Audio Transcript

Mollie Halpern: The number of gang members in the United States has grown over the past two years. That’s just one of the findings in the 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment.

Jayne L. Challman: I would consider them a threat to our national security.

Halpern: I’m Mollie Halpern of the Bureau, and this is FBI, This Week. There are 1.4 million gang members that make up more than 33,000 gangs. Jayne Challman, section chief of the Violent Criminal Threat Section, says the increase is attributed to…

Challman: …improved reporting, more aggressive recruitment of juveniles and immigrants, advancements in technology and communication, the use of social networking sites…

Halpern: Gangs are forming new alliances and expanding their reach into crimes like alien smuggling, prostitution, and mortgage fraud.

Challman: They’re like any other business—they’re looking for ways in which to increase their revenue. It’s all about the money.

Halpern: The FBI addresses the gang threat with its 168 Safe Street Task Forces across the country.

Challman: Gangs are one of the FBI’s top priorities.

Halpern: That’s what’s happening at the FBI, This Week. For more information, visit www.fbi.gov.