Statistics

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     Before discussing strategies for prevention and intervention, facts concerning the statistics on gangs and gang violence need to be presented. Many people may not realize how widespread gangs really are or the potential for violence they leave in their wake. These statistics help paint the blood stained picture that gang warfare creates. Important statistics will be presented in the areas of:

1. General Gang Statistics
2. Gang Violence Statistics
3. Gang Drug Statistics

General Gang Statistics

According to ViolenceProventionInstitute.org:
• 100% of cities with population greater than or equal to 250,000
• 85% of cities with population between 100,000 and 229,999
• 65% of cities with population between 50,000 and 99,999
• 20% of cities with population between 2,500 and 24
• and even 11% of rural counties reported gang activity in 2001.
• It is estimated that 94% of gang members were male and 6% were female in 2000 (ViolenceProventionInstitute.org)
• In 1999, 37% of gang members were estimated to be under the age of 18 (ViolenceProventionInstitue.org)

     These statistics show how truly widespread gangs really are. Even in rural counties where one would least expect gangs to populate a gang presence has began to emerge. The fact that 37% of gang members are under the age of eighteen accentuates the necessity of awareness, prevention, and intervention programs in relation to at risk adolescents.

Drug Statistics

• Respondents (to the 1996 National Youth Drug Survey), estimated 43% of the drug sales in their jurisdiction involved gang members (ncjrs.gov)
• The following table (part of the 1996 National You Drug Survey (ncjrs.gov)) shows that gang members aged 15-17 represent a great deal of drug involvement within gangs.
• In jurisdictions that reported gangs being involved with drugs, the gangs are responsible for two-thirds or more of all drug sales (ncjrs.gov)

     Drug abuse and trafficking are hallmarks to youth gang members. Not only is drug addiction a warning sign an adolescent may be prone to join a gang (Craig et. al., 2002), but “as in the case of drug sales, an age or period effect can be observed, in that the frequency of drug use increases over time” and “gang members show an increase in the frequency of drug use when they join the gang, but no significant decrease when they leave,” (Gatti et. al, 2005).

Gang Violence Statistics

• More than 10 children, and teenagers 19 and under, are killed by guns EVERYDAY, and many more are wounded.
• 77% of murdered juveniles 13-19 are killed by firearms 39% of households have a gun, 24% are handguns Annually 1,409 children and teenagers have taken their own lives with guns.
• 91% of cities with population over 250,000, 64% of cities with population between 100,000 and 250,000, 55% of cities with population between 50,000 and 100,000, and 32% of cities with population between 25,000 and 50,000 reported at least one homicide from 1999 to 2000 that was attributed to gang violence. In these cities, 47% said that the number of gang- related homicides had increased in their jurisdiction

(violencepreventioninstitute.org)

     These statistics demonstrate the necessity to keep our youth out of gangs by any means necessary. The effects of gang affiliation can be permanently life altering in incredibly negative ways. Whether it be the potential for physical harm, death, or the lasting effects of drug addiction, action needs to be taken to stop gangs at their source: the recruiting of new members. Without youth interest and new recruits gangs will eventually falter and be unable to continue functioning.