The United States saw increases in the total number of gangs and gang members from 2010 to 2011, according to the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), but the number of gang-related homicides decreased during that time.
OJJDP published yesterday “Highlights of the 2011 National Youth Gang Survey.” The report presents findings from the National Gang Center's National Youth Gang Survey, which collects data from local law enforcement agencies.
In 2011, there were an estimated 29,900 gangs, a three percent increase from the previous year's estimate of 29,000. The number of gang members rose 3.4 percent from 756,000 in 2010 to 782,500.
Gang activity was concentrated primarily in urban areas, according to OJJDP. About 87 percent 1,824 gang-related homicides reported in 2011 were in cities. In 2010, there were 2,020 gang-related homicides reported nationwide.
The main factors influencing gang violence, according to OJJDP, include: drug-related issues, intergang conflict, return from confinement, emergence of new gangs, intragang conflict and gang member migration.
To read the full report, click HERE.