NCJ Number
228803
Date Published
July 2009
Length
89 pages
Annotation
This report by the U.S. General Accountability Office (GAO) to the ranking member of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform addresses the Federal effort to combat gang crime.
Abstract
The study examined the roles of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in combating gang crime, including the extent to which these agencies coordinate their efforts with one another as well as State and local agencies. The study also reviewed the extent to which DOJ and DHS measured their gang enforcement efforts, as well as how Federal grant funding is used to administer or support activities intended to reduce gang-related crime. The study found that various DOJ and DHS components have developed distinctive roles in combating gang crime. At the headquarters level, DOJ has established entities that share information on gang-related investigations across agencies; however, some of these entities have not differentiated roles and responsibilities. At the field division level, Federal agencies have established strategies to help coordinate antigang efforts , including the creation of federally led task forces. Officials interviewed were generally satisfied with the task force structure for leveraging resources. Federal agencies have measured the results of their gang-related enforcement efforts, but these efforts have been hindered by the absence of a shared definition of "gang" among involved agencies, U.S. Attorneys Offices' underreporting of gang-related information, and the lack of department-wide performance measures for antigang efforts. DOJ administers several grant programs that assist communities in addressing gang problems; however, funded initiatives have had mixed results. Evaluations found little evidence that these programs reduced youth gang crimes. Rather than continuing such funding, DOJ plans to provide technical assistance to communities that are implementing antigang programs without Federal funding. Recommendations are offered for addressing the aforementioned issues. 4 tables; 12 figures; and appended supplementary information on the nature and scope of gang crime, Federal statutes used in gang-related prosecutions, elements of a strategy for combating gangs, study scope and methodology, and comments on the report from DOJ and DHS