NCJ Number
137580
Date Published
1991
Length
31 pages
Annotation
The report presents findings from a 1991 survey of gang prevalence in 50 Texas cities, reviews some recent sociological literature on gangs, and recommends State-level policy options.
Abstract
Police departments in 38 of the 50 Texas cities surveyed (75 percent) reported a gang problem in 1991. A more detailed survey of Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, El Paso, Corpus Christi, Abilene, and Harlington showed gang membership to represent about 9 percent of the total 7th to 12th grade male school enrollment plus dropouts. Five of these cities indicated that gang activity had increased in the last year. A recent California study consistently found families of gang members to be suffering the hardships of hunger, poor housing, and inadequate clothing. Families of gang members also often had been disrupted by death, desertion, or divorce. State-level policy options include establishing and maintaining a statewide data base, implementing a preventive and compassionate as well as a suppressive policy; and recognizing that youth gang activity is symptomatic of diverse social and economic problems and calls for the creation of alternative opportunities for these youths. 8 figures, 11 tables, and 50 footnotes