Gang Member Migration

Over the past decade, annual estimates of the number of gangs have averaged around 27,000 nationally. Following a annual decrease from 1996 to a short in 2003, the yearly estimates steadily increased through 2012. Gang membership has been increasing significantly over the past few years.”The recent estimate of more than 30,000 gangs represents a 15 percent increase from 2006 and is the highest annual estimate since 1996”.(NationalGangCenter) The maximum number of gangs has to do with the type of area. Larger cities and Suburban counties expectedly announce higher numbers of gangs. “More than half of suburban counties and 45 percent of larger cities report 10 or fewer active gangs in their jurisdictions.” (NationalGangCenter) A gang
However, every city in the U.S with a large population has some level of gang activity. Gangs often migrate to areas formerly unaffected by gang activity to increase their drug operations.There are a couple of factors that influence gang member migration. The reasons gang members migrate is grouped into two categories. The first one would be illegitimate reasons which are drug distribution, illegal activity, recruiting members, and avoiding law enforcement the other reason would be legitimate reasons which include concerns and effort to improve the quality of life and moves with family for employment or educational opportunities. A survey was taken by NYGS to show the percentage of factors that influence gang migration. The results prove that social reasons were rated as one of the highest factors with a percentage of 46.7. Getting away from gang life was the lowest with a percentage of
Most gang problems begin in small cities and rural counties. They may exist more in small cities and poor areas because of kids living condition. They’re more exposed to violent crime and see that lifestyle as something great. The factors can be physical abuse, having access to weapons and drugs, living poverty, having access to weapons and drugs, and lack of success in places such as school. Factors like these are the things that are increasing gangs jurisdictions. “The number of jurisdictions reporting youth gangs increased by 4.1 percent for the Nation as a whole, as shown by comparison of the estimated number of jurisdictions reporting gangs prior to 1996 with those reporting gangs in 1996.” (OJJDP) “Youth gang members were estimated to have been involved in 2,364 homicides in large cities and 561 homicides in suburban counties.” (OJJDP) gangs problem in this country is significant and affects communities of all sizes. According to NYGS surveys, gang problem will continue to grow over the following years to