft, assault, alien smuggling, burglary, drive-by shootings, extortion, firearms offenses, home invasion robberies, homicide, identity theft, insurance fraud, mortgage fraud, operating prostitution rings and weapons trafficking

10. Gang Finances
Criminal operations and lifestyle is financed primarily through drug distribution
Most members are retail level dealers
Money is often laundered through “front companies” such as clothing stores, hair salons, music recording and production companies
Gangs combine illicit proceeds from drug sales with legal income from these businesses
Some purchase real estate and mix drug money with rental income

11. Gang Communications
Members use multiple pre-paid cell phones and the internet
Members use social networking sites to recruit members

12. Cross-Border Activity
Trafficking drugs and illegal aliens from Mexico into the US increases gang revenues
Gangs are increasingly smuggling weapons from the US into Mexico as payment for drugs or to sell for significant profit

13. Female Involvement in Gangs
Female gang membership is on the rise
The National Council on Crime and Delinquency ranked young females as the fastest growing offenders in the national juvenile justice population
Studies show female gang membership at 15-50%

14. Outlook
Most regions of the US will experience increased gang membership and continued migration of gangs to suburban and rural areas
Gang related criminal activity is expected to increase
An increase in violent homicides is expected
An increase in relationships with wholesale drug traffickers from Mexico is expected

16. Source