Highlights of the 2004 National Youth Gang Survey

• NCJ Number: 214068
• Author(s): Arlen Egley Jr.; Christina E. Ritz
• Date Published: April 2006
• Length: 2 pages
• Publication Series: OJJDP Youth Gang Series
• Agencies: OJJDP
• Publication Type: Survey

Annotation

This paper summarizes findings from the 2004 National Youth Gang Survey of law enforcement agencies across the United States on youth gang problems within their communities.

Abstract

Highlighted findings from the 2004 National Youth Gang Survey include: (1) approximately 29 percent of the jurisdictions that city and county law enforcement agencies serve experienced youth gang problems in 2004; (2) an estimated 760,000 gang members and 24,000 gangs were active in more than 2,900 jurisdictions served by city and county law enforcement agencies; (3) 10 percent of reporting agencies indicated that more than half of the documented gang members in their jurisdiction had migrated from other areas; (4) 173 cities with a population of 100,000 or more residents reported a gang problem and gang homicide; (5) 36 percent of those experiencing a gang problem operated a specialized unit; and (6) 53 percent of those responding indicated their youth gang problem was “getting better” or “staying about the same.” These findings are the result of an annual survey conducted since 1995 by the National Youth Gang Center (NYGC). Survey responses were received from 2,296 city and county law enforcement agencies. Information was reported solely on youth gangs which were defined as a group of youths, or young adults that were identified as a gang by the agency or jurisdiction and the community. Motorcycle gangs, hate or ideology groups, prison gangs, and all adult gangs were excluded.