NCJ Number
151295
Date Published
1994
Length
254 pages
Annotation
This assessment of State prosecutions of criminal street gangs is comprised of a national survey of State prosecutors regarding their reaction to and assessment of street gang activity, a review of State legislation specifically targeted at stemming criminal gang activity, and four case studies that examine how local prosecutors have confronted street gangs.
Abstract
An analysis of the 192 survey responses from jurisdictions reporting gang problems showed that local black gangs are present in 83 percent of large jurisdictions and 60 percent of small jurisdictions, while Caribbean-based gangs were reported in 43 percent and 16 percent of large and small jurisdictions, respectively. However, according to survey responses, the latter are always involved in drug trafficking, while Asian and hate gangs are usually more involved in violent crime. About one-third of prosecutors in large jurisdictions have formed gang units. The most significant problems in prosecuting gangs include obtaining victim and witness cooperation, overcoming witness intimidation, and dealing with underlying problems such as the lack of early intervention programs for youth at risk. The sites selected for the case studies included two jurisdictions in States with gang legislation and two in States without such legislation. 4 appendixes, chapter references