strong working relationships with prosecutors and probation officers so that, when arrested, gang members receive special attention and appropriate sentences. Finally, a standardized reporting system to capture the true extent of gang activity in America remains a goal that all concerned citizens should work toward. Protecting this nation’s youth from the dangers of gang involvement requires the effort of all facets of the society. If America’s heartland is facing the threat of gangs, the entire country is at risk.
Endnotes
1 The author based this article on his experience investigating
gang-related cases and on information he and his fellow officers have gathered
for presentations to the law enforcement community and the general public,
contained in a department training guide.
2 Weed and Seed has existed since 1991 as a comprehensive effort between law
enforcement and health and human services to prevent and deter crime in high-risk
areas. COPS began as a 6-year, $9 billion federal initiative designed to spur
the hiring of more police and promote community policing.
3 The state motto of Indiana.
4 Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana, has a population of approximately 750,000
and hosts the annual Indianapolis 500 auto race, considered the largest 1-day
event in the world.
5 Lieutenant Colonel W.H. Sleeman, Report on Budhuk Alia Bagree Decoits and
Other Gang Robbers by Hereditary Profession and on the Measures Adopted by the
Government of India for Their Suppression (Calcutta, India: J.C. Sherriff,
Bengal Military Orphan Press, 1849).
6 Frederic M. Thrasher, The Gang: The Full Original Edition (Peotone, IL: New
Chicago School Press, 2000).
7 David M. Allender, “Safe Streets Task Force: Cooperation Gets Results,”
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, March 2000, 1-6.
8 U.S. Department of Justice, National Drug Intelligence Center, National Street
Gang Survey Report (Johnstown, PA, 1998).
9 Lisa A. Regini, “Combating Gangs: The Need for Innovation,” FBI
Law Enforcement Bulletin, February 1998, 25-31.
Crime Data
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Serious Crime Figures Remain Relatively Unchanged According to preliminary statistics released by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, the Crime Index, composed of murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft, was relatively unchanged from 1999 figures. Compared with data from the previous year, these preliminary figures indicate that violent crime totals remained relatively unchanged with an increase of 0.1 percent, and property crime totals showed virtually no change. In the violent crime category, murder declined 1.1 percent and robbery registered a 0.7 percent decrease. Forcible rape and aggravated assault figures indicated an increase of 0.7 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively. In the property crime category, burglary decreased 2.1 percent from 1999 figures. Motor vehicle theft increased by 2.7 percent, and larceny-theft increased 0.1 percent when compared to 1999 data. Arson registered a decline of 0.6 percent. Regionally, law enforcement agencies in the Northeast and Midwest reported decreases in the Crime Index total with declines of 2.4 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively. In the West, a 1.1 percent increase was registered and a 1 percent increase was noted in the South. A comparison of 2000 and 1999 data showed that violent crime fell 1.7 percent in the Northeast and 0.7 percent in the Midwest. A 1.2 percent increase in violent crime was recorded in the West and an increase of 0.7 percent in the South. In both the South and the West, a 1 percent increase in property crimes was noted. Among cites, those with populations of 50,000 to 99,999 registered the largest decrease, 1.1 percent, in Index crime. Cities with populations of 25,000 to 49,999 and 100,000 to 249,999 recorded the greatest increase, 0.5 percent. Compared with the 1999 figures, data for 2000 showed that the Crime Index increased 0.7 percent in suburban counties and decreased 0.8 percent in rural counties. For the complete preliminary annual Uniform Crime Report press release, access the FBI’s Web site at http://www.fbi.gov. |
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