This fact sheet provides an overview of trends in gang activity, law enforcement designations of gang membership, factors influencing local gang violence, and anti-gang measures. The National Gang Survey is administered annually by the National Youth Gang Center to a national representative sample of local law enforcement agencies. Data from 3,100 jurisdictions in 2012 estimated that there were 30,700 gangs (8% increase from 2011), 850,000 gang members (11% increase), and 2,363 gang-related homicides (20% increase compared with previous 5-year average). Nearly 30 percent of responding agencies reported gang activity, which continued to be concentrated primarily in urban areas, even more so in recent years. Gang-related homicides increased overall nationally, partly due to increased and more complete reporting by agencies.
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