NCJ Number
235534
Date Published
January 2010
Length
71 pages
Annotation
Findings are presented from a 2008 survey of Arizona law enforcement agencies regarding gangs and gang activity in their jurisdictions.
Abstract
Gangs were reported to be active in 69 of the 99 jurisdictions that responded to the survey. Fifty-six of these jurisdictions estimated the number of gang members in their jurisdictions to be 25,376. Sixty-five percent of the responding agencies reported that gangs were expanding their membership and the scope of their activities. Assault was reported to be the primary crime being committed by gangs in 70 percent of the jurisdictions. Gangs were involved in burglaries in one-third of the jurisdictions, and 41.2 percent of responding agencies reported that gangs had a high level of involvement in the distribution of marijuana; extensive involvement in the distribution of methamphetamine was reported by 23.5 percent of the jurisdictions. Internet social networking sites were reported to be the primary technology for communication among gang members in 39 of the jurisdictions, followed by cell phones (mentioned by 21 agencies). The strategies reported to be most effective in responding to gangs were intensive and strict enforcement of the law and contact/additional patrol. Over half of the agencies reported participating in a multi-agency response to gangs; 12 percent reported leading a multi-agency task force. The Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission was the most frequently reported multi-agency task force in which agencies were involved. The survey questionnaire was based upon the National Gang Threat Assessment survey conducted by the National Alliance of Gang Investigators Association in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Drug Intelligence Center, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, and Explosives. The findings of the Arizona survey address the State as a whole as well as each of the 14 counties where gangs were reported to be active. 79 tables