Introduction
A surge in violent crime for the last two years is currently one of the main concerns of many Americans and President Trump administration. According to the crime report that was released by the FBI in 2017, violent crime increased by about 4.1% in 2016 while that of homicide rose by 8.6% (Williams, 2017). The same trend was experienced in the country in 2015 when violent crime and homicide increased by 3.9% and 10.8% respectively (Williams, 2017). The US had not suffered a surge in violent crime in violent crimes in two consecutive in many decades. The persistent increase in violent crime and homicide is mainly linked to the rise in gang activities across the country. The report that was released by the gang report that was released by the FBI in 2015 indicated that all types of gangs have been expanding regarding membership and their activities (Williams, 2017). Gang activities should be addressed to enhance the safety and security of Americans.
Number of Gangs in the USA
The report from FBI shows the number of gangs in the countries is increasing and the trend should be stopped because it poses a severe danger to individuals and the society at large. FBI estimates the number of gangs in the country to be 33,000, which is much higher compared to other developed countries globally (FBI 2018). The gangs engage in a lot of violent activities while at the same time they are highly sophisticated and organized. The number of gang members is also enormous and threatening. The estimated number of gang members in the county is 1.4 million, which is bigger compared to the top largest cities in the country such as San Antonio and California that has about 1.3 million residents each (Starr, 2017). The statistics from the FBI clearly shows that gang activities are growing in the country and the problem should be solved.
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Gangs in the USA can broadly be categorized into street gangs, prison gangs, and outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMG). Street gangs mainly operate on the street as well as the neighborhood (FBI, 2016). Street gangs are found in almost all states in the country, and they engage in many activities such as drug distribution, financial crimes, intimidation and threats, and violent rivalry as well as alliances with other criminal organizations. Prison gangs, on the other hand, are based on the penal system, and they operate from correctional facilities. However, they collaborate with other criminal organizations, especially street gangs t expand their operations beyond prisons. The main illegal activities that are committed by prison gangs include smuggling and drug trafficking. They also collude with other criminal organizations to threaten and kill people outside correctional facilities. Finally, OMGs mainly use motorcycles to perpetuate their criminal activities in the society (FBI, 2016). It members always possess motorcycles, and they mostly extort money from members of the organization. Thus, street gangs, prison gangs, and OMGs dominate violent crimes in the USA.
Gangs that are Considered Most Disturbing by the FBI
Based on the gang report that was released by the FBI in 2015, neighborhood-based gangs are the most dangerous criminal organization, and they are associated with a serious threat to individuals and American society at large. Unlike other criminal organizations, street gangs engage in a lot of illegal activities such as assault, robbery, threats, and intimidations. They have also killed many people in the country. For instance, a neighborhood-based gang known as the United Blood Nation (UBN) killed a couple in North Carolina to prevent the husband from testifying against its members who were arrested for robbing a mattress store (FBI, 2016). Neighborhood-based gangs are not only a threat to civilians but also law enforcement officers. A significant number of police officers have been killed by the gang members while on duty. For example, a police officer who was based in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community was murdered by the East Side Los Guada Bloods. The officer was responsible for the racketeering case against the criminal organization (FBI, 2016) . FBI, therefore, believes that neighborhood-based gangs are the most disturbing because of their ability to pose a threat to all members of society, including police officers.
Besides, prison gangs are also considered to be disturbing by the FBI, mainly based on the nature of their operations. Unlike street gangs and OMGs, the activities of prison gangs are invisible because they operate behind the scene. The gangs are also dangerous because they mainly oversee the operations of street gangs. As a result, they have more influence and power than street gangs. Also, the prison gang is a threat because they work closely with prison staff (FBI, 2016). A significant number of prison officers have been found engaging in smuggling and money laundry that are directed by prison gangs. The invisible nature of prison gangs makes them disturbing and dangerous.
Trends in the Gang Activities
One of the significant trends in gang activities is close collaboration between various criminal organizations, even those that are not related. FBI noted that gang members commit crimes after they have been sent to prison. This is an indication that gang groups or organizations have formed a strong network that enables them to operate beyond streets and prisons. The close collaboration between prison and street gangs is a worrying trend because it shows that prison can no longer be used to deter criminal activities in the society. People can still commit crimes such as murder while in prison. A strong network and collaboration between criminal organizations is a trend in gang activities that are emerging (FBI, 2016). The trend may make it impossible for the police to eliminate or reduce gang activities in the future. The same trend is captured on the notational report that was released by the FBI in 2015.
Another trend in the criminal activities is known as “fences” that refers to be people who intentionally buy stolen goods and resell them to make a profit. Even though the concept is not new, it has enhanced jewelry and gem theft significantly over the last decades. FBI estimates that the jewelry industry loses about $100 million annually because of theft from various gang groups. Gangs are motivated to steal jewelry and gem because they are not only expensive but also due to the ready market that is provided by fences (FBI, n.d). Fencing is a trend that is encouraging criminal activities. The main cities where fencing is common, according to the FBI, include New York City and Miami. Although the national report indicates that jewelry theft has increased, it does not explain the role of fences in facilitating such a crime.
Also, violent crime against children is increasing in various parts of the country. Thousands of children become victims of criminal activities in the country annually, and the trend is continuing (FBI, n.d). Currently, the main crime against children includes kidnapping and sexual abuse. FBI is now worried that many children are suffering in the hands of gangs in the country. As a result, it is striving to end violent crime against children. The national report also indicates that crime against children has increased significantly.
Anti-Gang Initiatives Spearheaded by the FBI
One of the anti-gang initiatives that I believe is most effective is the establishment of the National Gang Intelligence Center (NGIC). The primary role of NGIC is to integrate gang intelligence collected from various sources and then share it with the relevant authorities or agencies after the analysis (FBI, 2018). I believe that the only practical way to eliminate or reduce gang activities is to know how criminal organizations operate. Knowing how gang organizations operate and their motivations enable law enforcement agencies to come up with effective strategies to end their operations. Using reliable intelligence can assist in reducing gang activities in the country. Also, the Violent Gang Task Forces is an anti-gang initiative that is effective mainly be because it is based on the collaboration of national, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Dealing with gang activities require teamwork because a single agency cannot end them.
Conclusion
Reports and information from the FBI show that gang activities are increasing in the country. Many gang organizations now operate in the USA, and they carry out both violent and non-violent crimes at the local and national level. The level of security is deteriorating in America due to gang activities. Therefore, relevant agencies and the community should collaborate to end gang activities in the USA.
References
FBI. (2016). National gang report 2015 . Retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov/file- repository/stats-services-publications-national-gang-report-2015.pdf/view
FBI. (2018). What we investigate: Gang . Retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/violent-crime/gangs
FBI. (n.d). What we investigate: Jewelry and gem theft. Retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/violent-crime/jewelry-gem-theft
Starr, P. (2017, June 15). FBI: 33,000 criminal gangs, 1.4 million members active in U.S. Retrieved from https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/06/15/fbi-33000- criminal-gangs-1-4-million-members-active-in-u-s/
Williams, T. (2017, September 25). Violent crime in the U.S. rises for the second consecutive year. The New York Times . Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/25/us/violent-crime-murder-chicago-increase-.html
