NCJ Number
147370
Journal
NIJ Reports Issue: 224 Dated: (June 1991) Pages: 4-5
Date Published
1991
Length
2 pages
Annotation
The Assistant Attorney General describes the research and action plan of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to strengthen Federal leadership and coordinate Federal efforts to address gang-related crimes in cities in the United States.
Abstract
The Initiative on Gangs: Drugs and Violence in America is being closely coordinated with the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice. As part of its fact-finding mission, OJP will initially conduct site visits around the country, using the NIJ research network, and will publish a report on its findings. OJP will also develop a long-term plan for continuing cooperation between Federal, State, and local agencies, whose research will aid general understanding of the scope of the gang problem. Two of the most violent juvenile gangs are the Crips and Bloods who are based in Los Angeles and have spread to other areas. The gang problem involves adults as well as juveniles; the adults have leadership roles and engage in the greatest violence. A 1989 survey of law enforcement officials in 45 cities produced estimates of nearly 1,500 youth gangs nationwide. Although African Americans and Hispanics seem to dominate the membership of criminal gangs, the problem includes Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian youth. NIJ efforts will include an analysis of promising approaches to gang control